Head of Programs

Would you like to be part of improving the livelihoods of more than 2 million households and capturing more than 80 million tons of CO2 in the process? We are seeking a passionate and motivated individual to join us in making positive impacts on communities and the environment!

The Organisation

The Global EverGreening Alliance (GEA) is an international NGO that coordinates the development and implementation of large-scale land restoration programs.

Its members include World Vision, CARE International, Oxfam, Catholic Relief Services, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, the World Resources Institute and The World Agroforestry Centre.

The Global Evergreening Alliance was established to create and apply long-term solutions to the global problems of land degradation and climate change. This is done through a collaborative approach with an emphasis on evergreening practices and regenerative farming that integrates trees into crop and livestock production systems of smallholder farms. In June 2022, the Alliance launched Restore Africa, the largest community-based land restoration program in Africa. More than 1,8 million hectares of degraded land will be restored through sustainable land management practices in six countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda, improving the livelihoods of more than 2 million households and capturing more than 80 million tons of CO2 in the process.

Position Summary

The Global Evergreening Alliance is seeking a highly motivated and driven Head of Programs to oversee the strategic development, implementation, and delivery of all Global Evergreening Alliance projects internationally. This role will be responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the organisation’s programmatic operation functions/teams, including Project Development and Partnerships (PDP), Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (RMEL) and Program Implementation to ensure that all projects are aligned with the organisation’s mission, delivered on time and within budget, meet or exceed targets, and meet the highest standards of environmental, cultural, and community safeguarding.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:

• Work with the CEO and senior leadership team to define, refine and implement the organisation’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Contribute to operational planning, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements and long-term strategic objectives.

Operational Excellence:

• Advise on and oversee the organisation’s operational systems, models, processes and infrastructure to ensure they are scalable, efficient, standardised and responsive to the needs of the organisation.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for tracking operational success and impact.

Program Development and Management:

• Oversee the lifecycle of all projects, from design and funding through to implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Act as advisor and sounding board to the CEO in funding contract negotiations, ensuring the terms of funding agreements are compatible with organisational strategy, policies and capabilities. 
• Oversee global programs and field operations, to ensure that projects are executed effectively, efficiently and in line with the requirements of contracts and organisational priorities.
• Ensure projects meet timelines, financial targets and environmental sustainability goals.
• Work effectively with all relevant internal and external stakeholders to identify challenges, develop solutions and manage project risks.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Foster a culture of collaboration and alignment, ensuring teams work together to contribute effectively to achieve shared organisational goals. 
• Support and guide regional stakeholders and project staff to ensure operational consistency across diverse geographical regions.

Resource Management and Growth:

• Identify operational gaps and resource needs, to ensure the organisation is prepared for growth and expansion of the project pipeline and regional focus.
• Build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that operational decisions align with relevant expectations and requirements.

Financial and Budgetary Oversight:

• Oversee the development and implementation of project budgets, ensuring the proper allocation of resources is aligned with financial controls.
• Monitor financial performance to ensure alignment with relevant budgets, contractual obligations and strategic and operational goals.
• Provide advice to the finance team to support the continual improvement of financial systems and processes for optimal program delivery. 

Talent Development and Management:

• Lead and mentor operational teams, ensuring that leaders are equipped to manage growing teams and projects effectively.
• Champion the development of talent, fostering an inclusive and dynamic work environment that encourages collaboration and professional growth.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Oversee compliance with international regulations, environmental standards, and organisational policies.
• Manage operational risks, ensuring that appropriate mitigation strategies are in place and continually improved.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Ensure that all projects and initiatives are effectively monitored and evaluated for impact, using data and evidence to inform continuous improvement.
• Ensure that approaches to monitoring continually improve and reduce risk, reflecting internal technical capacity, emerging and evolving technologies, and opportunities to leverage strategic partnerships.
• Provide regular updates to the CEO, Board and other relevant parties on operational performance and impact, including the development of executive reports for board updates.

Key Selection Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. degree in relevant subject such as Project Management and/or Environmental Science).
• A minimum of two years proven success in a leadership role with multi-disciplinary teams and complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• A minimum of ten years’ experience in a relevant position and industry. 
• A proven track record of building, engaging and developing high performance teams in an international context. Leading with certainty and providing a role model of consistency to the organisation.
• Ability to maintain rapport to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including the ability to be both supportive and challenging as needed, but effectively cooperating for needed change.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive change and inspire teams.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong technical literacy in subject areas that are core to the work of program teams.
• Strong financial literacy, with experience in managing project and team budgets, resource allocation, risk and timelines. 
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across cultures and sectors.
• Ability to analyse data, performance metrics, and business models to assess and quickly understand the relevant parameters, risks and challenges within a novel industry. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, balancing multiple priorities and projects.
• Strong knowledge of risk management and compliance in international project settings.

How To Apply!

Click the ‘Apply’ button to submit an application. Please include your resume and a cover letter clearly addressing the Key Selection Criteria. 
Only candidates who address the selection criteria will be considered for shortlisting. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 
Please note, the right to work in Australia is required for this role. 

If you have any questions, please contact hr@evergreening.org

The Global Evergreening Alliance has zero tolerance for child abuse, discrimination, harassment, and workplace bullying. All staff, including volunteers, are required to sign an acknowledgement and adhere strictly to the organisation’s child protection, safeguarding and other policies. In addition, the successful applicant will need to provide a recent Australian Police Record Check and a current Working with Children Check card.