Programmes Director Sierra Leone

About GOAL

GOAL has been working in Sierra Leone since 1999, with its country office in Freetown. Our programmes support communities across Sierra Leone, with a focus on building resilience and delivering sustainable impact across areas including health, WASH, food security and protection.

About the role

GOAL is seeking an experienced Programme Director to lead the delivery and development of our programme portfolio in Sierra Leone.

Reporting to the Country Director and sitting on the Senior Management Team, you will lead programme strategy, quality and performance, manage senior programme staff, oversee budgets and donor requirements, and support the development of new programmes and funding opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and delivery of GOAL’s programmes in Sierra Leone.
• Manage and support senior programme staff and drive strong programme performance.
• Oversee programme quality, budgets, grants and donor compliance.
• Identify and develop new programme and funding opportunities.
• Represent GOAL with donors, government, UN agencies and other partners.
• Work closely with Finance, HR, Procurement and Operations to support effective programme delivery.
• Monitor programme risks and ensure strong safeguarding, accountability and compliance.

About you

• Significant senior programme leadership experience in humanitarian or international development settings.
• Experience managing complex programmes, senior teams and substantial budgets.
• Strong grant, donor and financial management experience.
• Experience working with government, donors and external partners.
• Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable 

• An existing right to work in Sierra Leone would be advantageous, but is not a requirement for the role.

We strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single requirement listed. At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment.hq@goal.ie.

GOAL commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We foster an inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued, and we are particularly eager to receive applications from women and other underrepresented groups. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

All employees share responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee, volunteer or applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Accountability within GOAL

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to:

1. Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
2. Report concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, or wrongdoing within our programming.
3. Report concerns regarding inappropriate behaviour by GOAL staff or partners.

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury or any other harm.

GOAL demonstrates its ongoing commitment to safeguarding through rigorous background and reference checks as part of the selection process for all candidates.

General Terms and Conditions

This Job Description serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.