Program Director, Francophone West Africa

Organizational Overview

Smile Train is the world’s leading cleft-focused organization. Our vision is a world where everyone has access to safe, high-quality comprehensive cleft care and can live a full and healthy life. We train and support doctors and other medical professionals to provide our patients with free, life-changing, comprehensive cleft treatment. This sustainable model has allowed us to support more than 2 million cleft surgeries in 95+ countries since our founding in 1999, and we’re still just getting started. We are truly changing the world one smile at a time!    

Make a Difference!

As Smile Train’s Program Director, Francophone West Africa the ideal candidate will provide efficient and strategic leadership to Smile Train programs in terms of high-quality and safe comprehensive cleft care through effective management of programs and partnerships across 3 countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger. This role combines strategic vision with operational excellence, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, sustainable, and locally adapted Comprehensive cleft care. The Director will lead a team of Program Managers, manage key partnerships, and drive regional growth in alignment with Smile Train’s global mission and strategy. Act when and where necessary to ensure the best interests of the organization and our programs. Be responsible for ensuring full compliance with Smile Train’s Safety & Quality Protocol and organizational Guidelines.

Key Responsibilities (Include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed)

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of cleft care programs across the countries, ensuring strategic alignment with Smile Train’s global mission.
• Lead efforts to expand access to high-quality CCC, incorporating surgery, anesthesia, speech therapy, orthodontics, Psychosocial, ENT and nutrition.
• Align regional programming with Smile Train’s global goals, ensuring a “glocalized” approach
• Oversee fiscal year planning, budgeting, and performance monitoring across multiple countries.
  

Team Management & Capacity Building

• Supervise and support country managers, fostering a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture.
• Support professional development and succession planning to ensure long-term program sustainability.
• Strengthen internal systems and processes to support effective program delivery.

Partnership & Relationship Management

• Serve as the senior liaison for key healthcare and non-healthcare partners including hospitals, government institutions, NGOs, and academic entities.
• Design and implement onboarding, training, and ongoing support initiatives that empower partners and enhance program quality.
• Monitor and respond to regional partner dynamics, identifying and resolving challenges, mitigating risks, and harnessing opportunities for innovation.

Program Implementation & Quality Assurance

• Lead the end-to-end implementation of cleft care programs across divers countries in the region.
• Ensure rigorous adherence to Smile Train’s global safety, quality, and reporting protocols.
• Spearhead the design and facilitation of regional training programs and workshops
• Encourage innovation through research and evidence-based practices.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Monitor program implementation using key performance indicators (KPIs) related to surgical volume, CCC delivery, training outcomes, and partner performance.
• Drive continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making and adaptive program management.
• Strengthen feedback mechanisms from partners, patients, and communities to ensure responsiveness and adaptability.
• Monitor and address reputational risks related to partner activities.

Financial Management

• Oversee regional budgets, funding applications, and financial reporting in collaboration with HQ Finance.
• Support the annual collection of in-kind contribution information
• Ensure responsible stewardship of resources, including compliance with procurement and grant management protocols.

Advocacy, Communications & Representation

• Represent Smile Train in regional forums, media engagements, and stakeholder meetings.
• Advocate for the integration of cleft care into national health systems and policies.
• Support content collection, branding compliance, and awareness campaigns in collaboration with the communications team.

 Cleft Leadership Center (CLC) Oversight (where applicable)

• Provide strategic and operational oversight for CLCs in the region, ensuring alignment with Smile Train’s governance framework.
• Facilitate donor and strategic partner visits and pilot collaborative innovative initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, International Development, Health Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in program management, preferably in health or development sectors.
• Experience with cross-sectoral collaboration and engagement with Government, medical institutions and global health partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams across countries and contexts.
• Proven leadership in managing multi-country programs in Francophone West Africa.
• Fluency in French and English (spoken and written) is required.
• Experience with donor-funded programs and managing complex grants.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the region.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Cross-cultural communication and diplomacy
• Data-driven decision-making
• Team leadership and mentorship
• Stakeholder engagement and advocacy
• Financial and operational oversight
• Commitment to Smile Train’s mission and values

Compensation

$35 – 38.4k/annual

Travel

Willingness to travel extensively within the region.

Accountability Expectations

• Ownership of Outcomes: Take full responsibility for one’s own performance, ensuring alignment with Smile Train’s mission and objectives.
• Transparent Communication: Communicate openly and effectively with team members, fostering trust and a shared understanding of expectations and priorities.
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrate empathy, understanding, and cultural sensitivity to contribute to an inclusive and supportive team environment.
  
• Empowerment: Effective communication with supervisors to ensure you are equipped with the resources, guidance, and autonomy you need to excel in your role
• Team Cohesion: Contribute to a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared accountability, helping the team to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment

Why You’ll Love Working Here!

Smile Train team members enjoy a full range of innovative benefits...

Meaningful Work – Be part of work that creates meaningful, lasting impact — changing the world one smile at a time.

We’ve Got You Covered – Enjoy a generous stipend towards medical expenses to help prioritize the health of you and your family.

Rest and Recharge - Enjoy a generous vacation package, paid holidays, and sick time so you can rest, recharge, and return feeling your best.

Family Matters - We support employees through life’s most important moments with paid parental leave, giving you time and flexibility for the people who matter most.

Learn and Grow - Take advantage of an annual professional development stipend and opportunities to expand your skills and continue learning.

Work Your Way – Thrive with a remote work model built for connection, balance, and impact.

Travel the World – See our impact firsthand while partnering with global colleagues and programs through opportunities for domestic and international travel.

Application Process

Smile Train is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

To apply, please complete the application online. Include your CV and a cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for Smile Train and this role. Only those who provide a cover letter as directed will be considered. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.