Ipas Program Support Director: 100% Remote Senior Leadership Opportunity in Africa | Apply by 31 October 2026
Experienced nonprofit and international development professionals can apply for a senior remote leadership opportunity with Ipas as a Program Support Director – Francophone & Lusophone Africa. The position offers the opportunity to provide strategic leadership and programme support across multiple country programmes while working entirely remotely.
The role is 100% remote, with candidates able to work from several eligible African countries. West Africa-based candidates are preferred, while the application deadline is 31 October 2026.
100% Remote Program Support Director Opportunity
The Program Support Director is a senior leadership position within Ipas’s Global Program Support Team. The successful candidate will act as a strategic thought partner to Regional Directors, Country Directors and other leaders across the organisation.
The Director will provide strategic leadership, technical guidance and operational oversight to approximately four to five regional or country programmes. The position also supervises between three and five direct reports, including Country Directors, Regional Directors and Senior Program Managers.
Working closely with senior leaders, the Director will help strengthen organisational effectiveness, programme quality, risk management and leadership capacity. The role also serves as an important connection between global teams and regional or country offices, supporting cross-learning and effective leadership.
Key Responsibilities
The Program Support Director will help regional and country leadership advance organisational priorities and strengthen strategic decision-making. The role involves ensuring that programmes remain aligned with the organisation’s mission, values, strategic framework, policies and quality standards.
A major part of the position focuses on programme quality, stewardship and support. The Director will provide high-level guidance on programme and project management, help teams address challenges and support compliance with organisational policies, donor requirements, local laws and regulations.
The successful candidate will also serve as a trusted adviser to Regional Directors and Country Directors. Responsibilities include supporting adaptive management, leadership effectiveness, collaboration and cross-organisational learning.
Additional duties include contributing to strategic plans, annual work plans, operating budgets and high-priority deliverables, as well as supporting country programme start-ups, scale-ups and close-outs.
Donor Compliance and Risk Management
Strong experience with donor-funded programmes will be important in this position. The Program Support Director will support leaders managing complex donor portfolios and help strengthen compliance systems, decision-making and coordination.
The Director may also contribute to proposal development, donor briefings and strategic partnerships. New business opportunities should align with regional and country strategies, technical excellence, innovation and responsible stewardship of funding.
Risk management is another important responsibility. The successful candidate will help identify and mitigate programme, operational and reputational risks. The position also supports safeguarding, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, ethical programming, gender equality and inclusion.
The Director will work with programme leaders to strengthen internal controls and reduce risks related to fraud, mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
Qualifications and Experience
This is an opportunity for a highly experienced nonprofit leader. Candidates must have at least 15 years of increasing responsibility in nonprofit leadership and programme management within the international development or NGO sector.
At least seven years of senior programme leadership experience overseeing multiple country programmes is required. Candidates should also have substantial experience managing donor-funded programmes, budgets, organisational risk management, compliance monitoring and internal control systems.
A relevant postgraduate degree, such as an MBA, MIA or MPH, is required.
Applicants should have experience working with NGOs in Africa and knowledge of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in the region. Experience in an Ipas implementing country, particularly in West Africa, is preferred.
Fluency in French and strong written and verbal English communication skills are essential. Portuguese would be an advantage, while knowledge of additional local languages is considered an asset.
Remote Location and Travel
One of the major attractions of this opportunity is its 100% remote working arrangement. Eligible candidates may work remotely from Burundi, Chad, Benin, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya/Alliance locations, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa or Zambia.
Candidates based in West Africa are preferred.
Although the position is remote, it includes an estimated 20–25% travel to regional and country programmes as well as regional and global meetings.
Salary and Compensation
The vacancy does not provide a fixed global salary figure. Compensation will be determined according to the prevailing market rate in the employee’s country, applicable statutory requirements, the organisation’s pay philosophy, experience level and professional expertise.
This means the final compensation package may differ depending on the candidate’s country of employment and qualifications.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should prepare their application and apply through the official recruitment platform before the deadline.
Job Title: Program Support Director – Francophone & Lusophone Africa
Organisation: Ipas
Location: 100% Remote
Eligible Countries: Multiple African countries
Experience: 15+ years in nonprofit leadership and programme management
Senior Leadership Experience: 7+ years
Languages: English and French; Portuguese is an advantage
Travel: Approximately 20–25%
Deadline: 31 October 2026
Salary: Based on country market rates and experience
Apply here: Ipas official application portal
Conclusion
The Ipas Program Support Director position is a major remote leadership opportunity for an experienced international development professional with expertise in programme management, organisational leadership, donor compliance, risk management and strategic planning.
With responsibility for supporting multiple country and regional programmes, the successful candidate will play an important role in strengthening programme quality, organisational effectiveness and leadership across Africa.
Professionals who meet the extensive experience requirements, have strong knowledge of the African NGO sector and are fluent in English and French should consider applying before the 31 October 2026 deadline.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
