HEAD OF PROGRAMMES & SERVICES

EQUAL-ARK SINGAPORE LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading non-profit organization, dedicated to enhancing community well-being through animal-assisted services, seeks a dynamic Head of Programmes & Services. You will drive strategic leadership, oversee programme management, and ensure impactful service outcomes while fostering partnerships and team development. Join us in making a meaningful difference in our community.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience; at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record in programme delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in grant management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the strategic planning and operational delivery of programmes.
• Manage a team, ensuring quality service and positive outcomes.
• Cultivate partnerships for enhanced outreach and sustainability.

Skills

Leadership

Programme Management

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Engagement

Data Analysis

Education

Degree in Social Work

Degree in Psychology

Degree in Counselling

Degree in Community Development

Degree in Education

Degree in Business Administration

Job description

ABOUT EQUAL

Founded in 2015, EQUAL (an IPC charity) strives to transform lives through Animal-Assisted Services. EQUAL partners with animals to provide experiential and educational programmes that help empower vulnerable persons such as children, youths, persons with special needs, families, and seniors by enhancing their social and emotional well-being and supporting social integration in a safe environment – building resilience and inclusive communities.

Animal-Assisted Learning (AAL) is an experiential programme facilitated by instructors partnering animals, where participants develop vita social-emotional and relationship skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Each year, we proudly serve hundreds of clients from various institutions, including schools, children’s homes, nursing homes, and other social service organisations.

ROLE SUMMARY

As the Head of Programmes & Services, you will lead the strategic direction, operational delivery, and continuous improvement of EQUAL’s Programmes and Services Division, ensuring meaningful, measurable outcomes for beneficiaries while upholding animal welfare and operational excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the strategic planning, development, and execution of EQUAL’s Programmes and Services Division in alignment with the organisation’s mission, values, and long-term goals.
• Conduct regular internal and external environmental scans, trend analyses, and needs assessments to identify emerging service gaps and sector opportunities.
• Stay abreast of relevant research, best practices, and innovations, particularly in human-animal interactions, trauma-informed care, and experiential learning frameworks.

Programme Development & Management

• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of all Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) programmes to ensure service quality, relevance, timely delivery, and positive beneficiary outcomes.
• Work closely with the Animal Welfare team to co-develop and evolve programmes that balance beneficiary needs with animal welfare considerations.
• Monitor programme performance, quality assurance, and beneficiary outcomes through robust data collection, analysis, reporting, and continuous feedback mechanisms.
• Maintain budget compliance and manage programme-related procurement, including preparing for Invitation to Quote in Gebiz portal for programme contracts.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship to a team of 10 (Programme Instructors, and Programme Executive), fostering a high-performance, values-driven, and collaborative team culture.
• Oversee manpower planning, recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management within the Division in partnership with the HR Department.
• Uphold and champion a strong Code of Conduct, safety protocols, and organisational values within programme operations.

Operational & Resource Management

• Prepare programme cost quotations, in consult with Partnership & Philanthropy Division (for certain programmes) and review service contracts.
• Ensure effective resource planning by coordinating scheduling, manpower allocation, and adherence to budgetary constraints and control processes, in order to support programme operations and meet client requirements."
• .Work with the Volunteer Management team to optimise volunteer resource allocation for programme support activities.

Partnerships, Grants & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with referral agencies, funders, schools, healthcare providers, and social service agencies to expand EQUAL’s outreach and impact.
• Lead discussions with partners and stakeholders to conceptualise, co-create, and adapt programmes that meet evolving client and sector needs.
• Support the identification, application, and management of relevant grants and funding opportunities to enhance programme sustainability and growth.
• Represent EQUAL in sector forums, workgroups, and inter-agency collaborations to strengthen the organisation’s presence and thought leadership.

Leadership Team Contribution & Organisational Development

• Serve as a core member of EQUAL’s Leadership Team, actively contributing to organisation-wide strategic planning, business continuity, risk management, and policy development.
• Support the CEO and Board of Directors and Committee members in strategic reviews, reporting, and special projects as assigned.
• Play a key role in fostering a positive, inclusive, and values-based workplace culture, championing staff engagement and well-being initiatives.

REPORTING TO

Chief Executive Officer

KEY REQUIREMENTS

We are seeking a dynamic, purpose-driven contributor with a passion for social impact, human-animal interactions, and community service delivery. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and operational leader with proven experience in programme management, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement within the social service, healthcare, education, or non-profit sectors.

Professional Experience

- Minimum 8–10 years of relevant work experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior management role overseeing programmes, services, or operations in the social service, healthcare, education, community development, or non-profit sectors.

- Proven track record in designing, delivering, and scaling social service programmes, preferably with exposure to experiential learning, therapeutic services, or human-animal interaction programmes.

- Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, including frontline staff, technical specialists, and programme executives.

- Demonstrated success in partnership development, stakeholder engagement and grant management.

Prior experience working in small to medium-sized organisations or start-up social enterprises will be an advantage.

Core Competencies

Programme Management & Development

- Strong analytical skills in needs assessment, programme evaluation, outcome measurement, impact reporting and research.

Strategic Planning & Organisational Alignment

- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute programme strategies aligned with organisational goals and community needs.

- Skilled in conducting environmental scans, needs assessments, and identifying service gaps to inform service innovation and future programme direction.

Budgeting, Financial Oversight & Resource Management

- Competent in programme budgeting, financial monitoring, procurement management, and preparation of cost quotations.

- Experienced in resource planning, scheduling, and optimising manpower allocation to support operational efficiency.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development

- Skilled in building and maintaining partnerships with funders, government agencies, community organisations, and service partners.

- Adept at facilitating co-creation discussions and service planning to develop customised programmes for diverse client groups.

Data Analysis, Programme Evaluation & Reporting

- Proficient in data collection, analysis, and reporting for programme performance monitoring, evaluation, and outcome measurement.

- Able to translate data insights into programme improvements, research initiatives, and funding proposals.

Core Competencies

Grant Writing, Fundraising & Resource Development

- Demonstrated experience in identifying grant opportunities, preparing funding proposals, and managing applications and reporting.

Team Leadership & People Management

- Experienced in leading multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative, positive, and high-performance culture.

- Strong capabilities in manpower planning, recruitment, training, performance management, and staff development.

Knowledge of Social Service Sector & Sector Trends

- Strong knowledge of social service frameworks, practices, and regulations in Singapore is preferred.

Personal Attributes

We’re seeking a leader whose personal qualities reflect EQUAL’s values and service ethos:

- Analytical & Innovative: Able to identify service gaps, analyse operational challenges, and develop creative, impactful solutions to enhance programme outcomes and organisational sustainability.

- Empathetic Leadership: Demonstrates strong, flexible interpersonal skills with the ability to connect meaningfully with team members, beneficiaries, and stakeholders, fostering an inclusive, supportive, and purpose-driven environment.

- Collaborative: Works effectively across teams, departments, and external partners to co-create, refine, and deliver integrated, beneficiary-centric programmes.

- Results-Oriented: Focused on achieving measurable outcomes, driving continuous improvement, and delivering high-quality, impactful services within resource and timeline constraints.

- Adaptable & Resilient: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, change, and evolving service demands within a dynamic operational and social service environment.

- Ethical & Professional: Upholds the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability in programme delivery, staff management, and stakeholder engagement.

- Detail-Oriented: Meticulous in planning, documentation, resource management, and service execution to ensure operational efficiency and service quality.

Qualifications

- Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Community Development, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.

- Additional certifications in programme management, or human-animal interaction/intervention will be advantageous.