Program Director

Profile of the Organization
Living Water International (LWI) is a global non-governmental organisation that operates in Zambia. The organisation’s Christian witness demonstrates the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and experience “living water” (the gospel of Jesus Christ) which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. Their Christian witness is seen in communities where they provide sanitation and hygiene education through their core competencies, including stakeholder mobilisation to achieve behaviour change, improve sanitation infrastructure, and support water supply development. Their vision is to achieve their God given mandate and reach more communities in Zambia.

The Program Director’s Role
Living Water International Zambia is seeking an exceptional, visionary, and results-driven Program Director to provide transformative leadership and strategic oversight for its national Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs. The Program Director will be a transformational leader with strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and team development skills—capable of managing complex engineering projects, inspiring high-performing teams, and cultivating strategic partnerships across sectors. The Program Director will play a pivotal role in driving program innovation, operational excellence, and institutional growth to expand access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services for vulnerable communities across Zambia.

The Program Director position is a senior executive role that is ideal for a highly experienced and mission-aligned professional who combines deep technical expertise with proven leadership and management acumen to deliver high-impact, scalable, and sustainable development outcomes. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Program Director will lead the design, execution, and continuous improvement of WASH programs, ensuring they are technically sound, cost-effective, and aligned with both national development priorities and Living Water International’s global strategy.

Reporting and Place of Performance
The Program Director will be based in Lusaka and report to the Country Director.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Strategic Program Leadership & Oversight
• Provide technical expertise in civil and construction engineering to support WASH infrastructure development, including borehole drilling, water supply systems, and sanitation facilities.
• Lead planning, design, and execution of large-scale water and sanitation projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards, environmental sustainability, and government regulations.
• Drive the design, implementation, and scaling of impactful WASH interventions through evidence-based and context-appropriate engineering solutions.
• Ensure technical excellence in program delivery, incorporating quality assurance, innovation, and best practices in WASH infrastructure development.
• Oversee feasibility studies, technical assessments, and quality assurance protocols across all projects to ensure sustainability and resilience.
• Integrate climate-smart and environmentally sound engineering practices across program interventions.

2. Executive Team Leadership & Capacity Development
• Provide visionary leadership to a multidisciplinary team, fostering a shared vision, strong team culture, and high levels of motivation and accountability.
• Cultivate a leadership pipeline by identifying talent, building capacity, and mentoring senior staff to assume increased responsibilities.
• Establish clear performance standards, conduct regular evaluations, and drive continuous learning and staff development initiatives.
• Promote inclusive leadership practices that empower staff, encourage innovation, and support diversity and well-being.

3. Program Management Excellence
• Oversee program implementation with a focus on quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring strong alignment between field activities and strategic objectives.
• Institutionalize project management best practices, streamlining workflows, and improving coordination across teams.
• Lead adaptive management processes that translate M&E insights into real-time program improvements.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations
• Serve as the lead representative for programmatic issues with donors, government agencies, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Build and nurture high-impact strategic partnerships that amplify program reach and resource mobilization.
• Represent LWI Zambia in key sector platforms, leveraging influence to shape policy and advocate for increased investment in WASH.

5. Financial Stewardship & Risk Management
• Provide strategic oversight of program budgets and financial operations, ensuring transparency, cost-efficiency, and donor compliance.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation processes to safeguard program delivery and institutional integrity.
• Strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with organizational, legal, and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or related technical field.
• Master’s degree in Environmental and Sanitation Engineering (required); master’s in business administration (MBA) is a distinct advantage.
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in managing complex WASH or infrastructure programs, with a minimum of 5 years at a senior leadership level.
• Demonstrated excellence in team leadership, performance management, and staff capacity development.
• Proven success in managing multi-million-dollar programs, engaging with donors, and driving resource mobilization strategies.
• Deep understanding of policy and regulatory frameworks governing WASH in Zambia.
• Expertise in creating civil or construction engineering solutions, project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation, and organizational development.

Required Leadership Competencies
• Strategic Visioning – Demonstrated ability to set and drive long-term strategies that generate transformative impact.
• Influential Leadership – Ability to lead through influence, build consensus, and inspire diverse teams toward common goals.
• Operational Excellence – Skilled in optimizing program performance, ensuring accountability, and delivering results under pressure.
• Change Management – Adept at managing organizational change, fostering innovation, and driving institutional resilience.
• Stakeholder Diplomacy – Strong communicator and negotiator with a proven track record of engaging high-level stakeholders.

Personal Attributes
• Mission-driven and deeply committed to improving lives through sustainable WASH solutions.
• Ethical, accountable, and passionate about servant leadership.
• A resilient and adaptive leader capable of navigating complexity with confidence and composure.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and a role model for excellence and integrity.