Friday, November 20, 2015

Program Manager

Job Title: Program Manager
Reporting Unit/Supervisor:  Country Manager
Location: Lusaka, with frequent travel within Zambia as required
Travel: International up to _0_%, Domestic up to _40_%
I. TechnoServe Background:
TechnoServe, Inc. is an international non-profit economic development organization founded in 1968.  Its mission is to help entrepreneurial men and women in poor rural areas of the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries that create income, opportunity and economic growth for their families, communities and countries.
II. Primary Purpose
To lead and manage TechnoServe Zambia’s Private Enterprise Programme Zambia (PEPZ) project, potentially taking on additional projects or related responsibilities (e.g., contribution of intellectual capital for follow-on work) if required. To do so, s/he will: develop and maintain stakeholder relationships, including the key relationship with the client/donor and implementation partners; lead project management activities; coordinate TechnoServe project activities with the TechnoServe Business Advisor and implementation partners; monitor performance through collection and analysis of metrics; manage project staff and budget; and lead preparation of Donor quarterly and final reports, case studies on lessons learned, and other similar materials.
III. Position Description
1. Project mobilization:
a. Continue development and maintenance of project work plan such that it is in-line with expectations of Donor and implementation partner
b. Oversee project-related procurement with TechnoServe finance and administrative staff
c. Create and support use of templates and tools for project staff, including implementation partners, as necessary
d. Identify staff training needs and oversee development of project training manuals as required
e. Contribute knowledge in private sector development, nutrition, retailing, business development services, and the rural/peri-urban markets to contribute to program design and successful execution of the program
f.  Leverage knowledge and networks in retail, food processing, wholesaling, and distribution in Zambia to effectively build partnerships and ensure proper project execution
g. If necessary, recruit staff, overseeing induction on TechnoServe and project systems
2. Relationship management:
a. Attend required in-person bi-weekly meetings with the Donor
b. Maintain good working relationship with Donors, partners, and key stakeholders
c. Effectively plan internal project meetings with implementation partner, e.g. Business Development Services (BDS) partners, private sector partner, wholesaler, distributor, and/or rural retailers
3. Project management:
a. Establish and maintain project management and implementation systems, revising as needed to ensure delivery against targets
b. Effectively liaise between TechnoServe, Donors and implementation partners to ensure smooth communications and coordinated activities
c. Produce consolidated financial and narrative reports for Donors, as required by Grant Agreements and TechnoServe internal reporting requirements
d. Timely production and sharing of project performance metrics, including quarterly Program Status Reports (PSRs) and Corporate Measurement data
e. Proactively identify successful strategies and tactics or bottlenecks for effective execution of project objectives
f.  Manage the activities and performance of project staff and consultants as assigned, ensuring high quality execution and delivery of project targets
g. Manage HR matters involving project staff, inclusive of coaching and counseling, regular management meetings and Performance Reviews as required
h. Oversee project administration via a Program Administrator
4. Budget management:
a. Develop and maintain a budget for the program, ensuring work plans are aligned with project budgets and that all reporting accurately reflects the budget
b. Monitor project expenditures and manage budget variances, realigning as required
c. Monitor project expenditures and manage budget with respect to currency changes between Zambian Kwacha, U.S. Dollars, and British Pounds
d. Budget for new tasks as required
e. Budget activities per the milestone delivery and invoicing structure of the Performance Grant Agreement
f.  Contribute to budgeting of new proposals, leading proposal teams, working independently, or collaborating with regional program development managers to develop proposal budgets
5. Donor Compliance
a. Ensure all payments/activities are in compliance with donor requests, restrictions and regulations as outlined in donor contracts / Rules and Regulations
b. Maintain all donor contracts per TechnoServe policies
c. Liaise with TechnoServe Zambia financial manager and TechnoServe West and Southern Africa financial team to ensure all required audits per Donor Performance Grant Agreements are conducted on time
6. Knowledge Management:
a. As necessary and as relevant to project closure and TechnoServe needs, ensure that internal toolkits, best practices information and resources are assembled and readily available to all staff.
b. Ensure that best practices from elsewhere are shared into the projects and that new lessons learned are shared with TechnoServe staff and, as necessary, with implementation partners.
c. Maintain effective project archiving systems as per TechnoServe needs and policies.
7. New Business Development:
a. Potentially lead design of new projects as required, particularly with regard to follow-on or related work, including technical design and preparation of proposals.
8. Other
a. Any other tasks as required by the organization and line manager from time to time within the scope of work.
IV. Required Skills and Experience
  • Preferred: Master’s degree in business, economics, agriculture, international development/affairs, or another relevant subject area
  • At least 5-7 years of work experience, demonstrating progressively senior advancement and some level of project management or execution
  • Demonstrated experience working on donor-funded programs that have a private sector development orientation
  • Demonstrated experience working in the private sector, preferably in a strategy consulting or business environment
  • Demonstrated experience in writing proposals to corporate, private, or publicly-funded donors
  • Preferred: Knowledge of rural and peri-urban retail structures, distribution/wholesale systems, and business development services
  • Knowledge of donor project implementation procedures and processes
  • Demonstrated experience managing and motivating teams
  • Excellent English skills, written and oral, required
  • Ability to develop well written, cohesive analyses and reports
  • Self-starter, results-oriented, and entrepreneurial with the ability to work with substantial autonomy and influence others with minimal supervisory authority
Position Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Reports To: Country Manager
TechnoServe offers a remuneration package competitive with private-sector salaries for similar positions.
To Apply:
Please submit your application (by email only) to zambia-recruiting@tns.org with the position title placed in the subject line. Please include (1) cover letter describing your interest, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) salary history, and (4) telephone contacts of three professional referees.  Please include all requirements in one document. Applications will be treated confidentially.
Deadline for applications is 12 June 2015.  
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