TRAIL Program Director

Role purpose

The TRAIL Program Director leads, manages, and strategically guides the TRAIL III Project and technical assistance to the Rural Connectivity for Improved Food Security Programme (RCFSP), ensuring effective implementation, coordination, and results delivery in line with Helvetas’ core principles, donor requirements, and the Country Strategy. This role provides both technical and managerial leadership to drive trans-formative rural connectivity, institutional strengthening, and evidence-based learning across all TRAIL operational regions.

The Program Director oversees the strategy and implementation of Helvetas Ethiopia’s TRAIL program in close collaboration with Bridges to Prosperity and the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure. He/she supports the government and local private sector in planning and delivering rural access at scale, ensuring that connectivity improvements reach the areas of greatest need.

This role requires extensive experience in fostering partnerships with ministries and government institutions, building strong relationships that promote local ownership, sustainability, and long-term service delivery. The Program Director also leads resource mobilization and advocacy efforts to enhance the program’s impact and reach.

Strategic Leadership and Program Oversight:

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Helvetas Ethiopia’s TRAIL III Program and Technical assistance of the Rural Connectivity for Improved Food Security Program (RCFSP), ensuring alignment with Helvetas’ country and global strategies, as well as national rural connectivity priorities.
• Lead the program’s planning, coordination, execution, adaptive management, and performance monitoring to achieve project and donor objectives.
• Oversee the development, review, and implementation of the Annual Plan of Operation (APO), ensuring high-quality delivery, reporting, and alignment with project goals.
• Design and implement strategies, plans, and procedures that maximize program impact and operational efficiency.
• Review and approve technical and financial reports, ensuring timely and accurate submission to donors and stakeholders.
• Represent Helvetas Ethiopia to government ministries, donors, vendors, and strategic partners to strengthen collaboration and program visibility.

Team Leadership and Staff Management:

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for project staff, including the TRAIL Program manager, Resource Mobilization and Partnership Expert and maintenance Officer fostering professional growth and accountability.
• Promote a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture across all TRAIL teams.
• Provide coaching, supervision, and performance reviews for senior project staff.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership:

• Represent TRAIL at national and strategic platforms, engaging with the Ethiopian Roads Administration, regional authorities, donors, academia, private sector actors, and development partners.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with government entities, NGOs, private sector, and academic institutions to enhance program impact and long-term institutional capacity.
• In collaboration with the resource mobilization and partnership expert, lead advocacy and resource mobilization efforts for rural access and trail bridge initiatives at local, national, and international levels.
• Coordinate with the Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) team and Helvetas’ National Program Director on Water, Food and Climate to ensure integrated program delivery, fundraising alignment, and effective donor engagement.
• Facilitate government negotiations, networking, and stakeholder collaboration to prioritize and advance rural infrastructure development and piloting of maintenance models.
• Represent Helvetas Ethiopia during national and international learning exchanges, field visits, and other strategic events.
• Ensure timely reporting and reimbursement recovery from partners and stakeholders.

Budget Oversight and Compliance:

• Provide strategic oversight of the TRAIL program and RCFSP budget, ensuring efficient resource utilization, donor compliance, and timely financial reporting.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager and finance team to monitor financial performance, recommend adjustments, and ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Approve and monitor realistic budgets for all program activities, ensuring transparency and adherence to organizational, donor, and government regulations.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Ensure a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning system is in place to measure impact and inform decision-making.
• Lead the documentation of lessons, dissemination of good practices, and contribution to Helvetas’ national and international learning platforms.
• Champion innovation, piloting, and scaling successful rural connectivity and inclusive infrastructure approaches.

Private Sector and Policy Engagement:

• Facilitate the integration of private sector actors in rural connectivity and local infrastructure ecosystems.
• Advocate for enabling policy environments, sustainable financing models, and institutional frameworks for trail bridge and feeder trail systems. that ensure long-term service delivery.

Education and Training:

Master’s degree in development studies, rural infrastructure, Business Administration, International Affairs/Development, Public Policy/Public Administration, Urban Planning, Civil Engineer, or a related field.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years in development programming with at least 5 years in senior leadership or program director roles.
• 5+ years of experience managing and leading a team in planning and/or delivering national programs is required.
• Experience with rural or infrastructure programs is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience establishing relationships with senior government and partners.
• Strong direct experience in advocacy.
• Proven experience managing multi-regional, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Strong experience in working with government systems, donor-funded programs, and rural infrastructure projects.
• A sound understanding of international development, especially in terms of infrastructure development and market systems development.
• Knowledge of delivering programs in challenging environments with good understanding and appreciation of the local context.

Organizational and Methodological Competencies:

• Strong program and change management skills.
• Proficiency in strategic planning, budgeting, and risk management.
• Familiarity with market systems development and gender-transformative programming.
• Proven networking and negotiation skills with governmental and non-governmental actors in Ethiopia and in international contexts.
• Strong strategic communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences and influence policy, partnerships, and program visibility.
• Record of raising funds from government and/or international agencies (bilateral/multilateral) preferred.
• Knowledge of financial and human resources management with experience owning significant budgets and leading staff teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high stakes projects in complex environments.

Leadership Competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to align operational execution with vision.
• Ability to inspire and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments.
• Proven experience of exercising leadership functions with increasing responsibility in an international environment related to development.