Job Title: Director of Programmes
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
The position is based in Johannesburg and requires flexibility to travel. Flexible arrangements may be considered, provided they remain within Southern Africa.
Salary: A highly competitive remuneration package will be offered, commensurate with the skills and experience of the successful candidate. The offer will be subject to a three-month probation period.
Job Purpose
The Director of Programmes is responsible for overall leadership and implementation of core programmes, fundraising, research, monitoring, evaluation and learning, communications, and sustainability. An organisational chart for 2026/2027 is attached as Annex A.
Reporting Lines and Management Responsibilities
- Reports to the Gender Links Board, working closely with the Director, Regional Hub, as part of GL’s Co-Director feminist leadership model.
- Oversees regional programmes, grants, and fellowships, along with monitoring, evaluation, learning, and communications, in close coordination with country directors.
Contract Period
The post is for an initial period of one year, with potential for growth and promotion as part of GL’s succession planning and performance management system. Gender Links is committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders in the women’s movement.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversight of GL’s SRHR, GBV, Economic and Climate Justice, Gender and Media, and Women’s Political Participation Programmes, delivered through the Grants and Fellowships Unit; the Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance; and the Local Action for Gender Justice models.
- Management and reporting of regional grants related to these programmes.
- Oversight of GL’s Results for Change framework that includes Monitoring, Evaluation, Knowledge, Learning, and Value for Money.
- Oversight of GL’s communications for social change strategy and channels.
- Strengthening and building partnerships nationally, regionally, and globally in GL’s areas of work.
- Preparing papers and presentations and representing the organisation at strategic forums and events.
- Leading new and innovative ways of working that create multiplier effects and leverage off GL’s networks and knowledge bases.
- Fundraising to create synergies and sustain the work.
Required Qualifications
- A relevant post-graduate social sciences degree
- Gender studies would be an advantage
Experience
The post requires:
- A strong background in Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- At least five years’ experience of results-based management, preferably in an NGO environment.
- Proven track record of feminist leadership.
- Significant management experience with at least three years working at a senior leadership level, ideally with a proven track record of managing cross-functionally.
- Prior experience of leading programme-specific units – with financial accountability
- A proven track record of raising funds from bilateral, multilateral, and philanthropic organisations.
- Knowledge of, and work experience in, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Skills
The post requires:
- Strong strategic, conceptual, and operational skills
- Excellent verbal, analytical, writing, and editing skills, including public presentation
- Strong skills in teamwork and facilitation.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, and to exhibit independent judgment in the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, procedures, and policies
- Research, advocacy, and training skills;
- Proven financial, fund-raising, and report-writing skills;
- Excellent networking and interpersonal skills.
- Facility with IT and its strategic applications in research and advocacy.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
Personal Qualities
- Committed to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Persuasive, dynamic, determined, and strategic
- Able to travel.
Key Requirement
Candidates must be nationals of Southern Africa and have experience of working in the region. Facility with the languages spoken in the region other than English, and residence status in South Africa will be an advantage.
Equality Statement
Equality, inclusion, and diversity are at the core of Gender Links values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should use the online platform at the following link:
- Submit their CV (An up-to-date curriculum vitae (of no more than 3-4 sides of A4);
- References with the relevant contact information;
- Letter of motivation – a detailed statement (of no more than 2-sides of A4) explaining why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you suitable.
- A piece of written work that you have authored recently – a report, a proposal, etc.
Closing Date
Applications are welcome until the deadline of 5pm South African time on Friday 15 November 2025. Only applications submitted online will be considered. Late applications will not be considered.
Next Steps
The selection committee will review all candidates’ applications and agree on a longlist for the role. Longlisted candidates will be invited to discuss the position with Gender Links in greater detail. The selection committee will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist to be invited to the formal interview stage to be conducted during the week of 30 November. Interviews will involve a presentation, written proposal, and budget exercise. The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible and preferably by 1 April 2026. GL reserves the right to re-advertise, should a suitable candidate not be found.
For more information on GL go to www.genderlinks.org.za or contact hr@genderlinks.org.za
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