Senior Program Manager

Description

• TechnoServe, Inc., is a non-profit, Non-Governmental Organization that was incorporated in 1969 under the laws of the State of New York, USA. TechnoServe works with entrepreneurial people in the developing world to build competitive pharms, businesses and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops entrepreneurial solutions to poverty by connecting people, to information, capital and to markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity working men and women, even in the poorest places, can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With over five decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives. In Mozambique we have been operating since 1998, and we currently develop our activities in Cabo Delgado (Pemba), Nampula, Manica (Chimoio) provinces and in Maputo where our head office is located
• TechnoServe is implementing Oholo, a 2-year $4M project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), running through June 2027. Oholo’s mandate is to catalyze inclusive economic growth in northern Mozambique by strengthening the Business Development Services market system for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Through a carefully sequenced Market Systems Development approach, Oholo will scale up a formalized network of Business Development Service (BDS) providers, roll out nationally-aligned service standards, and unlock new finance and market linkages that directly benefit youth and women entrepreneurs
• Oholo has three complementary sub-objectives:
• (1) expand and professionalize RECAE, the regional BDS provider network, enabling it to generate sustainable revenue streams and deliver high-quality, fee-based services
• (2) partner with Government of Mozambique agencies to develop and implement accreditation and quality standards under the new MSME law; and
• (3) drive access to tailored financial products and market opportunities by convening financial institutions, Business Development Services Providers and MSMEs
• Success will be measured by the number of BDS providers accredited, with enhanced operational and financial sustainability, and measurable income and job gains among supported youth and women-led MSMEs
• As Oholo’s senior leader, the Senior Program Manager will provide strategic oversight of a multidisciplinary team—ensuring seamless coordination between Oholo’s field operations, local implementing partners, and donor counterparts. This role will shape annual work plans, oversee a US$1.8 million local partner grant fund, and represent Oholo at high-level policy and private-sector forums. The ideal candidate combines a proven capacity to engage private sector and government partners, t track record of successfully managing teams and budgets to drive innovative solutions for program delivery. Ideally the candidate has experience in the market-systems development approach, or solid experience engaging the private and public sectors for impactful, market driven solutions that benefit low income populations. He/She will be responsible for the overall project management leadership, ensuring the project team implements project activities within approved plans, budget, donor and TechnoServe requirements and quality standards. He/she will be the primary point of contact with the donor, ensuring that the program meets established objectives and targets
• The Senior Program Manager, ensures accurate work planning, management and reporting of activities, budgets, monitoring, external services and any other key areas required to deliver a successful project. He/She will oversee financial control and proactively review, make recommendations, report on programmatic activities, and support the delivery of TechnoServe’s strategic plan for the Oholo program. Key responsibilities include:

Duties

Program Management and Implementation

• Serve as primary liaison to Donor, local and national governmental authorities, local NGOs, community organizations, and other donor organizations
• Lead design and implementation of all program components and activities, ensuring technical capacity of the team and full delivery of donor indicators
• Oversee budget management and provide overall financial oversight to ensure strict accountability
• Ensure the highest quality of program implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and communications
• Ensure compliance with Donor rules and regulations, particularly with respect to financial and grant management
• Adaptive management of the project activities, partnerships and implementation modalities according to changing dynamics
• Provide technical guidance, advice and assistance in facilitating planning and implementation of strategies and interventions with partners; quality monitoring of partner interventions
• Responsible for the timely submission of high-quality reports, success stories and other essential documents to update management on program progress achieved, program plans, changes in direction and challenges encountered

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Establish and manage working relations with diverse stakeholders – senior-level executives from private sector actors, government departments businesses and non-profit partners to collaborate with Oholo to provide solutions to meet the needs of women and men entrepreneurs
• Support the development of commercially driven interventions with the private sector that meet the needs of entrepreneurs, led by the team
• Support the team in conceptualizing and organizing workshops / convenings /conferences or state / district level consultations / as required in the project

People Management

• Line manages several direct reports, including supporting work plan development and performance management
• Leading, recruiting, managing and motivating the team, creating an environment that enables staff to maximize their potential and facilitates high performing teams (i.e. mentoring, professional development support)
• Supporting the uptake and ensuring staff accountability on the TechnoServe code of conduct

Requisites

• Bachelor’s and/or Masters’ degree in management, economics, statistics, agribusiness, business administration, agricultural economics, international development or relevant field
• At least 10 years’ experience (if have Bachelor’s Degree) or 7 years’ experience (if have Master’s Degree) in one or more of TechnoServe focus areas such as business management, entrepreneurship, value chain development, agribusiness, business strategy, industry analysis, or financial management
• Track record of building and managing strong client and stakeholder relationships and experience working in a public/private partnership environment
• Experience working in the private sector is desirable
• Proven experience in managing, motivating and developing teams; and managing projects on time and within budget using project management processes and tools
• Proven ability to develop strategies and conduct analysis on commercial questions
• Experience in elaborating concise and well-written reports, analyses and presentations
• Knowledge and/or experience in Market Systems Development programs is an advantage
• Experience working on donor funded projects is preferred
• Fluent user of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Verbal and written fluency in English and Portuguese
• Professional competences:
• Strategic and analytical thinking skills
• Exceptional interpersonal, diplomatic and cross-cultural skills with a wide range of actors, from donors and partners to junior and senior team members from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing gender equality
• Innovative and creative ways of thinking and working
• Attention to detail and critical analytical sense
• Discipline in the fulfillment of deadlines

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Indicate the source of this job post: emprego.co.mz
• TechnoServe believes that achieving prosperity requires the full and free participation of women and youth. Our Gender Policy and commitment to programmatic excellence requires that we engage, empower and benefit both women and men, whether at the level of our beneficiaries or our staff
• Oholo's Commitment to Gender Equality
• By joining our team, you will benefit from a working environment that respects women and men and believes in the professional development of each one