Job Opportunity: Programme Director – MECPZ
The Madrasa Early Childhood Programme – Zanzibar (MECP-Z), an affiliate of the Aga Khan Foundation Tanzania (AKF T), is seeking a visionary and dynamic Programme Director to provide strategic leadership, organizational oversight, and ensure sustainable impact for children and communities in Zanzibar.
Position Details
Title: Programme Director – MECPZ
Location: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Purpose
The Programme Director will serve as the most senior leader of MECP-Z, providing strategic direction, overseeing programme delivery, mentoring staff, and ensuring high-quality, evidence-based outcomes. The role involves strengthening institutional capacity, managing resources, fostering partnerships, and representing MECP-Z at national, regional, and international levels.
Key Responsibilities
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Provide strategic leadership in line with MECP-Z’s mandate and AKF’s goals.
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Oversee programme design, delivery, and quality assurance, ensuring evidence-based and community-responsive approaches.
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Lead, mentor, and support a diverse team, fostering excellence, accountability, and inclusion.
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Drive resource mobilisation and ensure robust financial management, compliance, and risk oversight.
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Build and sustain partnerships with government, donors, civil society, and community stakeholders.
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Represent MECP-Z in high-level forums to influence policy and practice.
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Promote equity, inclusion, safeguarding, and MECP’s core values in all operations.
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Ensure effective internal and external communications in collaboration with AKF.
Candidate Profile
Qualifications and Experience:
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Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Education, Development, International Relations, Public Management, Public Policy, Business Administration, or Social Work.
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Proven experience leading organizations or large teams, with expertise in strategic planning, staff development, and financial oversight.
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Experience in building effective partnerships with government, donors, and other stakeholders.
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Strong communication skills and ability to represent the organization in high-level forums.
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Experience working across diverse cultures, geographies, and organizational boundaries.
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Understanding of the Zanzibar or Tanzanian education landscape is an asset.
Core Competencies:
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Strategic Vision and Organisational Leadership
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Team Leadership and Talent Development
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Programme Quality and Accountability
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Partnership Development and Policy Engagement
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Equity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding
About the Agency
The Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP), an affiliate of the Aga Khan Foundation, has been improving access and quality of early childhood care and education in East Africa since the 1980s. MECP supports children ages 0–8, trains teachers, develops curricula, engages communities, and influences ECD policy. MECP has trained over 8,000 teachers and reached over 1 million children, contributing to the development of future educators and community workers.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV, including contacts of three references. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Note: AKF/MECP is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All staff and partners are expected to uphold this commitment.
