Senior Program Manager, Inclusive Investment

Senior Program Manager, Inclusive Investment Job Category: Programs
Requisition Number: SENIO004368
Apply now Posted : May 6, 2024 Full-Time Locations Showing 1 location
Remote South Africa
Johannesburg, SA, ZAF
Travel Required : Yes DescriptionEveryone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe's work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.
Job Summary The Senior Program Manager will oversee the delivery of the anticipated two year program with a goal to increase employment in the agriculture sector in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces in South Africa, in support of the Just Energy Transition. The anticipated program aims to demonstrate the potential of pre-commercial farmers in the fruit and nut sector in the provinces to create jobs once supported by the right combination of Technical Assistance (TA) and blended finance. The Senior Program Manager will oversee the quality execution of TA to high-potential pre-commercial farmers and specialist agri-lenders and be responsible for the management of a broad range of stakeholders, including FCDO, other donors, investors, agribusinesses, JETP partners and government representatives in South Africa.
This Senior Program Manager will be accountable for overall finance and operations management of the anticipated program activities. They will ensure efficient and effective implementation of Program components, compliance with all donor and local legal requirements as well as TechnoServe policies and regulations. The Senior Program Manager will work under the supervision of TechnoServe's Inclusive Investment Director.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities Program management
Ensure that program outcomes and deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with donor and TechnoServe requirements; actively anticipate and communicate roadblocks to core team and stakeholders (where appropriate).Provide strategic guidance, leadership, management, and general technical oversight of the program, with an unwavering commitment to delivering results.Closely track and manage program work plan and finances; ensure timely submission of donor progress and financial reports to TechnoServe and FCDO.Foster collaboration, learning, and adaptive management to inform decision-making and drive impact.Effectively manage consultants and subcontracted TA service providers and work alongside other TechnoServe staff for targeted pieces of work.Serve as primary liaison/contact for the program; foster collaboration and manage productive relationships with FCDO in South Africa, JET partners, investors and other key stakeholdersDrive shared vision and strategy among pre-commercial farmers, agri-lenders, JET partners and other key stakeholdersOversee the prioritisation of partnerships with pre-commercial farms, agri-lenders and other donors Management of technical assistance providers and projects
Retain oversight of the end-to-end process, including scoping of pre-commercial farmers in Limpopo, designing, proposing, obtaining approval for, tendering, and supervising a selection of TA providers and pool of expert consultants.Manage TA providers to ensure efficient and effective delivery, in line with planned objectives and budgets. This includes responsibility to kickstart new projects, introduce innovations and/or troubleshoot existing initiatives; ad-hoc and planned steering committee meetings; performance feedback and check in meetings etc.Identify and facilitate connections with experts which can provide specialist technical advice and/or direct TA provision where needed. Leverage and call-on this pool to plug gaps identified.Review project spend and progress against KPIs and planned activities regularly (at least monthly) to ensure planned activities are on track; raise key risks, challenges or highlights with Inclusive Investment Director and other relevant stakeholders, as neededFacilitate monitoring and assessment of TA delivery, quality and impact pre-commercial farmer and agri-lender operations; advising on areas for improvement and identifying need/opportunity for new interventions. Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and influence of other stakeholders
Manage relationships with MEL providers and review progress on tracking KPIs and outcomes. Share MEL results with supervisor and FCDOProactively develop and share learnings with JET partners, potential donors and financiers, learning partners, TechnoServe's Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness Technical Assistance Facility (CASA TAF) team, and external stakeholders and participate in broader knowledge exchange sessionsLead thinking on delivering against Theory of ChangeBasic Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree plus 10 years of experience or a Masters degree or equivalent in business, international development, economics, agricultural economics, or relevant field with seven year's experience in a senior management role in commercial agriculture, agribusiness development, or management consultingExperience overseeing operational, financial and technical areas of complex Programs, including hiring, training and supervision of local personnel and partners, workplan and financial management including budgeting and procurementExperience influencing senior management of corporate, finance or development finance institutions to achieve resultsStrong commercial and private sector experience and / or overall business acumenProven Program management experience, including management of donor funded ProgramsAgriculture sector experience, including driving job creation initiatives.Experience designing and/or implementing climate adaptation and/or mitigation initiatives in the agriculture sector, ideally with some experience in influencing behaviour change related to climate smart agriculture practicesExcellent communication skills in written and spoken English, including report writing and presentations.Travel: This position will require up to 50% travel to the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, South Africa
Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge and experience of working alongside agri-lendersDemonstrated ability to work with government and donor organisationsExperience with climate change related issuesUnderstanding of the Just Energy TransitionExperience in South Africa or comparable country in the regionKnowledge, Skills and Abilities: Excellent interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated ability to influence others to adopt new approachesDemonstrated capacity to produce high quality reports and proposalsProactive and can work with limited directionResults oriented, with a proven track record of working to achieve project targetsProven ability to create buy-in and build consensus among colleagues and stakeholdersSkilled in using business software (Excel, PowerPoint etc.)Ability to pivot, make quick and sound decisions when there are risks or change in prioritiesHas a strong sense of ownership, accountability and can-do attitudeDemonstrated ability to manage executive teams and manage direct reports NOTE: This position is pending donor funding. We are open to remote applicants for this position (including candidates from South Africa). Applicants must have work authorization from the country from which they are applying; TechnoServe will not provide sponsorship. We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe'svision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.
With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer andaffirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.
We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.
If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources ****** or call +1 202 785 4515.
#LI-REMOTE Travel Required Yes . Up to 50% travel to the provinces of Mpumalanga & Limpopo, South Africa
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
#J-18808-Ljbffr