Chief Programmes Officer

Job Title:          Chief Programmes Officer   
Cluster:             Programmes
Salary:               USD 126,944.35 per annum (excluding benefits)     

Location:           Remote 

Reports to:        Secretary General 

Contract Type:  Permanent (subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability)  
Direct Reports:  Advocacy and Campaigns Lead, Civic Space Research Lead, Communications Lead, Membership and Networks Lead, Innovation and Quality Management Lead.   

Role Overview 

The Chief Programmes Officer will guide CIVICUS’s key programmatic priorities for enhanced impact with a view to mobilising citizen action, defending civic freedoms and catalysing civic participation. They will manage and harmonise the work of CIVICUS’s programmatic teams focused on civic space research, public facing advocacy, people centred communications, member and networks outreach as well as innovation and quality management.  The Chief Programmes Officer will represent CIVICUS in civil society platforms, international institutions and other relevant forums. They will drive support and expansion of CIVICUS’s networks to advance civic and democratic freedoms.  

 

Areas of Responsibilities & Key Activities 

Strategic Leadership 

• Shape, devise and steward programmatic priorities in line with CIVICUS’s mission and vision.   

• Actively participate in senior leadership functions including strategy setting and implementation in line with CIVICUS’s strategic objectives and annual plan.   

• Ensure strategic oversight, management of and coordination among programmatic teams.   

• Support the evolution of CIVICUS’s organisational culture with a view to advancing citizen action and fostering collaboration for impactful programme delivery.   

Representation   

• Provide thought-leadership and represent CIVICUS at key civil society platforms, multilateral institutions and policy forums connected to CIVICUS’s mission and vision.   

• Develop and maintain relationships with key organisational stakeholders and networks to advance strategic priorities and support the needs of CIVICUS members and civil society at large.   

• Ensure effective coordination of CIVICUS’s member outreach, public facing engagements and represent organisational positions in global key debates.   

Coordination and Harmonisation of Programmatic Teams.   

• Ensure coherence in programmatic activities with a view to advancing CIVICUS’s mission and vision, strategic objectives, and annual plans.   

• Ensure effective harmonisation of CIVICUS’s programmatic priorities and coordination between programmatic teams.   

• Initiate relevant knowledge offerings, advocacy actions and convenings to advance programmatic priorities.   

People Leadership and Management  

• Ensure effective management of programmatic leads and other direct reports while supporting their well-being and professional development.   

• Ensure effective recruitment, selection, retention, development and succession planning.   

• Conduct probation, performance management according to HR timelines ensure high performance from staff.   

• Develop a team culture that values collaboration, coherence and effective internal and external partnerships.   

CIVICUS Values and Change Management  

• Lead innovation and change management by fostering a culture of excellence within teams to ensure continuous improvement and evolution of CIVICUS’s programmatic work.   

• Create a culture of professional integrity within teams based on CIVICUS’s values and through personal example.   

Person Specification 

Education, Language & Qualifications  

• Masters in social sciences, international relations or law (in cases of exceptional experience this requirement can be waived)   

• Excellent communication – writing and public speaking - skills in English   

Essential Knowledge, skills and Experience  

• Significant work experience across a range of civil society organisations with minimum 10 years management experience of which at least 7 years should be at a senior management/leadership level (this position will be supervising the work of at least 5 key programmatic leads).   

• Strong communication skills, with proven ability to negotiate and influence change, with sensitivity.  

• Deep commitment to and knowledge of human rights and social justice principles.   

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and project management/ planning skills.   

• Commitment to CIVICUS’s vision, mission, values and ways of working.   

• Demonstrated experience of having worked nationally and internationally.    

• Sound understanding of global geo-political trends and a familiarity with key civil society networks and forums.   

• Demonstrated management experience in a multi-cultural environment and substantial networks within international civil society   

• Demonstrated experience of working remotely with globally distributed teams.   

Desirable Knowledge, skills and Experience   

• Knowledge of one or more UN languages is desirable   

 

The closing deadline for applications is on the 16th July 2025 at 11:59pm SAST. Short listed candidates will be contacted 2 weeks after the closing date to schedule interviews. 

We appreciate and consider each application submitted. However, given the large volume of applications received, we find it impossible to respond to each applicant immediately. You will hear from us within three weeks only if you’re shortlisted for the next steps. We will update all applicants once the position has been filled. 

 

CIVICUS reserves the right to withdraw any of our vacancies at any time.