Senior Program Manager

Purpose:

To provide strategic and operational leadership for the Trust’s entire portfolio of programmes, translating the MET strategy into impactful, measurable, and sustainable community development initiatives. The Senior Programmes Manager is responsible for driving the Trust’s impact statement by leading the relationship with all implementing partners, embedding an outcome-based M&E culture, and ensuring the achievement of the Trust's social return on investment (SROI) objectives.

This role requires a high degree of autonomy and initiative, serving as the operational head of the Trust's programmatic work, enabling the CEO to focus on overall strategy, governance, and high-level stakeholder relations.

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Strategy Implementation & Impact

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual programme implementation plan, including key activities, measurable targets and budget allocations, aligned with MET strategic pillars and the principle of deepening impact.

• Ensure the active programme portfolio demonstrates a clear contribution to MET strategic pillars, including Education, Income Generation, Partnerships, Enterprise Development and Health/Wellbeing, with a focus on sustainable outcomes and deepening impact.

• Develop and manage a comprehensive annual operating plan for the programmes department, outlining key activities, targets, and budget allocations.

• Oversee the full programme lifecycle, including identification and assessment of implementing partners, programme implementation, monitoring, corrective action and formal project closure.

• Champion the Trust's strategic choice to "deepen" impact, ensuring that investments create holistic and integrated support for beneficiaries rather than fragmented development.

• Identify, co-create with implementing partners, and propose innovative, high-impact strategic projects that respond to socio-economic needs and the root causes of poverty and inequality.

Partner Management & Capacity Building

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for the Trust's portfolio of implementing partners nationwide, fostering relationships built on trust, support, and mutual accountability.

• Guide and support implementing partners in developing and refining their own Theory of Change (ToC) models to ensure their activities lead to clear, measurable outcomes and impact.

• Build the capacity of partners in outcomes-based measurement and SROI principles, moving them beyond reporting on outputs and activities.

• Conduct regular site visits to provide support, monitor progress, and ensure alignment with the Trust's mandate and values.

• Develop a robust framework for managing partner performance, providing constructive feedback and identifying areas for development.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Reporting

• Design, implement, and manage a sophisticated Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework for the Trust, with a core focus on SROI.

• Lead the data collection, analysis, and synthesis process to clearly demonstrate the social impact and value created by the Trust’s investments.

• Prepare high-quality, insightful, and data-driven programme reports for the CEO and the Board of Trustees, focusing on outcomes achieved against strategic goals.

• Present programme performance, challenges, and strategic recommendations at Board meetings and other key stakeholder forums with confidence and clarity.

• Document case studies and success stories that illustrate the holistic empowerment of beneficiaries.

Financial Stewardship & Programme Governance

• Manage the annual programmes budget, ensuring the prudent and effective allocation of funds across the partner portfolio.

• Oversee grant administration, ensuring all funding agreements, payments, and reporting requirements are managed efficiently and in compliance with the Trust Deed.

• Conduct thorough due diligence on all potential partners to mitigate risk and ensure alignment with the Trust's status as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO).

• Ensure all programmatic activities adhere to sound governance principles and contribute to the Trust's status as a credible Broad-Based Ownership Scheme.

Education & Experience:

• A Degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required. Post-graduate qualifications in the above-mentioned fields is preferred.

• Formal certification in Project/Programme Management or Monitoring & Evaluation is advantageous.

• A minimum of 8-10 years of senior-level experience in the development, corporate social investment (CSI), or non-profit sector.

• Demonstrable track record of successfully managing a diverse portfolio of grant-funded programmes or social investments.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing outcomes-based Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems. Direct experience with SROI or a similar impact measurement methodology is essential.

• Extensive experience in stakeholder and partnership management, including capacity building and support for community-based organisations.

• Experience in managing multi-million Rand budgets and ensuring financial governance.

• Experience in preparing high-level reports for and presenting to a Board of Trustees or a similar governance body.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the bigger picture and translate high-level strategy into practical, on-the-ground action.

• Leadership & Autonomy: A self-starter with the ability to work independently, take ownership of the entire programmes function, and drive results with minimal supervision.

• Relationship Management: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyse both qualitative and quantitative data to assess impact, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

• Financial Acumen: Proficient in budget management and financial reporting within a non-profit context.

• Communication Excellence: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and present complex information clearly and persuasively.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: A creative thinker who can find innovative solutions to complex social challenges and support partners in doing the same