Program Director at LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

Job Description

Position Re-advertised

Job Title: Program Director
Location: Living Water International Zambia, Lusaka
Reports to: Country Director

Job Summary:
Living Water International Zambia is seeking an exceptional, visionary, and results-driven Program Director to provide transformative leadership and strategic oversight for its national Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs. This senior executive role is ideal for a highly experienced and mission-aligned professional who combines deep technical expertise with proven leadership and management acumen to deliver high-impact, scalable, and sustainable development outcomes.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Program Director will lead the design, execution, and continuous improvement of WASH programs, ensuring they are technically sound, cost-effective, and aligned with both national development priorities and Living Water International’s global strategy. This role requires a transformational leader with strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and team development skills—capable of managing complex engineering projects, inspiring high-performing teams, and cultivating strategic partnerships across sectors.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in civil or construction engineering, backed by a master’s in business administration (MBA) or public health. A diploma holder in water engineering with a Master’s degree in Public Health or an MBA will also be considered.

The Program Director will play a pivotal role in driving program innovation, operational excellence, and institutional growth to expand access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services for vulnerable communities across Zambia.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Program Leadership & Oversight

Demonstrated success managing:

Multi-million dollar budgets
Donor compliance and reporting
Financial risk mitigation to safeguard program delivery and institutional integrity.

Skilled in:

Strategic oversight and Budgeting, cost-efficiency, and internal controls
Management and implementation of complex WASH or infrastructure programs with accountability and transparency
Developing resource mobilisation strategies
Strengthening internal controls and ensuring compliance with organisational, legal, and regulatory requirements.
Overseeing program implementation with a focus on quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring strong alignment between field activities and strategic objectives.
Institutionalising project management best practices, streamlining workflows, and improving coordination across teams.
Leading adaptive management processes that translate M&E insights into real-time program improvements.
Integrating climate-smart and environmentally sound engineering practices across program interventions.
Provide technical expertise in civil and construction engineering to support WASH infrastructure development, including borehole drilling, water supply systems, and sanitation facilities.
Lead planning, design, and execution of large-scale water and sanitation projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards, environmental sustainability, and government regulations.

2. Executive Team Leadership & Capacity Development

Provide visionary leadership to a multidisciplinary team, fostering a shared vision, strong team culture, and high levels of motivation and accountability.
Cultivate a leadership pipeline by identifying talent, building capacity, and mentoring senior staff to assume increased responsibilities.
Establish clear performance standards, conduct regular evaluations, and drive continuous learning and staff development initiatives.
Promote inclusive leadership practices that empower staff, encourage innovation, and support diversity and well-being.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic Visioning: Sets and drives long-term impactful strategies that generate transformative impact.
Influential Leadership: Leads through influence and builds consensus, and inspire diverse teams toward common goals. Must have a track record of leading management teams. Demonstrated excellence leading management-level teams as direct reports and experience in leading remote teams.
Operational Excellence: Focused on quality, cost-effectiveness, and accountability to optimise program performance, ensuring accountability, and delivering results under pressure.
Change Management: Comfortable navigating and leading through change. Adept at managing organisational change, fostering innovation, and driving institutional resilience.
Stakeholder Diplomacy: Strong interpersonal, communication, and representation skills. Strong communicator and negotiator with a proven track record of engaging high-level stakeholders.

3. Qualifications and Experience

Diploma in Water Engineering or Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering or Environmental Engineering
Master’s degree in Public Health or Business Administration (MBA
At least 5 years in senior leadership involving the management of technical teams especially civil and water engineers.
Experience overseeing large-scale WASH or infrastructure programs

Strong track record in:

Performance management and staff capacity development
Leading multidisciplinary teams (including remote leadership)
Driving organisational change, fostering innovation, and team resilience
Strategic thinker with the ability to:
Translate big-picture vision into operational excellence
Lead adaptive management and evidence-based program improvement

Core Technical Competencies

Strong technical expertise in:

Civil and construction engineering, especially for WASH infrastructure
Borehole drilling, water supply systems, and sanitation systems

Ability to:

Interpret and validate, e.g. Bills of Quantities (BOQs)
Conduct and oversee feasibility studies, technical assessments, and quality assurance
Design and manage climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable infrastructure

Solid grasp of:

Zambian WASH policy and regulatory frameworks
Project cycle management, monitoring & evaluation, and engineering for development.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations

Proven ability to:

Represent programs with donors, governments, and partners
Influence WASH policy at national or regional platforms
Mobilise strategic partnerships and community/church engagement
Diplomatic and persuasive communicator with excellent negotiation skills
Represent LWI Zambia in key sector platforms, leveraging influence to shape policy and advocate for increased investment in WASH.

5. Personal Attributes

A practicing Christian, evidenced by supporting documentation from their local church.
Ethical, accountable, and passionate about servant leadership, as evidenced by service in their local church.
Mission-driven and resilient with a deep commitment to improve lives through sustainable WASH solutions.
Experience in mobilising the church and community, and able to provide a positive Christian witness to these key stakeholders.
Resilient and adaptive leader capable of navigating complexity with confidence and composure.
Collaborative and self-motivated
Role model of integrity, excellence, and faith in action

6. Application Process
Please provide a two-page CV with a minimum of three (3) references (two professional references from immediate work supervisors and one from a spiritual leader), and a daytime telephone contact number. Please indicate current and expected remuneration (gross salary and benefits). Please indicate “ Application for Program Director – Lusaka” in the subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Please send your application to [email protected] by 23.59 pm on Saturday, 26th April 2025.