Head of Programmes

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week

Location: Maputo, Mozambique

Salary: MZN 4,933,265 - MZN 6,519,171 per year with excellent benefits

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the Team

The programme team leads the operationalisation of the Country Programme Strategy through the development of integrated programmes and projects that produce significant impact, effectiveness, and transformative change on a large scale, encompassing both policy and practice. They have responsibility for the overall management and quality assurance of WaterAid Mozambique’s WASH programmes, aligning them with the organisation’s strategy and programme standards.

About the Role

The Head of Programmes (HOP) role is to provide strategic programme direction, managerial and programme leadership, and oversight on all aspects of strategy development, programme development and management in climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene, including a significant component of public health programmes and projects. S/he is responsible for strategic programme leadership of programmes, programme design, management, quality assurance, grants compliance and partner support. S/he will provide oversight of the quality of the programmes that reflect adherence to global and WaterAid standards and donor guidelines, while fostering innovation to improve effectiveness and impact, ensuring the delivery and overall success of WaterAid’s Country Programme Strategy (2023-2028).

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic programme direction for the design of the Country Programme strategic frameworks and plans, including the development of resource plans to optimise the impact of programme interventions in line with the Country Strategy and WaterAid’s regional and global strategic priorities.
• Play a key role in shaping strategic programme direction, decision-making processes, and corporate governance. Uphold the WaterAid brand, while addressing development issues specific to Mozambique and other management-related issues.
• Lead on the development & execution of high-quality programmes incorporating WaterAid’s programmatic approach that include Systems Strengthening Approach, Gender transformative WASH, Hygiene Behavioural-Centred Approach and quality standards; and ensure Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) methods are applied appropriately to project scope, context, and technical needs
• Collaborate closely with the health sector to empower them to prioritise Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives and embed hygiene practices as fundamental pillars of public health.
• Integrate Climate Resilient WASH principles into project design and implementation strategies to enhance the resilience of WASH systems and infrastructure to climate change impacts approach into all aspects of our work. Provide technical guidance and capacity building support to staff and partners on systems strengthening principles, methodologies, and best practice.
• Lead on grant management and any contractual compliance related to restricted projects are fully committed to by all involved, effectively monitored and evaluated, and that appropriate plans for meeting them are made and actioned.
• Work in collaboration with Funding team design quality proposals/concept notes proposals that are responsive to donor requirements and speak to CP’s strategic priorities, experience and lessons learned
• Provide effective team management and leadership ensuring performance of team members and motivate them to develop and perform at their best and at the highest level of their potential

Requirements

To be successful, you’ll need:

• Minimum of a master’s degree in WASH, Public Health, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Development Studies or any other relevant discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressive managerial experience at senior levels, with strong relationship management skills. Ability to relate to people at all levels, both internally and externally.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in strengthening elements of WASH systems with an understanding of WASH interaction with other systems such as health, climate change, education, and economic development.
• Experience of project and programme design & management; and programme cycle management, with significant financial and budget management responsibility
• Proven experience of leading, developing and implementing a WASH strategy.
• Strategic and operational planning experience, experience in developing country and programme strategies and multi-sectoral development programmes
• Experience in managing restricted grants and donor compliance
• Experience in developing project/programme proposals for raising resources from institutional donors, philanthropies & foundations including private sector
• Strong negotiation, influencing and networking skill
• Experience of managing and building high-performing teams
• Good knowledge of development context, especially as they relate to water, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries or the Mozambique context.
• Proven experience and knowledge of programme design, development, and implementation processes as it relates to WASH or a combination of WASH and Health Sectors
• Excellent oral and written report writing and communication skills (including report writing) in English and Portuguese

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Good knowledge of the Government of Mozambique’s development policies and strategies, as they relate to achieving universal access to WASH, WASH in Public health, and WASH and Climate Change.
• Experience leading robust public health programmes that cover disease burden, disease outbreaks, preventive health and hygiene programmes and health systems as well as climate-resilient WASH programming.
• Understanding of social inclusion issues to ensure the most marginalised people excluded from WASH are identified, targeted and benefit from system strengthening efforts.

View Full Job Description here

Closing date: Applications will close 12:00 PM UK time on 7th September 2026.

How to Apply: Click Apply to answer the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy.

Benefits

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies. These will be shared during the process. 

Our People Promise 

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values. 

Equal Opportunities 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation. 

Safeguarding 

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks). 

Together, we’ll change the world through water.  

Join us and be part of the change!