Head of Programs at Global Development Incubator (GDI)

Key Responsibilities

Program Design & Delivery

• Lead the design and execution of NurtureFirst’s programs, ensuring alignment with organizational vision and caregiver-centered values.
• Integrate early childhood development science and cultural context into program architecture.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable program plans with clear milestones and accountability structures.
• Oversee program implementation in Kenya, supporting the country leadership to deliver with integrity and impact.
• Oversee program design and implementation in new geographies in collaboration with various partners.
• Prepare systems and processes to support expansion into new countries.
• Support resource mobilization by contributing to proposal design, program concepts, and donor engagement.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Build and oversee robust MEL frameworks to track outcomes, test interventions, and generate actionable insights.
• Ensure evidence is systematically captured, analyzed, and shared to inform decision-making and external learning.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptive learning across teams and with and among partners, including setting up a partner learning framework

Program Quality & Integrity

• Establish and maintain standards for program quality, safeguarding, and ethical implementation.
• Ensure interventions are tested rigorously and scaled responsibly, with fidelity to caregiver dignity and maternal agency.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to country teams.
• Lead the development of a learning-oriented culture that normalizes honest reflection, supporting teams to identify what is not working and adapt accordingly.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise and mentor Country Leads and/or teams (currently Kenya), enabling strong local leadership and accountability.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and leadership team to align program delivery with organizational strategy.
• Contribute programmatic evidence and insights to expansion discussions, while respecting ownership of strategy by others.
• Engage with the Global HBCC Alliance to share program evidence and learning, while not holding responsibility for alliance leadership.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Development, Public Health, Education, Development Studies, or Social Policy.
• Deep understanding of early childhood development science, caregiver dynamics, and systemic factors shaping early years outcomes.
• Proven experience in program leadership and implementation, ideally in early childhood, maternal health, education, or development sectors.
• Strong expertise in program design, delivery, and MEL systems, with the ability to translate evidence into practice.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee multi-country or complex program portfolios.
• Commitment to ethical stewardship, caregiver dignity, and evidence-based practice.
• Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and cross-cultural collaboration skills.
• Lived or professional experience in the Global South, with deep appreciation for local contexts and caregiver realities.