2026 Global Career Opportunity: Spark MicroGrants Seeks Senior Global Programs Director – Remote
Spark MicroGrants is offering an exciting Senior Global Programs Director opportunity for an experienced international development professional seeking a senior leadership role with a strong focus on programme scaling, government engagement and impact across Africa.
The position is full-time and remote, with primary locations in Kigali, Rwanda; Lilongwe, Malawi; and Accra, Ghana. Other remote locations within East and Southern Africa may also be considered.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
About the Senior Global Programs Director Role
The Senior Global Programs Director will provide strategic leadership, oversight and support to Spark MicroGrants’ Country Directors and programme teams.
The successful candidate will help ensure that programmes are delivered to a high standard while supporting their expansion, financial sustainability and national-level impact.
Working as part of the Global Programs Team, the Director will strengthen programme excellence, encourage learning between countries, improve operational performance and ensure country strategies remain aligned with Spark MicroGrants’ global vision and growth plans.
This is a senior position requiring extensive experience in international development, government relations, programme implementation, organisational leadership and multi-country operations.
Key Responsibilities
1. Programme Strategy and Scaling
A major part of the position involves leading national-scale programmes across countries including Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana and Uganda.
The Senior Global Programs Director will:
- Lead programme expansion, policy adoption and implementation.
- Develop relationships with senior government stakeholders.
- Support government financing and partnerships.
- Work with institutions such as the World Bank and bilateral development partners.
- Develop programme strategies aligned with Spark MicroGrants’ mission.
- Oversee programme design and implementation.
- Provide strategic guidance to Country Directors.
- Support sustainable and scalable programme delivery.
The role therefore requires someone who can operate confidently at both strategic and implementation levels.
2. Leadership and Team Management
The successful candidate will manage and support senior leaders across Spark MicroGrants’ programme portfolio.
Responsibilities include providing direct line management and guidance to Country Directors, the Partnership and Systems Manager and other senior staff.
The Director will also:
- Support recruitment and development of senior programme personnel.
- Mentor and coach programme leaders.
- Monitor programme timelines and budgets.
- Oversee programme implementation risks.
- Strengthen quality assurance processes.
- Support effective partner selection and management.
- Ensure safeguarding standards are maintained across programmes.
Strong people-management and leadership experience will therefore be essential.
3. Programme Design and Innovation
Spark MicroGrants is seeking a leader who can contribute to continuous programme improvement and innovation.
The Senior Global Programs Director will work with the Programme Design team to test new approaches, identify lessons and integrate learning into programme development.
The successful candidate will also oversee the implementation of programme design procedures and help ensure that successful approaches can be replicated and scaled.
4. Financial Management
Financial oversight is another important component of the position.
The Senior Global Programs Director will be responsible for ensuring programme budgets are aligned with organisational priorities, donor commitments and available funding.
The role includes:
- Reviewing programme expenditure.
- Promoting cost-effective use of resources.
- Ensuring compliance with financial procedures.
- Supporting effective budget management.
- Identifying opportunities to improve programme return on investment.
Candidates with experience in finance, grant management and operational oversight will therefore have an advantage.
Who Is Spark MicroGrants Looking For?
This is a highly senior position, and candidates are expected to have significant professional experience.
Applicants should have:
- At least 12 years of relevant experience.
- At least 5 years of experience managing senior leaders, such as Country Directors or equivalent positions.
- A strong track record in government engagement and policy influencing.
- Experience leading organisations or major programmes.
- Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience with finance, operations and grant management.
- A Master’s degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Economics, Management or a related field.
- Experience designing and managing rural development programmes.
- Strong project management skills.
- A successful track record in resource mobilisation.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
The ideal candidate should be comfortable working across countries, cultures and complex stakeholder environments.
Where Can You Work?
The advertised locations are:
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Accra, Ghana
Spark MicroGrants also states that other remote locations within East and Southern Africa may be considered.
This makes the opportunity particularly attractive to experienced development professionals already based in the region.
Employment Details
Job Title: Senior Global Programs Director
Organisation: Spark MicroGrants
Department: Executive
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: Remote
Experience Level: Senior Manager/Supervisor
Locations: Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana, with other East and Southern African remote locations potentially considered
Application Deadline: Rolling Basis
How to Apply
Interested candidates should review the full requirements and apply through the official Spark MicroGrants recruitment portal.
Apply for the Senior Global Programs Director position
Because applications are being considered on a rolling basis, candidates who meet the requirements should avoid delaying their application.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
The Senior Global Programs Director role offers an opportunity to influence development programmes at a significant scale while working across several African countries.
It could be particularly valuable for professionals with backgrounds in international development, rural development, government partnerships, programme management, policy influencing, resource mobilisation and organisational leadership.
Rather than focusing on a single project or country, the position provides strategic oversight across Spark MicroGrants’ broader programme portfolio. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with senior leaders, governments, development partners and programme teams to strengthen delivery and expand impact.
For experienced development professionals ready to take on a global-level programme leadership position, this is an opportunity worth considering.
Apply early, as the recruitment process is being conducted on a rolling basis.
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