Program Manager

Willows International Tanzania (WIT) is a non-profit International Organization registered in the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar. WIT is mainly focused on working collaboratively with and providing close technical and implementation support to the Government of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, through the Ministries of Health (MOH) and PORALGSD, to institutionalize and operationalize robust, sustainable, and strengthened health systems.  

WIT’s work particularly focuses on data-driven and outcome-based implementation of the national Community Based Health Program; strengthened and intensified supportive supervision and monitoring of field teams; building the capacity of Health Care Providers, Supervisors, Community Health Workers and Health Facility Governing Committees and equipping them with simplified and effective systems and tools; systematic prioritization of client visits and customized follow-up based on identified health needs within communities; strengthening responsive referral systems; bridging the demand and supply sides of health service delivery; designing and implementing evidence-based, high impact RMNCAH intervention packages; and improving effective access to and utilization of quality RMNCAH services across the country.  

Through these efforts, Willows International aims to support the Governments in achieving significant and sustainable improvements in health outcomes, including averting preventable maternal and child deaths, improving the quality of life of communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

To support the effective delivery of this mandate, Willows International Tanzania (WIT) invites suitably qualified and motivated candidates to apply for the following positions:  

1. Program Manager – 1 position
2. Digital Health Information Systems Officer - 1 position
3. Social and Behaviour Change and Communication (SBCC) Officer – 6 positions.

Employment Terms: Full-time contract.

Duty Station: Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Residence and Familiarity with Zanzibar: Candidates currently residing in Zanzibar or who have previously lived in Zanzibar are particularly encouraged to apply. However, suitably qualified candidates from other locations who are willing and able to relocate to Unguja, Zanzibar, are equally welcome to apply.  

Terms of Reference (TORs) for the positions advertised: The detailed ToRs for each of the advertised positions are provided below for applicants’ reference.

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR A PROGRAM MANAGER

Background  

Willows International Tanzania (WIT) works in close collaboration with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ), through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the President’s Office Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments (PORALGSD), to strengthen and institutionalize sustainable, government-owned health systems that contribute to improved health outcomes across Zanzibar.

WIT’s support is anchored within Zanzibar’s national Community Based Health Program (CBHP), with particular emphasis on strengthening the interconnected systems and implementation structures required to translate national policies and strategies into effective services at community level and bridging with health facility setting. These include Community Health Workers (CHWs), Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs), Field-Based Supervision (FBS), and the Community Health Information System (CHIS), alongside strengthened coordination, supportive supervision, performance monitoring, and use of data for continuous program improvement and decision-making.

Working closely with the Government and other partners, WIT supports the development, institutionalization, and operationalization of standardized, integrated, and practical systems and tools that enable frontline teams, supervisors, and community structures to effectively plan, implement, monitor, and continuously improve service delivery. Particular attention is placed on strengthening the capacity and performance of CHWs and their supervisory structures; systematic identification, prioritization, referral, and follow-up of clients; responsive linkages between communities and health facilities; and effective use of community health information to inform action and improve accountability for results.

Through these efforts, WIT seeks to strengthen equitable access to and effective utilization of quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services, including early pregnancy identification, Antenatal Care (ANC), family planning, health facility delivery, Comprehensive Post-Abortion Care (cPAC), Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP), Postnatal Care (PNC), and other highimpact interventions.

Ultimately, WIT’s approach is focused on supporting Government ownership, institutionalization, sustainability, and continuous strengthening of health systems, while building the capacity of frontline structures to deliver measurable results. Through this partnership, WIT aims to contribute to sustained improvements in health outcomes, including the reduction of preventable maternal and child morbidity and mortality, improved quality of life for communities, and a more responsive and resilient health system that leaves no one behind.

Scope of the Program  

The WIT Zanzibar Program is designed to translate its overarching objectives into coordinated, measurable, and sustainable results through the effective implementation of approved program strategies, interventions, activities, and deliverables.

Program implementation is anchored around three interrelated and cross-cutting thematic areas: Advocacy and Policy Influence, Capacity Building, and Coordination. These thematic areas are integrated throughout the program implementation cycle to strengthen alignment with Government priorities, enhance institutional and frontline implementation capacity, and promote effective collaboration among Government structures, implementing teams, communities, and other relevant stakeholders.

Across these thematic areas, the Program emphasizes effective planning and execution, strengthened implementation systems and processes, supportive supervision and performance monitoring, timely use of program data and evidence, continuous identification and resolution of implementation bottlenecks, documentation and application of lessons learned and best practices, and accountability for agreed results and deliverables.

The Program Manager will therefore be expected to provide the strategic, technical, and operational leadership required to ensure that these interconnected program components are effectively coordinated and translated into timely, high quality, and measurable results, while maintaining alignment with WIT priorities and Government systems and structures.

Position Summary  

Willows International Tanzania (WIT) seeks to recruit a highly competent, results-oriented, and experienced Program Manager (PM) to contribute into the strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the effective implementation of the WIT Zanzibar Program. The position will be based in Zanzibar and will report directly to the Zanzibar Program Lead/MEL Manager, and overall, to the Country Director.

The Program Manager will be responsible for translating approved program strategies, proposals, workplans, and management priorities and directives into well-coordinated, timely, and measurable results. While working closely with the Program Lead/MEL Manager, the incumbent will provide day-today leadership and oversight of program implementation, ensuring effective planning, coordination, execution, monitoring, documentation, and reporting of program activities, deliverables, and milestones in accordance with agreed quality standards, timelines, and organizational requirements.

Working across program teams and in close collaboration with Government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders, the Program Manager will proactively identify implementation priorities, bottlenecks, emerging needs, and opportunities for improvement, and facilitate timely and practical actions to maintain program performance and momentum. The incumbent will promote effective teamwork, accountability for results, responsive communication, evidence-informed decision-making, and continuous learning across the program implementation cycle.

The Program Manager is expected to provide practical and context-responsive technical insights informed by Zanzibar’s policy, institutional, community, and operational landscape. The incumbent will support strong alignment between WIT’s program objectives and Government priorities, systems, and structures, while contributing to the institutionalization, sustainability, and continuous strengthening of the Community Based Health Program (CBHP) and health systems.

Given WIT’s integrated and adaptive approach to program implementation, the Program Manager will also be expected to provide technical and operational backstopping to the Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) function, as required, and undertake other complementary responsibilities necessary to support the successful delivery of the Zanzibar Program.

Key Duties and Responsibilities  

Under the close technical coordination with the Zanzibar Program Lead/MEL Manager and overall leadership of the Country Director, the Program Manager will be responsible for the following:

1. Program Leadership, Planning and Delivery: Provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the effective planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of the WIT Zanzibar Program, ensuring that approved objectives, workplans, activities, deliverables, and milestones are achieved on time and to the required quality standards.
2. Performance Management and Accountability for Results: Establish and maintain effective systems for tracking program implementation and performance; proactively identify bottlenecks, implementation gaps, emerging priorities, and risks; and facilitate timely corrective actions to sustain progress and achievement of agreed results.
3. Monitoring, Data Use and Reporting: Work closely with the Zanzibar Program Lead/MEL Manager and program team to strengthen routine monitoring, data quality and use, analysis, documentation, and reporting, ensuring that program decisions and improvement actions are informed by timely, accurate, and relevant evidence.
4. Government and Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthen and maintain effective working relationships with relevant Government institutions, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, ensuring appropriate coordination, information sharing, alignment with Government priorities, and meaningful stakeholder engagement throughout program implementation.
5. Team Leadership, Coordination and Capacity Strengthening: Provide effective day-to-day coordination, guidance, and support to program teams; promote clear accountability, responsive communication, teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning; and strengthen the capacity of team members to deliver high-quality results.
6. Learning, Adaptation and Continuous Improvement: Ensure systematic documentation and application of lessons learned, best practices, implementation experiences, and emerging opportunities, and translate these into practical recommendations for program adaptation, improved performance, and sustainability.
7. Technical and Operational Support: Provide context-responsive technical advice and operational support to WIT Management and program teams, including appropriate backstopping of the Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) function and coordination of key program meetings, workshops, capacity-building activities, and other strategic engagements, as required.
8. Organizational Representation and Compliance: Uphold WIT’s values, policies, standards, and management guidance; represent the organization professionally with Government and other stakeholders; safeguard organizational interests; and undertake other responsibilities assigned by the Supervisors.

Core Requirements  

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a strong combination of relevant technical expertise, program leadership experience, strategic thinking, and the interpersonal competencies required to operate effectively within Zanzibar’s public health and broader health sector environment. 

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant professional background: Advanced training and demonstrated professional experience in Public Health, Community Health, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), or another closely related field.
• Program management experience: Demonstrated experience in designing, planning, managing, monitoring, and evaluating complex public health or community health programs, with a strong track record of translating program strategies and workplans into measurable results.
• Knowledge of the Zanzibar context: Strong understanding of Zanzibar’s public health and community health landscape, including experience working with Government structures and other stakeholders. Previous professional experience within the Zanzibar context will be a strong advantage.
• Community health and RMNCAH expertise: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in community health programming and high-impact RMNCAH interventions. Experience in advocacy and policy influence related to comprehensive FP, and other priority RMNCAH interventions like ANC, H/F delivery and PNC, will be an added advantage.
• Government and stakeholder engagement: Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain effective professional relationships and work collaboratively with Government institutions, implementing partners, communities, and other stakeholders at subnational, national, and, where relevant, international levels.
• Capacity strengthening and knowledge translation: Demonstrated experience in developing quality training and workshop materials, facilitating capacity building processes, and translating complex technical information into practical and easily understood guidance for diverse audiences. Experience in curriculum, strategy, or technical tool development will be an added advantage.
• Evidence, learning and reporting: Strong analytical, synthesis, documentation, and professional writing skills, with demonstrated ability to interpret program information and evidence, identify implementation priorities and gaps, and produce high-quality reports and actionable recommendations. 

Core Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strategic and systems thinking, with the ability to understand the broader health system while maintaining a strong focus on implementation and results.
• Results orientation and accountability, with demonstrated initiative, sound judgement, and the ability to drive priorities through to completion.
• Leadership and team effectiveness, including the ability to coordinate, motivate, support, and strengthen multidisciplinary teams while fostering collaboration, creativity, learning, and innovation.
• Problem-solving and adaptability, with the ability to anticipate emerging program needs, navigate implementation challenges, manage competing priorities, and identify practical solutions in a dynamic operating environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including excellent written and verbal communication and professional fluency in both English and Kiswahili.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct, with respect for colleagues, Government counterparts, communities, partners, and organizational values.
• Ability to work effectively with appropriate independence, while maintaining strong communication, collaboration, accountability, and responsiveness to management guidance.

Our Philosophy

At Willows International Tanzania, we believe that meaningful and sustainable impact is achieved through shared responsibility, teamwork, integrity, adaptability, continuous learning, and a collective commitment to results. While every staff member has clearly defined areas of responsibility, our approach encourages individuals to contribute beyond the traditional boundaries of their roles whenever their expertise experience, and initiative can add value to the Program, the organization, and ultimately the communities we serve.

How to apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit a cover letter explaining their motivation to work with Willows International, together with an updated CV and contact details for three professional references. The cover letter should be addressed to: Country Director, P O Box 2098, Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania. WIT is an equal opportunity employer, and suitably qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications should be submitted by email no later than close of business on Tuesday, 25 August 2026 to [email protected] and copied to [email protected]. 

Applicants should clearly indicate the title of the position they are applying for in the email subject line.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.