Program and Sponsorship Director – ChildFund Sierra Leone

Job Overview

ChildFund International is seeking a highly experienced Program and Sponsorship Director to lead strategic program delivery, sponsorship systems, and resource mobilization in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

This senior leadership role focuses on program design, donor engagement, MEAL systems, safeguarding, and multi-sector development leadership, ensuring long-term impact for children and communities across the country.

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Job Details

• Organization: ChildFund International
• Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
• Job Type: Full Time (Fixed Term)
• Reporting To: Country Director
• Work Environment: On-site
• Sector: International Development / Child Protection / NGO Leadership / Program Management

Job Description (JD)

The Program and Sponsorship Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all programmatic and sponsorship operations, ensuring high-quality implementation, strong donor relationships, and measurable impact aligned with ChildFund’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Design (25%)

• Lead design of evidence-based and community-focused development programs
• Align programs with Country Strategic Plan (CSP) and donor priorities
• Build strategic partnerships with NGOs, governments, and development actors
• Represent ChildFund in coordination forums and sector working groups

Business Development & Resource Mobilization (35%)

• Drive fundraising and donor engagement strategies
• Lead high-quality proposal development for donors such as EU, UN, FCDO, USG, and foundations
• Strengthen partnerships and consortia for funding opportunities
• Coordinate with global and regional business development teams

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Program Implementation, MEAL & Quality Assurance (35%)

• Oversee delivery of complex multi-sector development programs
• Ensure compliance with donor and organizational standards
• Lead Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) systems
• Ensure program quality, KPIs, and impact measurement frameworks
• Strengthen adaptive management and learning systems
• Maintain updated risk registers and mitigation plans

Team Leadership & Capacity Building (5%)

• Lead, mentor, and develop program teams
• Promote cross-functional collaboration across departments
• Strengthen staff skills in program design, MEAL, and resource mobilization
• Foster an inclusive and high-performance culture

Education Requirements

• Advanced degree in:
  • Development Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Public Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Or related field

Experience Required

• Minimum 10+ years progressive leadership experience in INGOs or development organizations
• Strong experience in:
  • Program design and implementation
  • MEAL systems and impact evaluation
  • Donor-funded project management
  • Multi-sector development programming
• Experience managing large multicultural teams and complex programs
• Proven track record in grant acquisition and donor relations

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Skills & Competencies

• Strategic planning and organizational leadership
• Strong business development and proposal writing skills
• Expertise in child protection and safeguarding frameworks
• MEAL systems design and data-driven decision-making
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership building
• Financial oversight and risk management
• Strong communication and negotiation abilities

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive international NGO executive salary
• Full benefits package (insurance, leave, allowances)
• Leadership exposure across global ChildFund network
• Career development in international humanitarian leadership
• Opportunity to influence large-scale child development programs

Training & Development

• Advanced leadership and governance training
• MEAL system design and program analytics
• Donor compliance and grant management
• Safeguarding and child protection frameworks
• Strategic partnership and resource mobilization skills

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Updated CV
• Cover Letter highlighting leadership and program experience

Closing Note

This role is ideal for senior professionals specializing in NGO leadership, child protection programs, international development strategy, donor-funded project management, and MEAL systems, driving impactful change for children and communities in Sierra Leone.