Head of Development Programs

The position

Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) India was established in 2016 with the vision of creating habitats that allow communities to be resilient to disasters, adapt to climate change, and thrive. With a focus on urban resilience, various initiatives of AKAH work to reduce vulnerability to climate change and disasters through community-led

efforts with a strong synergy between traditional knowledge, innovation, and technical integration. Location Mumbai.

Position Overview

The Head of Development Programs will provide strategic leadership, program management, and technical oversight for the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India's initiatives across the thematic areas of Climate Resilience & Biodiversity. This role involves overseeing program design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, partnership development, donor engagement, and team capacity building to ensure impactful, sustainable, and scalable interventions.

The role demands a visionary leader with proven experience in managing multi-sectoral development programs, strong understanding of climate and environmental issues, and a commitment to community-centered approaches.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Management

Lead the formulation and implementation of AKAH India's integrated Development Programs & Environment Management strategy.

Ensure thematic integration of water security, infrastructure improvement, climate resilience, habitat improvement, and urban development.

Oversee portfolio planning, annual work plans, and multi-year program pipelines in alignment with national and global priorities.

Foster cross-sector collaboration between technical, program, and support teams for holistic impact. Provide vision and leadership for AKAH India's program strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational mission, AKAH Global frameworks, and emerging development priorities.

Oversee program design ensuring alignment with organizational goals, donor priorities, and global best practices.

Manage and guide Program Managers/Coordinators to deliver high-quality, timely, and cost-effective projects.

Ensure integration of thematic areas to maximize impact and sustainability.

Technical Guidance

Provide subject-matter expertise Urban Habitat Development, Water Security Management, and Climate Resilience & Biodiversity.

Ensure that all programs are grounded in evidence-based approaches and incorporate innovations where relevant.

Stay updated on policy, research, and global frameworks (e.g., SDGs, COPs) relevant to thematic areas.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

Oversee the development and implementation of MEL frameworks to track progress, outcomes, and impact. Promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management.

Ensure that lessons learned are documented and shared internally and externally.

Partnerships & Networking

Build and maintain relationships with government bodies, donors, research institutions, and other NGOs.

Represent the organization at national and international forums, conferences, and policy dialogues.

Foster partnerships for joint programming, advocacy, and resource mobilization.

Resource Mobilization

Work closely with the fundraising and proposal development team to identify funding opportunities and facilitate developing compelling proposals.

Maintain strong donor relations and ensure compliance with grant requirements.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

Mentor and develop program staff, fostering a high-performance culture.

Identify training needs and provide opportunities for professional development.

Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team.

The requirements

Qualifications & Experience

Master's degree in Environmental Science, Climate Studies, Water Resources, Development Studies, or related field.

Minimum 15 to 20 years of progressive experience in program management within the development or, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the thematic areas; strong working knowledge of the third.

Proven track record in managing multi-donor, multi-location projects in India.

Experience working with rural and vulnerable communities, particularly in climate-sensitive geographies.

Strong understanding of Indian policy frameworks, government programs, and international conventions relevant to thematic areas.

Excellent proposal writing, donor reporting, and presentation skills.

Fluency in English and Hindi (knowledge of regional languages is an advantage).

Competencies & Skills

Strategic thinking and analytical skills.

Strong leadership and people management abilities.

Excellent communication and advocacy skills.

Financial acumen and budget management experience.

Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.

Adaptability, resilience, and a problem-solving mindset.

Sector

Social Development

About the Agency

A new agency, the Aga Khan Agency for the Habitat (AKAH), works to ensure that people live in physical settings that are as safe as possible from the effects of natural disasters, that residents who do live in such high risk areas are able to cope with disasters in terms of preparedness and response, and that these settings provide access to social and financial services that lead to greater opportunities and a better quality of life. The new agency merges the activities of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, with its prize-winning water and sanitation programmes and low-cost habitat products, such as smoke-free stoves; the humanitarian arm of AKDN, FOCUS, which promotes disaster mitigation and resiliency and intervenes after disasters; the AKDN's Disaster Risk Management Initiative, which focuses on disaster preparedness in remote areas; and the environment- and habitat-related activities of the Aga Khan Foundation, including the Prince Sadruddin Fund for the Environment and the Foundation's highly regarded rural support programmes.

Region

South Asia

Location

India

Salary

Salary and package to attract the best candidate

Job Expires

12-Sep-2025

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