Job description
1. Department: Programmes
2. Country / Location / - India/New Delhi
4. Title of job holder: Head of Programmes
5. Salary Group : SG 8 (Annual package INR 27–30 lakh)
6. Immediate superior: Country Director
Background:
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is one of the largest private aid organizations in Germany, operating in over 30 countries worldwide. In India, WHH works towards transforming food systems, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and improving nutrition outcomes through multi-sectoral approaches.
This position is a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), working alongside the Country Director, Head of Programme Development, Quality, Impact and Strategy, and Head of Finance & Administration.
Purpose of the Position:
Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Head of Programmes supports the development of the multi-annual country programme and contributes to its effective implementation and monitoring. The role aims to maximize WHH’s impact in alignment with Welthungerhilfe’s strategy, relevant concept papers, and established quality standards.
The Head of Programmes also represents Welthungerhilfe in the country, in coordination and agreement with the Country Director.
Duties and Areas of Responsibility
Duties within Own Area of Responsibility
The Head of Programmes supports the Country Director (CD) in developing and implementing programmes and projects, and in further strengthening Welthungerhilfe’s intervention approach in the country.
Within the agreed division of responsibilities with the CD, the Head of Programmes is responsible for the following key tasks:
A. Contribution to the Definition and Strategic Orientation of the Multi-Annual Programme
- Analyse challenges and identify solutions based on field-level interventions
- Identify, review, and assess (pre-select) new project ideas in line with the country programme, intervention strategy, concept papers, and established frameworks and standards
- Ensure that feasibility, sustainability, and exit strategies are adequately integrated into project design
- Prepare high-quality project proposals and reports for donor submission
- Coordinate the development of internal project documentation, including cost estimates and financing plans
- Identify co-financing opportunities and support donor negotiations in coordination with the Country Director and Head Office
- Identify and engage potential project partners, and promote active collaboration and capacity strengthening of partner organisations
B. Quality Assurance, Compliance and M&E
- Ensure compliance with Welthungerhilfe’s quality standards in the preparation of project documents
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting (both narrative and financial) to Head Office and donors
- Ensure that monitoring and evaluation findings are effectively integrated into ongoing programmes and projects
- Provide support for in-country evaluations
- Review and approve project implementation methodologies
- Define intervention areas in coordination with Heads of Projects and Area Managers
- Identify and document lessons learned from programmes and projects, and facilitate knowledge sharing and networking on best practices with Head Office
- Support and/or coordinate field assessments and evaluations for proposal development
Duties without Own Area of Responsibility
A. Development and Management of the Country Programme
- Support the Country Director in developing a needs-based, impact-oriented country programme and annual plans
- Assist in ensuring the effective implementation and impact of the country programme, including regular status updates
- Contribute to medium-term financial planning for the region
- Identify new partners and advise partner organisations on organisational and programmatic matters, ensuring project quality and identifying capacity-building needs
B. Monitoring of the Humanitarian Situation in the Country
- Collaborate with partners to establish surveillance systems for trend analysis and needs assessment
- Identify unmet needs, propose appropriate responses, and prepare reports as required
- Monitor potential crises using early warning indicators
- Support rapid needs assessments and validate findings
- Contribute to resource mobilisation through proposal development and other mechanisms
- Support the preparation of preparedness and contingency plans
- Contribute to the development of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plans
C. Quality Assurance, Compliance, and M&E
- Oversee the implementation of projects and programmes in line with Welthungerhilfe quality standards, including establishing effective and participatory M&E systems and ensuring compliance with financial requirements
- Prepare and follow up on planning studies, evaluations, and audits, ensuring implementation of agreed recommendations
- Ensure all mandatory programme and project documents are updated in a timely manner
- Participate in recruitment and capacity development of team members
- Promote effective internal communication within the team
Specific Activities and Duties of the Position
- Provide strategic leadership in programme development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring that WHH’s programmes and projects significantly contribute to reducing hunger and poverty
- Contribute actively to Country Office (CO) strategic management, including decision-making and implementation of country strategic plans
- Lead the development, testing, and implementation of innovative programme strategies and approaches tailored to the country context
- Manage a team of professionals responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes and projects
- Ensure that appropriate systems, capacities, and resources are in place for the effective management of programmes and projects
- Serve as a key member of the Country Office Senior Management Team, leading and supporting CO-wide initiatives
- In coordination with the Country Director, maintain strong working relationships with government authorities, donors, and partner organisations
Others:
Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and as communicated by Welthungerhilfe.
Qualifications and Experience
- Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Nutrition, Agriculture, Rural Development, or related fields.
- Minimum 10–12 years of progressive experience in program management and implementation within international development organizations.
- Proven leadership experience in managing multi-sectoral and multi-country programs, preferably in nutrition, food systems, or livelihoods.
- Strong understanding of project cycle management, capacity building, and partnership management.
- Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and foster a culture of performance, learning, and accountability.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and representation skills.
- Experience in donor liaison, budget management, and compliance oversight.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Hindi or other South Asian languages is an asset.
- Willingness to travel frequently within India and the region (Nepal and Bangladesh).
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; excellent people management skills, experience of managing and developing a team
- Solid project management skills related to organizational development projects and international, cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results
- Significant knowledge of international development systems, institutions, and donors, and of procedures and accountability frameworks
- Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, systems thinker, and effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence cross departmental and cross sectoral working relationships
- Ability to think creatively to solve problems and find effective and efficient ways to accomplish goals
- Ability to make decisions, work under pressure on several competing tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work successfully in a complex political environment and on sensitive issues.
- Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
- Demonstrated experience working on complex, multi-partner projects in an international setting
- Very good understanding of at least 3 of the sectoral programs (Agriculture, Nutrition, WASH) and a working knowledge of the program priorities of the Country Office
- An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues
- Willingness to spend 50 to 60% of time traveling to implementation sites for technical monitoring and supervision visits
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
Starting date: July 01, 2026
Last date of application: May 24, 2026
Interested candidates need to apply by using our online recruitment system by following the below link:
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.