Head of Programmes

Job Description

Main Purpose of Job:

The Head of Programmes supports the corporate growth strategy by ensuring that the organisation delivers quality on all its consultancy and donor projects in a timely and effective manner. The role is responsible for managing and operationalizing new business development effort, as required by it’s operational functions, Board and donors.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Strategy formulation and planning;

Programmes Oversight and business development ;

Stakeholder management through identification of strategic partnerships/linkages on existing and new sustainable partnerships;

Governance compliance and risk management;

Resource management ;

Monitoring and Evaluation ;

Knowledge Management, Communication and Reporting; and

Team leadership, coaching and mentorship

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

Contribute to the development of the Corporate Strategy;

Lead the development of strategic plans and budgets for all programmes;

Provide strategic programmes guidance to the executive team, contributing to overall business growth and profitability/surplus;

Provide leadership to the team in achieving the overall program strategy;

Review and ensure alignment of program priorities, strategies and plans with the broader organisation’s strategy and plan; and

Develop and manage the Programme team activity and work plan to ensure that it attains its objectives as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible

Programmes Oversight and Business Development

Lead the implementation of all projects and programs;

Identify and prioritize business development opportunities in consultation with Chief Executive Officer;

Create and update the business model canvas in consultation with the Strategic Management Team;

Collaborate with the Business Development teams in responding to potential program funding opportunities and;

Lead the development of programme ideas into grant proposals and;

Lead and coordinate the proposal development process for new business

Stakeholder Management

Manage donor/private client’s relationships for new projects in collaboration with the Team Lead for the Project

Support the Programme Managers in strengthening the organization’s relationship with strategic networks and alliances;

Represent the organization and participate in networking meetings, events and forums all levels; and

Represent the organization different programme-related knowledge sharing and learning forums and events, document and share feedback with the team

Monitoring and Evaluation

Closely monitor program works to ensure alignment and contribution to the organization strategy through systemic documentation of quantitative and qualitative achievements; and

Ensure programmatic issues, challenges and recommendations are communicated to the CEO and other relevant partners in a timely and accurate manner

Governance Risk and Compliance

Ensure program operations and activities adhere to legal guidelines and internal policies in collaboration with the Grants, Contracts and Compliance team; and

Ensure compliance of approved Programme and Project plans

Resource Management

Monitor and provide guidance on programme spending and variance reports; and

Manage the expenditure and disbursement of resources allocated to the programme team.

Knowledge management, Communication and Reporting

Ensure quality and timely submission of quarterly and annual or required Programme and Project Performance Reports as per desired standards and guidelines;

Support information and communication assets gathering (stories, photographs, etc.) from the earliest stages of interventions;

Regularly create content for outward facing communication efforts;

Ensure that M&E data is used to for learning and decision-making ;

Ensure relevant takeaways and lessons are well documented and shared with the team for continuity; and

Ensure that regular reporting is complete and on-time (quarterly and annual reports, as well as annual review contributions).

Team Leadership and Coaching

Support HR to recruit qualified staff for the various projects;

Lead program staff training initiatives and manage induction and provides induction, coaching, mentoring and advice to the team to ensure they understand and carry out their responsibilities effectively;

Lead and manage program team to achieve its mandated targets in accordance with annual operational plans; and

Identify internal professional capacity-building requirements related to corporate sustainability and agree on a plan with the HR Manager

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

Considerable competence at senior management level is required to understand and apply advanced policies, practices, procedures, concepts, and principles.

General Education:

Full Grade Twelve (12) Certificate

Professional/Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree in business management, social sciences, or similar qualification.

Professional and valid membership to relevant professional body

Relevant Job Experience:

At least 8 years’ management experience at senior level in project/programmes management three of which must be in SME development and working with international organisations and donors; within NGO, donor funded project, government, government agency) or private sector development or economic development consultancy working directly with private sector partners;

Experience of interacting with private sector partners at a senior operations/board level; and

Experience of managing a large budget (budgeting, forecasting, procurement, contract management, reporting).

Skills :

Team building;

Conflict management;

Interpersonal skills;

Decision making skills;

Conceptual skills; and

Highest standards of integrity.

Strategic leadership and management skills;

Organisation and coordination skills

Administrative skills

Influencing/persuasion/judgement

Performance management and development;

Developing, motivation and coaching

Mentoring and counseling and

Strategy formulation and execution

Knowledge and understanding of the Zambian SME development sector;

Programming and M&E skills

Sound business and commercial acumen

Budget formulation, execution and monitoring skills;

Risk management skills encompassing the governance, risk and compliance landscape

Data analysis and interpretation skills;

Project management skills;

Change management skills and;

Knowledge of the full MS Office suite

Method of Application

Applications must be addressed to;

The Managing Partner/CEO Laura & Partners Consulting Limited CV 16 D.G Wallace Road,

COMESA Exhibition Village, Show grounds, Lusaka

Applications must be emailed with the subject “Head of Programmes” . Only electronic applications will be accepted.