Role purpose

We are seeking a visionary and strategic Chief Program Officer (CPO) to lead Orbis’s global program portfolio and position the organization as an evidence-based thought leader in eye health, global health and development.

 

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a key member of Orbis’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and is responsible for the vision, strategy, quality, and impact of Orbis’s global programs.

 

The CPO will lead and collaborate with a diverse global team to design, scale, and deliver high-impact eye health programming grounded in clinical excellence, strong monitoring and evaluation, effective policy engagement, and sustainable systems change.

 

Key areas of focus include:

• Global Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) excellence and evidence generation.

• Multi-year country grant strategy and partnership with Development on resource mobilization.

• Global policy and advocacy to advance global and regional global eye health priorities.

• Global program model design, innovation, and scale.

• Portfolio strategy—defining where Orbis operates, at what depth, and at what scale.

• Building global partnerships in collaboration to accelerate impact.

• Direct leadership of the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) region.

• Close partnership with the Head of Regions (Africa & Asia) and Country Directors.

• Serving as a global external representative and thought leader.

• The CPO ensures Orbis’s program portfolio is executed with excellence, accountability, and alignment to the organization’s Global Strategy.

 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Global Strategy

• Serve as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team, shaping Orbis’s global strategic direction.
• Lead the development and execution of Orbis’s global program vision and portfolio strategy, ensuring clarity on geographic presence, depth of engagement, and scale.
• Advise the CEO and Board on global health trends, eye care policy developments, and strategic opportunities.
• Position Orbis as a partner of choice and thought leader in global public health and eye health systems strengthening.

 

Global Program Strategy, Design & Scale

• Design scalable program models collaboratively that combine clinical excellence, systems strengthening, innovation, and sustainability.
• Identify and develop priority program models that can be replicated and expanded across regions.
• Ensure integration of research, evidence, and best practices into program design and implementation.
• Drive a culture of program excellence and continuous improvement across all regions.

 

Global Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Establish and strengthen a robust global MEL framework to measure outcomes, impact, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure that learning informs strategy, program refinement, and future design.
• Oversee high-quality reporting to donors, governments, and the Board.
• Elevate Orbis’s evidence base to reinforce credibility and thought leadership.

 

Global Resource Mobilization & Strategic Global Partnerships

• Partner closely with the Chief Development Officer to support multi-year country grant fundraising and diversified revenue growth.
• Engage directly with bilateral, multilateral, ODA, and development bank stakeholders to build multi-year partnerships.
• Strengthen relationships with global institutions, UN agencies, AU/EU bodies, and government officials.
• Identify and cultivate strategic global partnerships necessary to scale impact.

 

Regional Leadership & Country Partnership Support

• Provide direct leadership to the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) region.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Head of Regions (Africa & Asia) and Country Directors to strengthen performance, scale, and sustainability.
• Support country program growth, localization efforts, and systems strengthening.
• Ensure strong alignment between global strategy and country-level implementation.

 

Global Policy & Advocacy (Influencing)

• Lead Orbis’s programmatic engagement in global, regional, and national eye health policy and advocacy efforts.
• Advance Orbis’s presence in key policy forums and global health convenings.
• Articulate and promote Orbis’s programmatic vision to exRRternal audiences.
• Continue to articulate our commitment and programming related to girls & women, gender transformative approaches, and equity.

 

Operational Excellence, Compliance & Safeguarding

• Ensure effective portfolio management, budgeting, and financial accountability across programs.
• Strengthen program governance, risk management, and adherence to safeguarding and PSEAH principles.
• Partner with internal leaders to ensure programs are delivered safely and ethically.

 

External Representation & Thought Leadership

• Serve as a visible global representative of Orbis in public health and development forums.
• Engage ministers, donors, multilateral institutions, and sector leaders.
• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Elevate Orbis’s brand as a leader in ocular health and systems strengthening.

 

Key Competencies

• Global Health & International Development Expertise: Deep knowledge of public health systems strengthening, international development, and global health policy.

• Strategic Portfolio Leadership: Proven experience designing and managing multi-country program portfolios and scaling program models.

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Evidence Orientation: Strong understanding of MEL frameworks and impact measurement methodologies.

• Resource Mobilization Partnership: Experience engaging bilateral/multilateral donors and partnering with development teams on large, multi-year grants.

• Policy & Advocacy Leadership: Demonstrated ability to influence policy environments and represent organizations in global forums.

• Regional & Cross-Cultural Leadership: Experience leading in complex, multicultural environments with strong partnership across regions and country offices.

• Team Building & Talent Development: Proven ability to build, inspire, and develop high-performing international teams.

• External Presence & Communication: Comfort representing organizations in media, conferences, and high-level policy environments; strong communicator across audiences.

• Financial & Operational Acumen: Strong program financial management and portfolio oversight experience.

• Passion for Mission: Deep commitment to advancing equitable access to eye health and sustainable systems change.

 

Values & Competencies

At Orbis, our values and competencies are central to how we work and grow, both as individuals and as a global organization. These expectations apply to all employees and help ensure that we are aligned in our mission and impact.

 

Our Values in Action

We are guided by five values: Accountability, Commitment, Innovation, Integrity, and Equity. These values reflect how we engage with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. We expect everyone at Orbis to model these values in daily decisions and behaviors.

 

Our Competencies in Action

These describe the key skills and behaviors needed to succeed at Orbis. They are used in performance discussions and to support career development across roles.

 

Click here for a quick overview of our values and competencies.

 

Profile

• Advanced degree in medicine, public health, international development, or related field.

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global health or international development.

• Significant experience managing complex, multi-country programs in developing country contexts.

• Demonstrated success in MEL design and implementation.

• Experience engaging bilateral and multilateral donors and supporting multi-year grant development.

• Experience in policy and advocacy within global health or global development.

• Proven track record of external representation and thought leadership.

• Experience leading regional teams; lived and work experience in Orbis programming countries preferred.

• Ability to travel internationally (~30%).

 

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time position.

 

Reporting and Working Relationships

Reports to: CEO

Supervises: Global Programs Team, LAC Country/Program Directors

Works with: You will collaborate closely with the members of the Executive Leadership Team, Global Programs Team, Country Directors, Board of Directors, and liaise with Orbis employees around the world.

 

The Global Programs team partners with governments, institutions, and local organizations to strengthen eye care systems and deliver sustainable, locally led solutions. The CPO is responsible for strengthening connectivity between global functions and country implementation.

 

Orbis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

 

We encourage applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, particularly those underrepresented in the international nonprofit sector. Orbis is proud to foster an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully and thrive.

 

Role Location

Global

 

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 27 March 2026 (23:59 hrs, GMT +3). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

 

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

 

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

 

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by Orbis International to undertake this assignment.