Program Lead

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International is an international non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters. Established to save lives and promote long-term health and well-being, Relief International operates in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization focuses on providing essential services in Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods, thereby creating a foundation for community resilience. Relief International is committed to building a representative and inclusive workplace, encouraging applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences relevant to the contexts in which they work.

Job Overview:
The Program Lead position is a field-based role that requires frequent travel across various locations in Sudan. This is a six-month fixed-term international position set to commence on March 1, 202

• The Program Lead will provide strategic leadership and full accountability for a fast-paced, multi-state emergency response program that encompasses Health, Nutrition, WASH, and Protection. Reporting directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">country director, the Program Lead will be responsible for central coordination and management of all program implementation, ensuring integrated planning, prioritization, and timely delivery of services across states. The role demands rigorous adherence to donor compliance, proactive risk management, and strong performance oversight in alignment with donor requirements. The successful candidate will be expected to navigate complex humanitarian contexts and drive effective program delivery under pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Lead will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Providing overall strategic leadership and accountability for the six-month multi-state response program across Health, Nutrition, WASH, and Protection.
• Serving as the primary management and coordination lead for all program implementation activities.
• Overseeing integrated planning and prioritization of activities across states to ensure coherent and timely delivery within compressed timelines.
• Ensuring full compliance with donor regulations, managing risks effectively, and maintaining performance oversight.
• Coordinating closely with country-level support functions and field-level program teams to address implementation bottlenecks and escalate critical issues as necessary.
• Engaging in proactive communication and collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate program success and mitigate challenges.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate proven ability to provide strategic leadership for complex, multisector humanitarian responses. Strong experience in managing large donor-funded programs is essential. The role requires excellent spoken and written English and French skills. Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in coordinating Health, Nutrition, WASH, and Protection interventions in emergency contexts. Skills in integrated planning, prioritization, and rapid decision-making under tight timelines are crucial. A deep understanding of donor compliance, risk management, and performance oversight requirements is also necessary. Excellent coordination and communication skills are required for effective collaboration with country-level support functions and field teams. A track record of identifying implementation bottlenecks and driving timely, practical solutions is highly valued.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not detailed in the job description, candidates are generally expected to possess a relevant degree in fields such as public health, international development, or a related discipline. Advanced degrees may be preferred, particularly for leadership roles in complex humanitarian settings.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience in humanitarian response, particularly in managing large-scale programs funded by major donors. Candidates should have a proven track record of strategic leadership in emergency contexts, with experience in multi-sectoral programming. The ability to work effectively under pressure and manage high-stakes environments is essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in spoken and written English and French is mandatory for this position. Additional language skills relevant to the regions in which Relief International operates may be considered advantageous but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This is a six-month fixed-term position with a focus on emergency response. The role is classified as requiring advanced pre-employment checks, including criminal records self-declaration, references, and other checks that may include police and qualifications verification. Relief International emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct. The organization encourages applications from candidates from minoritized backgrounds and those who may not meet every single requirement but are excited about the role.