Job Description

Head of Programmes

Company: Mercy Corps

Location: Juba, South Sudan

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: Programmes & Strategic Development

Experience Required: 10–15+ Years

Salary: USD 9,000 – 14,500 per month (depending on qualifications, donor portfolio management experience, and leadership background)

Contract Type: Full-Time, Renewable

Reports To: Country Director

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a globally recognized international development and humanitarian organization operating in more than 40 countries. The organization works to strengthen communities through economic development, food security, resilience building, youth empowerment, governance improvement, climate adaptation, and emergency response programmes.

Mercy Corps is seeking a highly experienced Head of Programmes to provide strategic leadership for a diverse portfolio of development and humanitarian projects across South Sudan. This role is ideal for professionals seeking jobs in South Sudan, senior programme management jobs in Juba, and executive leadership opportunities within the international development sector.

Position Overview

The Head of Programmes will lead programme strategy, oversee project implementation, manage donor relationships, supervise senior programme staff, and ensure the delivery of high-impact interventions that achieve measurable results.

The successful candidate will be responsible for strengthening programme quality, driving innovation, ensuring compliance, and expanding strategic partnerships across government, donor, private-sector, and civil society stakeholders.

Professionals interested in NGO jobs in South Sudan and international development jobs in Juba will find this role particularly attractive due to its regional influence and leadership scope.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Develop and oversee the country programme strategy.
• Ensure programme alignment with organizational objectives and donor priorities.
• Lead annual programme planning and performance reviews.
• Identify opportunities for programme expansion and new funding.
• Drive innovation and evidence-based decision-making across all projects.

Candidates searching for Head of Programmes jobs in South Sudan and country programme manager jobs in Juba will have the opportunity to influence large-scale development initiatives.

Programme Quality & Delivery

• Oversee implementation of multi-sector projects.
• Ensure projects meet targets, timelines, and quality standards.
• Strengthen programme monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems.
• Promote adaptive management approaches across programme portfolios.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies.

Team Management & Leadership

• Lead programme managers, technical advisors, and sector specialists.
• Build leadership capacity within programme teams.
• Conduct performance reviews and support staff development.
• Foster collaboration across departments and project locations.
• Strengthen organizational culture and accountability.

Professionals pursuing senior management jobs in South Sudan and programme director jobs in Juba will gain significant executive leadership experience.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Mercy Corps at donor meetings and coordination forums.
• Build partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and private-sector actors.
• Support strategic advocacy and policy engagement initiatives.
• Strengthen collaboration with local implementing partners.

Business Development & Fundraising

• Lead proposal development for institutional donors.
• Identify funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Support donor engagement and resource mobilization efforts.
• Contribute to growth strategies and portfolio expansion.

Education Requirements

Applicants should possess:

• Master’s Degree in International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, or a related field.
• Advanced professional certifications in Programme Management, Leadership, Monitoring & Evaluation, or Development Practice are highly desirable.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible programme management experience.
• At least 5 years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven success managing large donor-funded programmes.
• Experience working with USAID, FCDO, European Union, World Bank, UN agencies, or major foundations.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, programme oversight, and organizational leadership.

This position is highly relevant for professionals seeking development sector jobs in South Sudan and programme leadership jobs in Juba.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Programme Leadership
• Portfolio Management
• Donor Compliance & Reporting
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Budget Oversight
• Risk Management
• Team Development
• Business Development
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Organizational Leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in fragile and conflict-affected environments.
• Strong understanding of South Sudan’s humanitarian and development landscape.
• Experience managing multi-sector programmes.
• Knowledge of resilience, governance, livelihoods, and humanitarian programming.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

Career Development Opportunities

Mercy Corps invests heavily in leadership development and professional growth. Employees gain access to international conferences, executive coaching, advanced management training, and global networking opportunities.

Professionals interested in broader East African career opportunities often monitor openings through Director of Programmes Jobs in Tanzania while exploring regional programme leadership positions.

Compensation & Benefits

The selected candidate will receive:

• Competitive international salary package.
• Comprehensive medical and life insurance.
• Housing and relocation assistance.
• Annual leave and travel benefits.
• Pension contributions.
• Professional development funding.
• Executive leadership training.
• International mobility opportunities.

Individuals searching for executive jobs in South Sudan and international NGO jobs in Juba will find substantial long-term career prospects within this position.

Work Environment

The role requires close collaboration with senior government officials, donors, development partners, community leaders, and technical experts. Travel to programme locations throughout South Sudan may be required.

Candidates interested in project director jobs in South Sudan, operations leadership jobs in Juba, and country management jobs will thrive in this dynamic environment.

For additional information regarding employment opportunities and professional careers in South Sudan, candidates may review positions available through Director of Programmes Jobs in South Sudan.

Training & Professional Development

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• Executive Leadership Programmes
• Strategic Management Training
• Donor Compliance Certification
• Financial Management Workshops
• Advanced Programme Design Courses
• Monitoring & Evaluation Leadership Training

Many senior professionals also review opportunities available through Director of Programmes Jobs in Zambia to understand regional development trends and leadership vacancies.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants should submit:

• Updated CV/Resume
• Cover Letter
• Academic Certificates
• Professional Certifications
• Three Professional References

Equal Opportunity Statement

Mercy Corps is committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity employment. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Professionals interested in exploring broader international development opportunities across Africa may additionally review vacancies published through Director of Programmes Jobs in Morocco as part of their long-term career planning.