Women for Women International (WfWI) is inviting experienced global development leaders to apply for the position of Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer (CPPO). This permanent executive leadership role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to supporting women survivors of war and conflict.
The successful candidate will join WfWI’s Executive Leadership Team and play a central role in defining the organization’s global program strategy, strengthening institutional partnerships, ensuring program quality, guiding evidence-based decision-making, and leading global business development initiatives. The position is available to professionals who already possess the legal right to work in one of the approved countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria, Iraq, Germany, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
This role is ideal for highly accomplished international development professionals with extensive experience leading complex humanitarian and development programs across multiple countries, particularly within fragile and conflict-affected settings.
About Women for Women International
Women for Women International (WfWI) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization committed to empowering women who have survived war, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises.
Since its founding in 1993, the organization has supported more than 550,000 women across 17 conflict-affected countries, helping them rebuild their lives through economic empowerment, education, rights awareness, health information, and community leadership.
WfWI currently works in countries including:
- Afghanistan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Iraq
- Kosovo
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- South Sudan
Through its flagship Stronger Women, Stronger Nations Programme, participants gain:
- Livelihood and vocational skills
- Financial literacy
- Savings and income-generation knowledge
- Leadership development
- Women’s rights education
- Health awareness
- Community support networks
The organization believes that empowering women creates stronger families, stronger communities, and ultimately more peaceful societies.
Position Overview
Position: Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer (CPPO)
Department: Global Programs Unit
Employment Type: Full-time
Contract: Permanent / Open-ended
Leadership Grade: L
Reports To: International Chief Executive Officer
Work Arrangement: Remote or Hybrid (depending on location)
Eligible Work Locations
Applicants must already have legal authorization to work in one of the following countries:
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- South Africa
- Nigeria
- Iraq
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- United States
Women for Women International does not sponsor work visas and does not provide relocation support.
An Executive Leadership Role with Global Impact
The Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer serves as one of the most senior executives within Women for Women International.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CPPO helps shape the organization’s future by ensuring that every program remains:
- Mission-driven
- Evidence-based
- Financially sustainable
- Operationally feasible
- Centered on women’s needs
- Responsive to changing humanitarian contexts
The role serves as the International CEO’s principal strategic advisor on matters involving:
- Global program strategy
- Organizational growth
- Geographic expansion
- Institutional partnerships
- Program coherence
- Funding alignment
- Delivery continuity
Rather than directly managing all country offices permanently, the CPPO provides strategic oversight through a matrix leadership structure that ensures consistent program quality across regions.
Major Responsibilities
The position covers several broad leadership functions.
1. Lead Global Program Strategy
The CPPO will oversee the organization’s entire global programming approach.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading the development of WfWI’s global program strategy
- Ensuring all programs remain evidence-informed
- Improving program quality worldwide
- Designing innovative interventions
- Maintaining global technical standards
- Establishing quality assurance systems
- Aligning all programming with organizational strategy
The successful candidate will ensure that every country program delivers meaningful impact while remaining operationally realistic.
2. Strengthen Program Quality Across Regions
One of the primary responsibilities is ensuring consistency throughout WfWI’s international operations.
This includes:
- Working closely with Regional Directors
- Supporting Country Directors
- Monitoring delivery quality
- Reviewing annual country plans
- Assessing implementation risks
- Supporting organizational transitions
- Maintaining strong technical oversight
The CPPO will ensure that local implementation aligns with global organizational standards.
3. Guide Program Design and Innovation
The executive will oversee technical teams responsible for:
- Program Design
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)
- Country Office Support
- Grant Management
- Program Planning
Key duties include:
- Approving new program models
- Reviewing innovations
- Supporting research initiatives
- Strengthening evidence generation
- Promoting data-driven decision-making
- Improving operational efficiency
- Ensuring scalability of interventions
4. Lead the Crisis Response Fund
The CPPO serves as Executive Sponsor of WfWI’s Crisis Response Fund.
Key responsibilities include:
- Chairing the Steering Committee
- Approving funding allocations
- Reviewing high-risk partnerships
- Supporting emergency interventions
- Managing conflict-response strategies
- Ensuring safeguarding compliance
- Coordinating fundraising for crisis programming
This work enables WfWI to support women in countries where it may not yet maintain permanent offices.
5. Oversee Business Development
An important part of the role involves leading institutional fundraising and strategic partnerships.
Responsibilities include:
- Guiding the Global Business Development Unit
- Developing fundraising strategies
- Reviewing institutional proposals
- Managing donor relationships
- Evaluating funding opportunities
- Approving major grants
- Ensuring funding aligns with organizational priorities
The CPPO has final authority over significant programmatic funding decisions.
6. Build Strategic Global Partnerships
The successful executive will represent WfWI internationally.
Potential partners include:
- Governments
- Bilateral agencies
- Multilateral organizations
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Think tanks
- International NGOs
- Philanthropic organizations
- Strategic networks
The CPPO will strengthen partnerships that enhance both organizational impact and long-term sustainability.
7. Organizational Leadership
As a senior executive, the CPPO will:
- Lead high-performing international teams
- Supervise senior global managers
- Manage large budgets
- Present to Executive Leadership
- Engage with Board committees
- Support organizational transformation
- Clarify governance structures
- Strengthen cross-functional collaboration
Leadership Responsibilities
The CPPO directly supervises:
- Deputy Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer
- Global Director of Business Development
- Crisis Response Fund Manager
- Global Programs Unit Coordinator
During organizational transition periods, designated Country Directors may also report directly to the CPPO.
Collaboration Across the Organization
The role requires close collaboration with multiple senior leaders.
These include:
Chief Executive Officer
Supporting strategic organizational decisions and global growth.
Chief Operating Officer
Coordinating:
- Operations
- Procurement
- Finance
- Compliance
- Risk Management
- Security
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
Chief Research, Policy, Advocacy & Strategic Communications Officer
Working together to ensure that:
- Communications reflect evidence
- Advocacy is informed by field realities
- Research influences programming
- Organizational messaging remains credible
Required Qualifications
Applicants should possess:
- A Master’s degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Humanitarian Studies, Public Policy, or a closely related discipline.
- At least 15 years of senior leadership experience in international development, humanitarian action, or nonprofit management.
- Extensive experience managing complex international program portfolios.
- Proven leadership in fragile and conflict-affected environments.
- Strong expertise in program strategy and organizational transformation.
- Significant experience in institutional fundraising and donor engagement.
- Experience managing geographically dispersed international teams.
- Strong strategic planning capabilities.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
- Deep understanding of gender equality and women’s rights.
- Ability to work effectively within complex matrix organizations.
- Existing legal authorization to work in one of the listed countries.
Preferred Qualifications
Women for Women International would particularly value candidates who have:
- International leadership experience across multiple regions.
- Experience working in Africa and the Middle East.
- Strong donor and institutional networks.
- Experience leading research and evaluation initiatives.
- Knowledge of localization approaches.
- Experience with integrated multi-sector programming.
- Expertise in partnership-driven development models.
Skills That Will Make Candidates Competitive
Ideal applicants should demonstrate:
- Executive leadership
- Strategic vision
- Change management
- Program management
- Business development
- Partnership building
- Team leadership
- Financial oversight
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Negotiation
- Evidence-based planning
- Cross-cultural leadership
- Risk management
- Innovation management
Benefits
Women for Women International offers a competitive employment package that includes:
- Competitive location-adjusted salary
- Permanent employment
- Remote or hybrid work options depending on location
- Additional location-specific benefits
- Opportunity to lead global humanitarian programming
- Executive-level leadership experience
- International collaboration
- Significant influence on global women’s empowerment initiatives
Organizational Values
Employees are expected to uphold WfWI’s core values:
- Empowerment
- Integrity
- Respect
- Resilience
Leadership principles include:
- Decisive
- Accountable
- Courageous
- Adaptable
- Inclusive
All staff must comply with the organization’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policies.
Diversity and Inclusion
Women for Women International is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is respected and celebrated.
Applications are welcomed regardless of:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender identity
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- Marital status
- Political opinion
- Pregnancy or maternity status
The organization believes that diverse teams strengthen innovation, collaboration, and organizational performance.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their application through the official Women for Women International careers portal.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare:
- An updated CV or résumé
- A compelling cover letter highlighting executive leadership experience
- Evidence of program leadership
- Experience managing international partnerships
- Examples of fundraising and donor engagement achievements
Application Deadline
DEADLINE: 12th August, 2026
Visit HERE to learn more about the Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer at Women for Women International (WfWI).
Conclusion
The Chief Programs & Partnerships Officer position at Women for Women International presents an exceptional opportunity for experienced international development professionals to influence humanitarian programming on a global scale. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will shape organizational strategy, strengthen institutional partnerships, oversee high-impact programs, and ensure that WfWI continues to deliver evidence-based, women-centered interventions across conflict-affected regions.
This executive role is particularly suited to leaders with extensive experience in international development, humanitarian response, gender equality, strategic fundraising, and organizational transformation. Those who are passionate about advancing women’s rights, building resilient communities, and driving meaningful global impact will find this to be a highly rewarding career opportunity.
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