Director of Programs

About the role

The Director of Programs (DoP) is the senior technical and programmatic leader of iDE Zambia, reporting to the Country Director. The DoP provides strategic leadership across the organization’s portfolio, ensuring that all interventions are market‑driven, evidence‑based and aligned with iDE’s Market Systems Development approach.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the full program lifecycle, from opportunity assessment to close‑out.
• Ensure technical rigor, quality and measurable impact of all programs across agriculture, food systems, climate resilience, WASH, enterprise development and financial inclusion.
• Partner with the Country Director on program strategy, operational performance and long‑term growth.
• Oversee adaptive management, learning, reporting and responsible stewardship of donor resources.
• Represent iDE Zambia with government agencies, private‑sector partners, donors and development stakeholders.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in international development, preferably with market‑systems or value‑chain approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large, multi‑sector portfolios and deliver results in complex environments.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a track record of evidence‑based decision‑making.
• Excellent communication and partnership‑building abilities.

Required skills