Deputy Director, Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme Delivery Unit (NTD PDU)

Role Overview

As programme lead for Ethiopia, you will guide the planning, coordination and oversight of neglected tropical disease (NTD) work, reporting to the Director of NTD Programme Delivery. You will bring government teams, partners and Sightsavers colleagues together to address delivery challenges, use programme and financial evidence to shape decisions, and support progress towards disease elimination and sustainable national ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide programme management support and technical guidance to national NTD programmes funded through the GTEF, RLMF and GiveWell portfolios.
• Work with ministries of health and Sightsavers teams to develop annual plans and budgets, review progress during the year, and agree necessary adjustments.
• Build productive working relationships and shared agreement among government stakeholders, donors, consortium members and implementing organisations.
• Oversee delivery of the SAFE approach to trachoma control, ensuring alignment with preferred practices, national NTD priorities, stronger health systems and long-term sustainability.
• Track programme performance and spending, identify risks, and oversee agreements, due diligence, logframes, contract close-out and follow-up improvements.
• Support the preparation of elimination dossiers and plans for transferring programme responsibilities into sustainable health-system structures.
• Coordinate consultants and international NGO partners, prepare timely reports grounded in evidence, and raise significant delivery issues with the appropriate leaders.
• Represent Sightsavers in external forums, contribute to funding proposals and deputise for the Director when needed.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Substantial international development experience, including responsibility for delivering complex, high-profile programmes.
• Extensive programme or project management experience in development, humanitarian or private-sector settings.
• Strong technical knowledge of the five preventive-chemotherapy NTDs, including disease management, disability and inclusion, mass drug administration, disease-specific assessments and dossier preparation.
• Detailed knowledge of preferred trachoma practices and experience navigating the context and sensitivities of working in countries such as Ethiopia.
• Evidence of successful multi-partner programme planning, budgeting, risk management and delivery.
• Strong skills in influencing, analysis, reporting and resolving complex problems.
• A master’s degree in public health or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Fluency in English and one of French, Spanish or Portuguese.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, particularly to Ethiopia and other countries covered by the programmes.
• Commitment to disability inclusion, equal opportunity and collaborative ways of working.
• Experience with elimination dossiers, health-system strengthening, transition planning or programmes in low- and middle-income countries is an advantage.