Program Development Manager – Global

Role Overview

• Lead new program design processes from inception to program launch for assigned initiatives, ensuring alignment with Spark’s model, standards, and program design procedures
• Manage cross-functional working groups, including developing budgets and workplans, coordinating inputs, and driving progress toward design deliverables
• Plan and facilitate workshops and collaborative sessions to guide internal stakeholders, partners, and government counterparts toward defined design objectives
• Lead the coordination of internal inputs and reviews to ensure all design outputs are consistent with decisions, polished, and responsive to identified objectives
• Author concept notes, implementation guides, or other required documentations that accompany new program designs
• Develop and maintain program design documentation, including templates, tools, examples, and standard operating procedures to support consistent and high-quality design processes
• Lead the development, validation, and updating of assigned "Design Standards" outlining minimum standards and guidance on core elements of the FCAP model
• Build organizational understanding of program design processes through onboarding, coaching, and ongoing technical support to country and functional teams
• Identify quality and capacity gaps in program design processes and recommend strategies to address them through systems improvements, tools, or training
• Participate in Program Development functional group by sharing lessons and supporting national scale design efforts across Spark’s countries of focus
• Lead program development contributions to internal working groups focused on cross-portfolio exchange
• Develop external-facing materials that communicate program designs to donors, partners, and other stakeholders
• Maintain organized and accessible knowledge management systems for program design materials, including implementation guides, concept notes, budgets, subawards, and curricula
• Provide technical guidance on key program areas (e.g. CDD and designing for national scale) and operational areas (e.g. working with World Bank systems or operations)
• Oversee technical specialists or consultants to provide needed technical expertise or support
• Manage cross-departmental collaboration to deliver high-quality program design outputs

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in international development, including program design, strategy development, or community development
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating cross-functional teams or working groups, with the ability to manage inputs and stakeholders and drive implementation of work plans
• Experience facilitating workshops, trainings, or collaborative design sessions with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, partners, and/or government counterparts
• Technical understanding of community-driven development, rural development, national scale program design, or working within World Bank systems would be an asset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities across countries or teams.

Tech Stack

• Spark

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer
• Safeguarding principles