Head of Programmes, Madagascar

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is currently looking for a Head of Programmes (HOP) to ensure responsive programme development, implementation and strategic direction in Madagascar.

About PAH:

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is an international non-governmental organization which since 1992 has been providing humanitarian and development help worldwide. So far, the interventions have been carried out in 52 different countries. By possessing long-standing expertise in the implementation of projects in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security and Livelihoods, Shelter NFI, as well as Protection and Education, PAH concentrates its global activities on ensuring sustainable and stable development of regions suffering from the consequences of armed conflicts, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

PAH has been present in Madagascar since May 2022 implementing mutli-year development projects to the most vulnerable populations affected by cyclical drought in the southern regions of the country. PAH provides assistance in the sectors of WASH, Livelihoods Agriculture and food security.

For more information, please refer to www.pah.org.pl

General information:

Position: Head of Programmes

Position reports to: Country Director

Technical supervisor: Global Head of Programmes

Location: Fort Dauphin (Madagascar) with travel to program locations

Job terms: full time

Type of employment: Employment contract

Starting date: September 1st, 2025

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Programme Strategy & Development

• Contributes to the mission’s strategy, creates / revises programme strategy in a collaborative manner: gathers inputs, assesses and analyses; presents the findings to CD/HQ HoP; shares the strategy with their team and periodically reevaluates it
• Creates annual programme budget and monitors it
• Identifies sources for programme funding chosen in accordance with strategic goals
• Is responsible for drafting and submitting project proposals in accordance with the country office strategy and organizational expertise
• Initiates and leads the assessments for new projects, as well as rapid response to new humanitarian situations, if resources allow
• Takes the lead in the planning and kick-off of new projects according to PAH project cycle management guidelines

Programme Quality Assurance

• Defines the common approach and standards across PAH programmes and monitors their coherent application
• Fosters synergies between programme areas where possible (integrated approach), supports the integration of cross-cutting issues throughout all initiatives and ensures adherence to Sphere and international standards
• Regularly initiates revision of PAH programme documentation, analyses gaps, in cooperation with project and M&E teams, develops necessary tools; shares them across programmes
• Gathers / Documents programme lessons learned and best practices for dissemination within PAH mission, to donors and to other stakeholders, when relevant, in order to ensure synergetic programming and cross-programme collaboration in PAH
• Engages in organizational policy building related to programmes in the country
• Ensures the respect of humanitarian principles in PAH programmes

Programme Implementation & Coordination

• Ensures projects in the mission are implemented in line with PAH project cycle management guidelines
• Sets up planning tools for projects to be able to monitor overall implementation of strategy and projects (deadlines, budgets, indicators)
• Manages the common part of the programme budget (programme related salaries, programme training,)
• Manages programme related information (unification of tools, creation of databases etc.)
• Together with other departments analyses costs and searches for ways of cost optimization

Representation – represents PAH in front of stakeholders

• Participates in meetings with key partners, project stakeholders, donors and prospective donors; delegates or actively participates in cluster meetings and WG meetings, if needed; establishes new WGs, if needed
• Communicates regularly (and delegates communication to Project Coordinators as appropriate) with key institutional donors to ensure smooth cooperation and swift resolution of problems

Program Staff Management and Capacity Building

• Is ultimately responsible for the recruitment process of all programme staff.
• Reviews and modifies the organigram for the program department as needed. He/She ensures the right people are at the right place to carry out all program activities
• He/ She ensures the salary grid for PAH Madagascar national staff is adhered to and the Malagasy Labour Code is followed in all recruitment procedures by collaborating with the HR Lead
• Leads programme team meetings and assigns tasks to programme staff; regularly monitors their performance including periodic programme staff performance evaluations Agrees workplans and deliverables
• Ensures all programme staff follow regular trainings to improve their skills and expertise.
• Motivates the programme team and creates a culture of cooperation and learning
• Develops overall staff competence through leadership, training and coaching of technical and management of programme staff

Cooperation – cooperates with other departments in the Country Office

• Establishes a proactive, solutions- driven approach to cross departmental cooperation, notably finance, logistics and MEAL. Acts as Programmes representative at senior management level; collaborating and cooperating with the other department leads through open, regular communication,

Other

• Fulfills other duties assigned by direct supervisor(s) including acting as Deputy as required by the Country Director.

The successful candidate will be selected based on the qualification requirements described below:

Required:

• The HoP should have a minimum of 5- 7 years progressively responsible experience (including3 years in senior management positions)
• Experience in leading and managing WASH, Livelihoods and other humanitarian and recovery projects (minimum 4 years) within difficult operating environments
• University degree, preferably in humanitarian or development field
• Experience in developing innovative programming with components of climate change adaptation and mitigation approach. Other cross-cutting, quality components are an asset
• Experience with developing and managing development programmes
• Documented successes in applying for institutional and private funds for humanitarian and development programmes, with quality grant writing, donor networking
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and French (at least C1)

Preferred:

• Previous working experience in Madagascar is an asset.

• Strong communication skills in culturally diverse environments

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

  Strong administrative and organizational skills

What PAH offers:

• Work experience with professional and flexible international NGO, which is one of the largest NGOs in the Central-Eastern Europe
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and motivated team
• Possibility for professional development
• Annual leave of 26 working days and 5 additional days of free leave
• Accommodation allowance
• Small family duty station (applicable for 1 family member/partner)
• Medical insurance (including Emergency Evacuation)
• Psychological Support Package