DIRECTOR - REGIONAL PROGRAM EXCELLENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS - EAST & SOUTHERN AFRICA

This role is open to nationals in any of our ESA countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. JOB SUMMARY: Are you a visionary leader who thrives at the intersection of program quality, strategic partnerships, and regional impact? Do you excel at bringing diverse teams together to deliver high-quality, transformative programming at scale? CARE is seeking a highly strategic and collaborative Director, Regional Program Excellence & Partnerships to drive program excellence, strengthen regional coherence, and accelerate fundraising efforts across the ESA region. This is a pivotal leadership role that shapes CARE’s regional programming footprint and positions the region for long-term success in alignment with CARE’s 2030 Vision. If you are passionate about quality, innovation, partnership-building, and driving collective impact—this role is for you. Why This Role Matters As a cornerstone of the Regional Management Unit, you will be the quality assurance leader and strategic connector—ensuring that programs across East & Southern Africa meet the highest standards while enabling collaboration that strengthens outcomes for the communities we serve. You will work hand-in-hand with Country Offices, CARE Member Partners (CMPs), PSI (Program Strategy and Innovation), IPO (International Programs and Operations), and regional teams to steward multi-country programming, enhance program design, and create coordinated fundraising pathways. Your leadership will ensure that our programming is not only compliant and impactful—but also innovative, locally led, evidence-driven, and aligned with global best practices. What You Will Lead Program Delivery Quality Assurance: You will lead the development and oversight of robust regional quality assurance systems that elevate program design, implementation, MEAL, and evaluation across all Country Offices. This includes conducting regular program quality reviews, ensuring alignment with CARE’s Programming Standards and 2030 Strategy, driving data-informed improvements, coordinating technical assistance, and stewarding knowledge management and learning agendas to strengthen localization and networked impact across the region. Regional Proposal Development & Fundraising Coordination: You will coordinate multi-country and regional proposal development processes, ensuring strategic alignment with CARE Member Partners and leveraging regional comparative strengths. This includes managing the regional proposal pipeline, improving proposal quality through reflective learning, and driving a cohesive partnership strategy that positions the region for greater resource mobilization and stronger engagement with donors and strategic partners. CMP, PSI & IPO Coordination and Support: You will serve as the central regional liaison for CARE Member Partners, PSI, and IPO teams—ensuring structured communication, coordinated program priorities, and effective collaboration. Your role will foster learning exchange, facilitate joint programming opportunities, strengthen access to technical support, and cultivate regional communities of practice that enhance innovation and cross-organizational alignment. Support to Staff Management & Leadership: You will contribute to strong performance management systems by supporting goal setting, coaching, and professional development across regional and CO program teams. Additionally, you will play a key role in recruitment, onboarding, and capability strengthening efforts, helping to build high-performing teams that can deliver quality programming across the ESA region #LI-AM2