Location: Bujumbura, Burundi

Starting date: As soon as possible

Vacancy closing date: 28 May 2025

Duration position: 3 years

Working hours/week: Fulltime (40 hours per week)

We are here for our neighbours in need, who are suffering in this broken world.

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.

ZOA is looking for a

Manager of Programme Quality

(Bujumbura, Burundi)

Our work in Burundi

ZOA has been operational in Burundi since 2007, implementing a diverse programme portfolio that supports peacebuilding, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, food security, decent and emergency shelter, water and sanitation (WASH). Working in Makamba, Rumonge, Cibitoke, and Ruyigi provinces, ZOA partners with local organisations, communities, and authorities to address root causes of poverty and displacement, promote inclusive development, and restore hope and dignity to the most vulnerable.

Burundi’s development context presents both challenges and opportunities. As Manager of Programme Quality, you will be pivotal in shaping innovative, conflict-sensitive, and impactful interventions in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Your challenge

The Manager of Programme Quality (MPQ) leads and coordinates ZOA Burundi’s programme quality agenda and plays a critical advisory role to the Country Director and Programme Managers. As a key member of the Country Management Team, the MPQ ensures programmes are evidence-based, accountable, gender-sensitive, and aligned with ZOA’s strategic and operational standards.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

Programme quality

• Advises and supports Country Director (CD) and Programme Managers (PGMs) on the development of the Country Strategy and Annual Plan
• Ensure quality and coherence in programme and project planning, monitoring, and learning.
• Guarantee alignment with ZOA policies and compliance with donor, national, and international guidelines and standards.
• Lead partner assessments and oversee the development of organisational capacity strengthening plans.
• Promote integration of gender, protection, and conflict sensitivity across the programme cycle.

Project monitoring and strategic support

• Develop, roll out, and refine Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems and tools that align with project objectives and donor requirements.
• Train, coach and build the capacity of MEAL officers and programme teams.
• Conduct regular field visits and project reviews to assess progress, identify challenges, and support adaptive management.
• Facilitate quarterly reflection meetings with programme teams to analyse performance data, draw lessons learned, and adjust strategies as needed.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of ZOA Burundi’s portfolio by providing evidence-based recommendations.
• Coordinate mid-term reviews and end-of-project evaluations to ensure strategic alignment and programmatic impact.

Funding development and donor engagement

• Lead the development of competitive, high-quality project proposals in collaboration with PGMs and technical teams.
• Ensure alignment of proposals with donor priorities, the Country Strategy, and ZOA’s global results framework.
• Support engagement with current and prospective institutional donors and partners, including local donor representations.
• Coordinate mapping of funding opportunities and contribute to developing a donor engagement strategy.
• Contribute to programmatic inputs during donor visits, audits, and strategic reviews.
• Collaborate and liaise with the Fundraising and Communications team at ZOA headquarters on private donors and foundations’ funding opportunities.

Knowledge management

• Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning across projects and teams.
• Lead or contribute to research, evaluations, and documentation of best practices.
• Initiate and support the design of pilot or innovative approaches that respond to local challenges.

Leadership and management

• Actively contribute to the Country Management Team (CMT) and support strategic decision-making processes.
• Where applicable, manage the Programme Quality team, fostering a learning, collaboration, and accountability culture.
• Supervise and appraise staff reporting to the MPQ, nurturing professional development.

Your profile

Identity

• The candidate is expected to fully support the vision, mission and Christian values of ZOA.

Knowledge & experience

• University degree in international development, humanitarian assistance, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant field experience in humanitarian or development contexts, preferably in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
• Demonstrated expertise in programme design, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning), and quality assurance across multi-sectoral programmes.
• Proven track record in developing successful grant proposals and managing institutional donor relationships (e.g., EU, Dutch MFA, US Gov., ENABEL, UN agencies).
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to link field-level realities to national and global frameworks.
• Experience with partner assessments, capacity strengthening, and working through local or community-based organisations.
• Solid understanding of cross-cutting themes such as conflict sensitivity, gender equality, protection, and social inclusion.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in French and English.
• Strong computer literacy. Competences in digital data collection platforms (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK), MS Office Suite, and results-based reporting systems are a plus.

Skills & attitude

• Strategic thinker with strong conceptual and analytical skills, capable of linking vision to action.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities, focusing on team empowerment, mentoring, and capacity development.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with a high level of initiative and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Committed to quality and accountability, ensuring programmes are people-centred, inclusive, and evidence-driven.
• Culturally sensitive and diplomatic, able to work effectively across diverse teams and politically complex environments.
• Resilient and flexible, with a positive attitude and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Demonstrates integrity and professionalism, aligned with ZOA’s Christian values and humanitarian principles.

Special conditions/circumstances

• Up to 1/3 of time required for travel.

Our offer

• A challenging and inspiring role in an ambitious, committed, and supportive team.
• A full-time international contract for 3 years, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding.
• A competitive remuneration and benefits package, appropriate to the NGO sector and aligned with ZOA’s international salary scale.
• Opportunities for professional growth, learning, and international exposure within ZOA’s global network.

Do you need more information?

For more information about ZOA, please visit our website www.zoa-international.com.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work for ZOA? Visit our Career Page and read the stories of possible future colleagues!

If you would have any questions about this vacancy, don’t hesitate to contact Arno van Turennout, email [email protected].