Programs Director : Lesedi Community Projects
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
- Expires 31 Dec 2025
- Victoria Falls
- Full Time
Job Description
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
Location: Lesedi Schools & Clinic, Victoria Falls
The Opportunity
An exciting new role has arisen as Programs Director to lead, drive change and improve lives through
education, health and skills programs in rural communities near Victoria Falls.
Lesedi Community Projects (“LCP”) https://lesedizim.org/ currently supports:
• A primary and secondary school, providing high quality, inclusive education - from pre-school to
Form 4 - for nearly 500 learners, mainly from the local rural communities. There is particular
emphasis on teaching vocational skills through fully equipped training workshops.
• A fully staffed and equipped medical clinic provides quality health services to a wide catchment
area but needs to develop further to reach its full potential.
Further programs are likely, with the initial focus on expanding the vocational training that provide the
skills to allow local children and adults to thrive. All the projects are spread across a modern $1.5m
campus 13kms outside Victoria Falls, with over 50 staff and volunteers.
Following 12 years of school construction and growth, we are seeking an energetic, positive leader to
provide strategic leadership, oversight, partnership building and stakeholder engagement. The
physical assets are in place, but we are looking for an experienced hands-on leader to improve on all
aspects of how things are done on the ground and to deliver a step change improvement in the
positive impact that the programs are having.
The Programs Director will be responsible to the LCP Board for all aspects of the programs. Reports
will initially include two head teachers, a head nurse and a finance and operations manager. The
successful candidate will also need to work closely with the two School Development Committees.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key duties and responsibilities
• Strategic planning and execution: Develop and implement long-term strategies and new
program options, set goals, and evaluate the impact.
• Continuous improvement: Define and deliver high educational and other outcomes. Monitor and
drive improvements in the programs and the impact on all the stakeholders.
• Operational accountability and effectiveness: Set regular operational deliverables and
improvements across all programs with direct reports, monitoring and holding them to account for
delivery. Ensure that LCP and all programs have organisations, policies, systems, processes and
reporting that are efficient, fit for purpose and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Team leadership: Lead and develop high performance teams and ensure positive, inclusive and safe cultures across all programs.
• Financial management: secure diverse funding streams, prioritise resources between the different programs and ensure strong financial controls and budgetary discipline.
• Partnership building and advocacy: Be the highly visible leader of LCP to all stakeholders.
Cultivate meaningful relationships with government, communities, donors, NGOs and other organisations, and strongly advocate for its cause.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications and Experience
• At least 5 years of senior leadership experience in an NGO (preferably in the education sector)
and at least 10 years work experience in relevant sectors.
• A degree level holder. Additional relevant professional and other qualifications beyond a degree is
an added advantage.
• Proven track record of delivering high performance and change.
• Strong financial literacy and experience managing budgets. Ideally fundraising experience.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Proven experiences of building strong relationships with multiple stakeholders including donors
and rural communities.
Competencies
We are looking for someone who is energetic and hands-on, who is passionate about improving the
lives of others through education, skills development and health and is highly competent in:
• Leadership skills: The ability to build, inspire and lead high-performing teams.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: The ability to effectively work with colleagues, stakeholders and
partners to achieve shared goals.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: The ability to clearly express yourself and build
positive relationships through active listening, empathy, and respect.
• Decision making: The ability to analyze information comprehensively to make well-informed
decisions; assess both immediate and long-term ramifications.
• Effective Planning, Delivery and Follow Up: The ability to set clear goals and priorities; hold
direct reports to account; build a strong organization with effective policies, systems and
processes; be organized; consistently follow through on commitments and plans.
• Sense of Responsibility: The ability to own and be accountable for tasks and outcomes; uphold
reliability and commitment to fulfilling responsibilities; lead by example with integrity.
What we are offering
• A 2-year contract, renewable on positive performance
• An attractive benefits package, including an accommodation option
How to Apply
How to Apply:
Does this challenge appeal to you? Then we look forward to receiving your application to
fiona@ngoko.com. Interested applicants should submit:
• a CV (max. 3 pages), including 3 contactable referees
• a covering letter outlining your motivation and how you meet the requirements
• copies of academic and professional qualifications
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Closing Date: 31st December 2025
