Programs Director

Reporting to the Senior Director Programs Africa, the Program Director is accountable for overall strategic supervision and management of Habitat for Humanity Lesotho. To provide leadership across all the projects in the program portfolio in close collaboration with other functional units like finance, administration and fundraising. This position will be responsible for the growth and development of the existing programs in HFHL, consistent with organizational standards and strategic goals of providing housing and housing support services to low-income families. The Program Director will work with development partners, HFHI’s Area Office, HFHL Senior Management Team, board and board committees, to define the mission and goals of the organization, prioritize suitable projects and devise strategies to implement multiple projects, in alignment with Habitat for Humanity (HFH) mission, 50/50 HFHI Global Strategy, Africa Strategy Framework; National Affiliation Agreements (NAA), Partnership Covenant, Core Operating Standards and Core Program Standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic leadership and representation
* Provide overall strategic and technical leadership in the design, development, planning, budgeting and implementation of the Programme Strategy.
* Initiate, coordinate and lead HFHL’s programming, ensuring it delivers on HFH vision and objectives and championing the innovative ways of working envisioned in its Program Strategy.
* Encourage a culture of learning and innovation, ensuring that all projects capture and document lessons learned and best practices.
* Oversee and support grant compliance and donor reporting on grant-funded projects.
* Participate fully in the annual budget process, leading the programs budgeting process, and provide ongoing oversight and management of program budgets.
* Keep abreast with and contribute to HFH’s global initiatives and trends.
* Provide thought leadership internally by establishing, evolving, and driving the execution of HFHL’s vision and priorities.
* Represent HFHL in key external platforms as appropriate or as may be delegated by the Board Chair and/Senior Director Programs.

Lead program development and delivery
* Ensure the delivery of the various programs with demonstrable impact and be accountable for overall programme quality and learning.
* Overseeing the design of tools and processes for quarterly reflections that ensure the team is making progress against priorities and organizational outcomes.
* Convene regular Grant Review Meetings to maintain the alignment of programme implementation and spending.
* Oversee the development of the programs and project improvement plans, to ensure effective and timely implementation of the projects and programs.
* Work closely with the Senior Director Programs Africa and AO SMEs to identify opportunities for funding and access to different resources to ensure the financial sustainability of the country programme.
* Build and develop an approach to program quality, knowledge production and dissemination.
* Ensure good levels of partner engagement in programming through meeting Partners’ needs in reporting, marketing, involvement in supporting the program strategy and making use of partner knowledge and subject expertise.

People Management and Safeguarding
* Provide proper supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective and coordinated programme team.
* Manage the program team to deliver on the programme strategy, providing leadership and guidance and ensuring that the management of the team is in line with HFHL’s HR policies and procedures.
* Identify necessary staff development and succession planning strategies for direct reports.
* Develop a team learning agenda that deepens engagement and understanding of insights and priorities, strengthens team culture and collaboration, and addresses team development needs.
* Create safeguarding awareness with project partners and ensure development and implementation of effective and usable community feedback mechanisms.
* Work closely with AO HR Director and Business Partner in promoting a safe, inclusive and diverse work environment.
* Encourage open, honest conversations and feedback on safeguarding with all stakeholders.
* Participate in Senior Management Team meetings.
* As per delegated functions within HFHL Delegation of Authority (DOA) authorize and approve requisitions and payments
* Carry out other reasonable duties, as directed/delegated by the Board Chair and Senior Director Programs, in alignment with the organization’s mandate.

Minimum Required Qualifications:
* Advanced degree, preferably master’s in a development field, project management, urban planning, business management, or related field.
* Postgraduate training in financial management and project management an asset.
* At least 10 years progressive experience in a similar position preferably in the land management, physical planning and urban development.
* Critical focus on providing a superior service level to managers and colleagues and delivering agreed results within time and budget constraints and to expected standards.
* Understanding of housing issues in Lesotho, particularly in relation to housing & development.
* Demonstrated analytic capacity and writing ability at a superior level.
* Proven experience including in-depth understanding of designing logical frameworks and theory of change for complex, multi-year projects and leading teams in formulating strategies and action plans.
* Excellent English language skills (written, reading and spoken).

HOW TO APPLY
Interested Candidates should send their CVs and a cover letter expressing their interest via email: [email protected] with HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LESOTHO- PROGRAMS DIRECTOR as the subject of the email. The closing date for applications is on 7th May 2026