Senior Programs Officer

Job Description

Job Title:                               Senior Programs Officer

Grade:                                    D3

Application Deadline:          7^th December 2025 at 23:59 GMT

Start Date:                             1^st January 2026

Term:                                     Full-time (40 hours per week)

Hire Type:                             Fixed Term (24 months contract, renewable based on performance)

Location:                                Gambia Participates office, Kololi

Required Language(s):        English

Reports to:                             Programs Manager / Executive Director

1. Background

Gambia Participates (GP) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to strengthening governance within and beyond The Gambia. Established with a commitment to promoting a vibrant democracy, the organization has been contributing towards empowering citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) to actively participate in shaping the nation's socio-political and economic landscape. At the heart of Gambia Participates' mission is the belief that an informed and engaged citizenry is vital for the growth and development of a nation. The organization works towards advancing the principles of good governance, accountability, and electoral integrity. As one of the fastest-growing organizations in the civic space, GP is dedicated to making significant strides toward good governance and accountability.

2. Job Summary

The Senior Programs Officer will provide strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and oversight of GP's portfolio of programs. This role requires a seasoned professional with extensive experience in program management, resource mobilization, and stakeholder engagement. The Senior Programs Officer will supervise program staff, lead business development initiatives, ensure program quality and compliance, and represent the organization at high-level forums. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strategic thinking, exceptional leadership capabilities, and a deep commitment to advancing governance and accountability in The Gambia.

3. Key Responsibilities

The Senior Programs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Strategic Program Leadership:

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for GP's program portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and strategic objectives
• Lead the development of program strategies, theories of change, and strategic frameworks
• Oversee multiple programs simultaneously, ensuring coherence and synergy across initiatives
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on governance, elections, anti-corruption, public finance management, publi transparency, and accountability issues
• Provide leadership and supervise Programs Officers and Programs Assistants under his/her department 

 Resource Mobilization:

• Lead identification and pursuing of strategic funding opportunities
• Develop high-quality concept notes, proposals, and funding applications for institutional donors
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors
• Lead negotiations with donors and partners on program design and implementation
• Track funding trends and emerging opportunities in the governance and development sector
• Ensure diversification of funding sources to support organizational sustainability

Program Design and Management:

Key among the roles of the Senior Program Officer is Business Development

• Work with the Programs Manager and supervised staff to design and develop innovative programs addressing governance challenges.
• Develop comprehensive work plans, budgets, and logical frameworks for programs
• Ensure programs meet international standards and best practices in project management
• Monitor program implementation, identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies
• Ensure timely delivery of program outputs and achievement of outcomes
• Collaborate with finance team to ensure sound financial management of programs

High-Level Stakeholder Engagement:

• Represent GP at national, regional, and international forums, conferences, and meetings
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, donors, CSOs, and international organizations
• Lead advocacy initiatives and policy dialogue with key decision-makers
• Coordinate with media and communications team on strategic messaging and campaigns
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder platforms and coordination mechanisms

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning:

• Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting on program indicators
• Ensure organizational learning and adaptive management practices
• Produce high-quality programmatic reports for donors, board members, and stakeholders
• Document best practices, lessons learned, and case studies

Capacity Building and Team Leadership:

• Provide leadership and mentorship to program team members
• Design and facilitate high-level training programs for staff and external stakeholders
• Build organizational capacity in program management, and proposal development
• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Ensure all programs comply with donor requirements, national regulations, and organizational policies
• Maintain high standards of program quality, integrity, and accountability
• Oversee risk management and safeguarding measures across programs
• Ensure proper documentation and knowledge management systems

Requirements

4. Qualifications and Experience

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in International Development, Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree with exceptional experience may be considered
• Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in program management, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role
• Proven track record in successfully managing complex, multi-year, and multi-donor programs
• Demonstrated success in resource mobilization, with evidence of securing significant funding from institutional donors
• Extensive experience working with international donors (EU, USG Funding, UN agencies, foundations, etc.)
• Deep understanding of governance issues in The Gambia, including anti-corruption, public finance management, electoral processes, and civic engagement
• Strong knowledge of the NGO sector, civil society landscape, and development frameworks
• Excellent strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Outstanding proposal writing and donor reporting capabilities
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and representation skills
• Experience in policy advocacy and influencing decision-makers

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience working in fragile or transitioning democracies
• Knowledge of regional and international governance frameworks
• Experience with innovative programming approaches and adaptive management
• Publications or thought leadership in governance and development fields

5. Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to provide vision, direction, and strategic guidance
• Business Development Excellence: Proven ability to identify opportunities and secure funding
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of governance, accountability, and democratic processes
• Communication: Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English; proficiency in local languages is an advantage
• Relationship Management: Strong networking and partnership-building capabilities
• Results Orientation: Demonstrated ability to deliver quality results under pressure
• Innovation: Creative problem-solving and ability to design innovative interventions
• Integrity: High ethical standards and commitment to organizational values
• Cultural Competence: Ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts
• Digital Literacy: Proficiency in project management software, data analysis tools, and MS Office Suite

Additional Information