Program Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

• PROGRAM DIRECTOR Position: Program Director Organization: India Child Protection Location: New Delhi, India (HQ) Employment Type: Full-time (Contractual) Reporting To: Trustee About India Child Protection (ICP) India Child Protection (ICP), established in 2005, is a leading civil society organization committed to preventing child sexual exploitation, trafficking, child marriage, and all forms of violence against children. Through research, technology, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, ICP strengthens child protection systems across India. Working across 416 districts in 29 States and Union Territories, ICP collaborates with government agencies, law enforcement, the judiciary, and civil society organizations to build a safer future for every child. Job Role:- The Program Director provides strategic leadership for the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the organisation's programs and projects. The role is responsible for ensuring program quality, achieving measurable impact, strengthening partnerships, mobilizing resources, and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver results aligned with the mission and strategic priorities of India Child Protection. KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS:- Strategic Program Leadership Develop and implement organisational program strategies aligned with the strategic plan. Provide overall leadership for program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Identify emerging issues and opportunities to strengthen program effectiveness. Ensure program alignment with organisational mission, vision, and donor priorities. Program Management Oversee implementation of all program activities across multiple locations. Ensure timely achievement of program objectives, deliverables, and milestones. Monitor program performance through established indicators and reporting systems. Ensure quality assurance across all projects and interventions. Team Leadership Build, mentor, supervise, and develop high-performing program teams. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and performance-driven work culture. Provide technical guidance and leadership to program staff. Strengthen staff capacity through coaching and professional development. Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, donors, civil society organisations, and development partners. Represent the organisation in national and international forums, meetings, and networks. Strengthen collaboration with law enforcement, judiciary, and child protection stakeholders. Build strategic alliances to enhance program impact. Resource Mobilization Support fundraising and proposal development initiatives. Identify new funding opportunities and strategic partnerships. Contribute to donor engagement and relationship management. Ensure effective utilisation of program resources. Budget & Financial Oversight Oversee program budgets and financial performance. Ensure efficient utilization of resources in accordance with donor and organisational guidelines. Monitor expenditure against approved budgets. Support financial planning and forecasting. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, learning, and impact assessment systems. Promote evidence-based program and continuous improvement. Review program reports and recommend corrective actions where necessary. Facilitate knowledge management and documentation of best practices. Compliance & Governance Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organisational policies, child safeguarding standards, and statutory regulations. Ensure timely submission of narrative and program reports. Support internal, donor, and external audits where required. Promote accountability, transparency, and ethical program implementation. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Effective implementation of the organisation's program strategy and annual work plans. Timely achievement of program objectives, deliverables, and milestones. Quality and impact of programs measured against established outcomes and indicators. Successful management of program budgets and optimal utilization of resources. Timely submission of high-quality donor, program, and management reports. Strengthened partnerships with government, donors, civil society organisations, and strategic stakeholders. Successful resource mobilisation and contribution to fundraising initiatives. Compliance with donor requirements, organisational policies, safeguarding standards, and statutory regulations. Effective leadership, supervision, and development of program teams. Timely identification and mitigation of program risks and implementation challenges. Strengthened monitoring, evaluation, learning, and knowledge management systems. High levels of stakeholder and donor satisfaction. Successful representation of the organisation at national and international forums. Continuous improvement in program quality, innovation, and operational effectiveness. Promotion of collaboration across departments to achieve organisational goals. Demonstration of professionalism, accountability, ethical conduct, and alignment with the mission and values of India Child Protection. Educational Qualification Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW), Development Studies, Public Policy, Sociology, Public Administration, or a related discipline. Additional qualifications in Program Management, Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, or Leadership will be an added advantage. Certification in Project Management (PMP/PRINCE2) or equivalent is desirable. Experience Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in program management within the development or child protection sector. Proven experience in leading large, multi-location development programs. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, donor management, and team leadership. Experience working with government agencies, international organizations, and donor-funded projects is highly desirable. Technical Skills Strong program planning, implementation, and management skills. Expertise in project cycle management and results-based management. Knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) frameworks. Budget planning and financial management. Proposal development and donor reporting. Stakeholder engagement and partnership development. Strong report writing and documentation skills. Excellent presentation and communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools. Understanding of child protection systems, safeguarding, and relevant legislation. Core Competencies Strategic Leadership Develops long-term program strategies aligned with organisational priorities. Inspires teams to achieve organisational goals and impact. Programme Management Plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates complex programs effectively. Ensures quality, efficiency, and timely delivery of program objectives. Leadership & People Management Leads and motivates multidisciplinary teams. Builds organisational capacity through coaching and mentoring. Partnership Building Develops strong relationships with government, donors, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Represents the organisation with credibility and professionalism. Decision Making Makes informed, evidence-based, and timely decisions. Manages risks proactively and effectively. Communication & Influencing Communicates clearly with diverse stakeholders. Influences policy, partnerships, and program outcomes. Financial & Resource Management Ensures responsible stewardship of financial and organisational resources. Monitors program budgets and cost efficiency. Innovation & Continuous Improvement Encourages innovation and learning. Applies evidence and lessons learned to strengthen program effectiveness. Behavioural Competencies Visionary leadership Integrity and accountability Strategic thinking Results orientation Collaboration and teamwork Problem-solving and analytical thinking Adaptability and resilience Emotional intelligence Professionalism Negotiation and influencing Conflict resolution Commitment to diversity and inclusion Desirable Attributes Strong commitment to child rights and safeguarding. Passion for social justice and sustainable development. Ability to lead in complex and dynamic environments. High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Strong networking and relationship-building abilities. Excellent public speaking and representation skills. Alignment with the mission, vision, and values of India Child Protection.