Careers at LEAP Africa 2026: Apply for the Director of Programmes Position in Lagos, Nigeria

LEAP Africa is inviting experienced, passionate, innovative, and values-driven professionals to explore career opportunities within an organisation focused on youth leadership development and sustainable transformation across Africa. Through its work as an ecosystem builder, thought leader, and development hub, LEAP Africa aims to empower the next generation of African leaders and contribute to lasting impact across communities.

For professionals interested in leadership, youth development, programme management, organisational transformation, and social impact, the organisation offers an opportunity to become part of a dynamic team working to expand its impact across the continent.

Among its current openings is the Director of Programmes position, a senior leadership opportunity based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Opportunity Overview

LEAP Africa describes itself as an institution working beyond the traditional role of an organisation. Its ambition is to serve as an ecosystem builder, thought leader, and development hub for young people across Africa.

The organisation places its people at the centre of this mission and seeks individuals who are prepared to contribute their skills, creativity, ideas, and leadership to initiatives focused on developing young African leaders.

The current Director of Programmes opening is particularly suited to an experienced professional who can provide strategic leadership for LEAP Africa’s programmes and help guide their development in line with the organisation’s priorities for 2027 and beyond.

Key Details

• Position: Director of Programmes
• Organisation: LEAP Africa
• Employment type: Full-time
• Location: Lagos, Nigeria
• Application deadline: 20 September 2026
• Application: Applicants can apply through the official application form provided by LEAP Africa.

Apply for the Director of Programmes position

About LEAP Africa

LEAP Africa presents itself as an organisation committed to developing young leaders and supporting sustainable transformation across African communities.

Its work is centred around youth leadership development and creating an environment where young people can be inspired, empowered, and equipped to take on leadership roles.

The organisation describes its broader mission through several interconnected roles:

• Ecosystem builder: Connecting people, ideas, and initiatives that contribute to development and leadership.
• Thought leader: Contributing ideas and perspectives around youth leadership and development.
• Development hub: Creating opportunities and platforms that support the growth of young people.
• Advocacy champion: Using its experience and platform to promote issues connected to its mission.

Working at LEAP Africa therefore offers professionals the opportunity to contribute to an organisation whose work extends across leadership development and broader social transformation.

Director of Programmes: An Opportunity for Experienced Leaders

The Director of Programmes is described as an experienced and visionary professional who will provide leadership for the organisation’s programmes.

The role involves leading the design, delivery, and growth of LEAP Africa’s programmes while ensuring that these programmes remain aligned with the organisation’s strategic priorities for 2027 and beyond.

This makes the position particularly significant because programme leadership is directly connected to how LEAP Africa implements its mission.

The successful candidate would be joining the organisation at a point where its programmes and strategic direction require leadership capable of supporting continued development and expansion.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Based on the opportunity description, the Director of Programmes will be expected to contribute to:

1. Programme design

   The role involves leading the development and design of programmes that support LEAP Africa’s broader mission.

2. Programme delivery

   The Director will provide leadership in ensuring that programmes are effectively implemented.

3. Programme growth

   The position involves supporting the expansion and growth of LEAP Africa’s programmes.

4. Strategic alignment

   A major part of the role is ensuring that programmes are aligned with the organisation’s strategic priorities for 2027 and beyond.

5. Visionary leadership

   LEAP Africa is specifically seeking an experienced and visionary individual, indicating that the position requires more than routine programme administration.

Why Consider a Career at LEAP Africa?

LEAP Africa describes its workplace as one designed to support professional growth, collaboration, employee well-being, and meaningful work.

The organisation identifies several features of its employee experience.

1. Purpose-Driven Work

LEAP Africa places purpose at the centre of its organisational culture.

Employees are connected to work focused on youth leadership development, with the organisation aiming to become a high-performing youth-focused institution and a centre of excellence in key areas of youth leadership development.

For professionals who want their work to contribute to broader social impact, this purpose-driven environment can provide an opportunity to connect professional responsibilities with a wider mission.

2. Benefits and Incentives

LEAP Africa states that it focuses on fair pay, opportunities, and benefits designed to support employees.

The benefits identified by the organisation include:

• Life insurance
• Health coverage
• Competitive compensation
• Retirement savings
• Other employee benefits and incentives

These benefits form part of the organisation’s broader approach to supporting its employees.

3. Hybrid Working Structure

LEAP Africa describes itself as a flexible, high-trust workplace.

Its hybrid structure combines:

• Physical workplace options
• Remote working options
• Flexibility in how employees approach work

The organisation recognises that professional and personal life are interconnected and seeks to provide a working structure that accommodates this reality.

4. Professional Reputation and Community

LEAP Africa highlights the pride associated with being part of its community of employees, referred to as LEAPers.

The organisation says its work over the years has positioned it as an ecosystem builder, thought leader, and advocacy champion.

Joining the organisation therefore means becoming part of a professional community connected to its broader leadership-development mission.

5. Learning and Development

Professional development is another component of the employee experience.

LEAP Africa states that it implements policies intended to support employees in developing their:

• Knowledge
• Competencies
• Professional skills

Its learning and development initiatives include learning sessions, an L&D fund, and expert series.

This can provide employees with opportunities to continue developing their capabilities while working within the organisation.

6. Employee Well-being

LEAP Africa describes itself as a people-first organisation and places considerable emphasis on employee well-being and fulfilment.

The organisation mentions:

• Vacations
• Public holidays
• Organisational breaks
• Wellness days
• Personal days off
• Paid annual leave

The goal is to encourage employees to take time away from work and maintain a healthier balance.

7. Collaborative and Dynamic Team

LEAP Africa describes its employees as smart, innovative, creative, and dynamic.

The organisation emphasises:

• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Mutual support
• Sharing insights
• Collective achievement
• Individual achievement
• Professional synergy

Professionals joining the organisation can therefore expect to work within a team-oriented environment where collaboration is considered an important part of achieving organisational goals.

LEARN MORE HERE

Join the LEAP Africa Talent Network

In addition to the current Director of Programmes vacancy, LEAP Africa provides an opportunity for interested professionals to join its talent network.

The talent network is intended for people who are interested in becoming part of the LEAP Africa community and want to receive first-hand information about future vacancies and initiatives.

This can be particularly useful for professionals who may not currently be applying for the Director of Programmes position but want to remain informed about future career opportunities with LEAP Africa.

Join the LEAP Africa Talent Network

Who Should Consider This Opportunity?

The current opening is especially relevant to professionals who have experience in areas connected to programme leadership, youth development, organisational development, social impact, and strategic programme management.

The position’s description specifically calls for an experienced and visionary Director of Programmes, meaning applicants should carefully evaluate whether their professional background demonstrates the level of experience and leadership expected for a senior programme position.

Professionals who are passionate about youth leadership development and expanding development-focused programmes across Africa may find the organisation’s mission particularly relevant.

Who Qualifies to Apply?

Category of people: Experienced professionals and senior programme leaders interested in youth leadership development and social impact.

Qualifications/experience: The provided opportunity description does not specify a detailed academic degree requirement, minimum number of years of experience, or specific professional qualifications for the Director of Programmes position. It does, however, explicitly seek an experienced and visionary professional capable of leading programme design, delivery, growth, and strategic alignment.

Geographical eligibility: The position is based in Lagos, Nigeria. The provided information does not explicitly state a nationality restriction or specify that applicants must be Nigerian citizens.

Race/continent: No race-based eligibility restriction is stated. LEAP Africa’s broader mission focuses on young people across Africa, but the supplied vacancy information does not provide a specific nationality or citizenship requirement for this particular position.

Applicants should therefore review the official application information carefully to determine whether additional requirements are included in the application form.

How to Apply

Interested professionals should submit their application through the application form provided for the Director of Programmes position.

Official application form

Applicants should make sure they submit their materials before the stated deadline.

Application Deadline

20 September 2026

Because this is a time-limited vacancy, interested candidates should avoid waiting until the final day to prepare and submit their application.

What Makes LEAP Africa’s Workplace Different?

LEAP Africa’s description of its workplace combines professional responsibility with employee development and well-being.

The organisation’s approach can be summarised through several themes:

• Purpose: Employees contribute to youth leadership and development.
• Impact: The organisation seeks to create lasting transformation across communities.
• Flexibility: Its hybrid structure provides physical and remote working options.
• Development: Learning sessions, an L&D fund, and expert series support staff development.
• Well-being: Leave, wellness initiatives, and organisational breaks are part of the employee experience.
• Collaboration: Teamwork and knowledge sharing are strongly emphasised.
• Growth: Employees are encouraged to take responsibility, accept challenges, contribute ideas, and shape their professional future.

Why the Director of Programmes Role Could Be Significant

For a professional seeking a senior role in the development sector, the Director of Programmes position provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of strategy, programme implementation, leadership development, and social impact.

The position is not presented simply as an administrative programme-management role. LEAP Africa is looking for someone who can lead the design, delivery, and growth of its programmes while connecting those programmes to the organisation’s future strategic priorities.

This means the opportunity may be particularly relevant to professionals who want to influence how development programmes are designed and implemented rather than simply supporting individual programme activities.

About Life as a LEAPer

LEAP Africa describes its workplace as people-first, emphasising the importance of creating an environment where employees can achieve meaningful work while also experiencing professional and personal fulfilment.

The organisation says employees are given room to:

• Introduce new ideas
• Take initiative
• Contribute their talents
• Accept responsibility
• Take on challenging work
• Develop their potential
• Help shape their professional future

The organisation also emphasises that employees can contribute regardless of how long they have been with the organisation, suggesting an environment where ideas and initiative are encouraged.

Final Thoughts

The LEAP Africa Director of Programmes position offers an opportunity for an experienced and visionary professional to contribute to the design, delivery, and growth of programmes supporting youth leadership development and sustainable transformation across Africa.

With the position based in Lagos, Nigeria, the full-time role could be particularly relevant to professionals with strong programme leadership experience who are interested in contributing to an organisation focused on developing the next generation of African leaders.

Beyond the current vacancy, LEAP Africa also maintains a talent network through which interested professionals can receive updates about future vacancies and initiatives.

The most important date for applicants to remember is the 20 September 2026 application deadline. Interested candidates should review the official application information carefully and submit their application before the deadline.

Official careers page: LEAP Africa Careers

For more opportunity HERE