Senior Program Manager – Eye Health

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Program Manager – Eye Health provides strategic and technical leadership to ensure the successful delivery of The Fred Hollows Foundation’s (FHF) comprehensive eye health initiatives in Ethiopia. This role champions alignment with national eye health priorities and FHF’s global strategy, focusing on key interventions such as Road Safety and Vision, Refractive Error Services, and High-Volume Cataract Surgeries and sustainability and quality of eye health services in the health system in oromia region and at federal level.

The role is responsible for end-to-end program oversight—covering planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence. The Senior Program Manager also plays a key role in strengthening systems, generating evidence, and building the capacity of local actors to sustainably reduce avoidable blindness and ensure quality, equitable eye care services. Leading impactful, scalable, and sustainable eye health programs that transform lives and strengthen national health systems in Ethiopia.

ABOUT YOU

You are a highly motivated, results-oriented professional and leader with exceptional expertise and a proven track record in ophthalmology and eye health programming. You bring deep technical knowledge and extensive experience in designing, leading, and implementing comprehensive eye care initiatives that deliver measurable impact. You have demonstrated excellence in developing and executing effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems that drive data-informed decision-making and continuous program improvement. Your strong leadership skills enable you to guide diverse teams, foster accountability, and build a high-performance culture.

With a strategic and solutions-focused mindset, you excel at navigating complex challenges and identifying innovative approaches to improve service delivery. You are experienced in cultivating strong partnerships with government agencies, donors, NGOs, and community stakeholders to advance shared goals. Your capabilities in budget planning, financial oversight, and ensuring donor compliance for large-scale programs make you an asset in dynamic and resource-constrained environments. Above all, you are committed to eliminating avoidable blindness and advancing sustainable eye health systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide visionary and results-driven leadership for the design, implementation, and evaluation of eye health programs in Ethiopia, ensuring alignment with The Fred Hollows Foundation’s (FHF) strategic objectives and the country's national eye health priorities.
• Ensure the program initiatives reflect FHF’s mission to eliminate avoidable blindness, are technically sound, evidence-based, and centred on equity and sustainability.
• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive annual workplans, budgets, risk management strategies, and performance targets, ensuring timely and efficient execution of all planned activities.
• Regularly review and adapt program strategies to respond to emerging challenges, evidence, and shifts in national or global health priorities.
• Ensure clinical and ethical standards are embedded in all service delivery components, in collaboration with technical teams, partners, and regulatory bodies.
• Oversee all program operations, ensuring activities are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and meet or exceed expected quality and impact standards.
• Ensure strong coordination between FHF teams, government counterparts, implementing partners, and local stakeholders for cohesive and integrated program delivery.
• Proactively identify and resolve implementation challenges, applying adaptive management principles to ensure the program remains agile and responsive.
• Lead the development, execution, and oversight of program budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness, compliance, and alignment with donor and internal financial standards.
• Collaborate with finance and grants teams to monitor spending, validate forecasts, and ensure accuracy of financial reporting across all program components.
• Oversee the implementation of robust MEL systems to track progress against goals, capture outcomes, and measure the effectiveness of interventions.
• Build and maintain influential partnerships with government ministries, health bureaus, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral donors, professional associations, and the private sector.
• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary program team, promoting high standards of professionalism, accountability, and performance.
• Promote continuous innovation in service delivery models, technology integration, and community engagement approaches to enhance impact and efficiency.

REPORTING:

• The Senior Program Manager – Eye Health reports to the Head of Programs/Deputy Country Director, and Senior Project Director – Global Eye Health Initiative who is responsible for the successful implementation of the country program.
• The Senior Optometrists and Senior Eye Health Expert reports to the Senior Program Manager – Eye Health.
• The Senior Program Manager regularly engages with technical resources from The Fred Hollows Foundation’s (FHF) headquarters, global offices, and country support networks.
• The Senior Program Manager works closely with the Senior Project Director – Global Eye Health Initiative on donor engagement, reporting, and project management.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Ophthalmologist, Cataract Surgeon, Ophthalmic nurse/Optometrist with master’s degree in public health, or related field.
• At least 10 years of progressive program management experience, preferably in health or eye health programs.
• Strong experience managing large-scale, donor-funded projects (e.g., USAID, DFID, EU, etc.).
• Demonstrate experience in budget management, compliance, and financial oversight.
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proven experience in negotiating and partnering with government agencies and development partners.
• Experience in social development, public health, or rehabilitation sectors; exposure to eye health programs is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in high-level representation, strategic advocacy, and stakeholder engagement with senior government officials, multilateral agencies, and other partners.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead teams and influence senior stakeholders effectively.
• Experience in resource mobilization and a proven track record of securing significant funding for local programs.
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to develop and implement sound financial policies and procedures. Excellent project management skills; prior exposure to eye health-related programs is an asset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, advocate, and represent effectively, fluent in English, Afan Oromo, and Amharic, enhancing communication across diverse communities and stakeholders.

Skills Required:

• Health / Medical