Education: Master’s degree in Law, Social Sciences, International Development, or related field.

Overall Purpose of the Role
The Programme Development and Quality Manager provides strategic leadership and management oversight of DRC’s sectoral work, leads programme development and business development, and monitors the quality and outcomes of DRC’s programmes. The postholder supports DRC Ethiopia’s Head of Programme in maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and donors. The role ensures programmes are designed and delivered in an integrated manner, with a strong focus on Gender and Inclusion and system strengthening. The role holder is also part of DRC Ethiopia Extended Senior Management Team, contributing to country office strategy and key decision-making.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Direction:

• Support development and implementation of the country programme strategy and ensure coherent sectoral strategies.
• Align programming with DRC Global Response Framework, ensuring timely, quality emergency responses and strengthened local systems.
• Lead development and practical application of contextualized Theory of Change (TOC).
• Monitor programmatic, operational, and business development trends and sector innovations.
• Drive sectoral integration, evidence-based programming, and replicability.
• Ensure proposals integrate CHS commitments, cross-cutting themes including Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD), and lessons learned.
• Coordinate needs assessments, contextual analyses, and feasibility studies.
• Support localization and inclusive systems initiatives across sectors.
• Increase visibility and documentation of DRC programmes in Ethiopia.

Quality and Impact:

• Lead continuous quality assurance and outcome monitoring of DRC Ethiopia and partner work.
• Develop and implement program quality standards, tools, and guidance.
• Ensure technical consistency and alignment of program activities across locations.
• Lead internal quality reviews, program audits, and performance assessments.
• Collaborate with MEAL to monitor immediate and long-term outcomes and disseminate findings to donors, authorities, and partners.
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms, including feedback and complaints systems.
• Facilitate cross-learning and lessons learned integration across teams.

Leadership and Management:

• Manage and lead technical coordinators, specialists, and MEAL unit staff, building unity, mentoring, and aligning work to shared direction.
• Ensure resource prioritization and forward planning in dialogue with Head of Programmes.
• Collaborate across programme teams and support integrated programme design with GESI focus.

Staff Capacity Building:

• Identify technical capacity gaps and deliver training, mentoring, and coaching.
• Support development of curriculum, guidance notes, and SOPs.
• Ensure field teams have skills and support to meet quality standards.

Innovation:

• Identify opportunities for innovation in programme development and quality.

Other Duties:

• Support proposal development, writing guides, and submission calendars.
• Participate in day-to-day management as part of Extended Senior Management Team.
• Perform other duties as agreed with Head of Programme.

Experience and Technical Competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in inclusive systems work in fragile contexts or protracted crises.
• Strong technical expertise on GESI.
• Technical experience in at least two DRC core sectors.
• Track record in business development, budget development, project cycle management, and MEAL.
• Experience coordinating with national partners, local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia’s economic and political context.

Education:
Master’s degree in Law, Social Sciences, International Development, or related field.

Language Requirements:
Excellent verbal and written English and Amharic. Regional languages are an asset.

DRC Core Competencies:
Striving for excellence: Focus on achieving results efficiently.
Collaborating: Involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
Taking the lead: Show initiative and ownership.
Communicating: Listen and speak effectively and honestly.
Demonstrating integrity: Uphold high ethical standards and safeguarding.

What We Offer:
Contract length: 12 Months. Contract type: National Contract. Band: F1 – Management. Duty station: Addis Ababa. Start date: 01 January 2026. Salary and conditions follow DRC Terms of Employment for National staff.

How to Apply:
Applicants must upload a cover letter and updated CV (maximum 4 pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Closing date: 10 Dec 2025. More information at drc.ngo.

Equal Opportunity:
DRC encourages women to apply and is committed to gender equality and diversity. Only qualified Ethiopian nationals will be considered. DRC does not discriminate based on age, sex, disability, religion, ethnicity, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics.

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