Programme Manager

The incumbent will oversee the development and delivery of early learning, open education, teaching & learning resources, and student success initiatives, among others. The SPL also provides subject matter expertise as the overall post-secondary education and training lead.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and support the Programme Innovation and Delivery team to drive mission-aligned programme delivery, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture that values innovation, inclusion, and accountability.
• Contribute to organisational strategy and decision-making as a member of the Mission Leadership Team.
• Provide oversight and guidance to project teams, consultants, and implementing partners, ensuring delivery excellence and alignment with our values and goals.

Programme Innovation and Delivery

• Develop and operationalise a comprehensive programme strategy that aligns with our mission, strategic goals, and emerging opportunities in the education ecosystem.
• Strengthen systems and processes for effective programme design, delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Promote open learning principles, technology and data-informed approaches to enhance access and success.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships and networks to expand our influence and the scalability of its initiatives across South Africa and the continent.
• Support fundraising by contributing to proposal development, pitch decks, and donor engagement processes.

Subject Matter Expertise and Thought Leadership

• Provide sectoral expertise in post-secondary education and training (PSET), including policy and advocacy, to guide programme content and strategy.
• Serve as a thought leader and spokesperson for the organisation in external engagements including conferences, working groups, research forums, and media relations.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with educational institutions, funders, researchers, and policy stakeholders to drive impact and systemic change.

Programme and Project Management

• Oversee the full project lifecycle of our education initiatives (grant funded and commissioned projects), from project design and planning to implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning.
• Ensure compliance with funder expectations, contractual obligations, and internal quality standards.
• Manage project budgets, track expenditures, and ensure timely and accurate financial and narrative reporting.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL)

• Lead the development and implementation of robust MERL frameworks to track and assess programme effectiveness, learning outcomes, and impact.
• Guide the design and commissioning of evaluations, research studies, and reflective learning processes.
• Use evidence to inform programme improvement, learning loops, and organisational decision-making.
• Foster knowledge exchange internally and externally by synthesising and sharing lessons learned.

Policy Engagement and Advocacy

• Lead our engagement with education policy-makers, regulatory bodies, and education sector coalitions to shape inclusive and equitable education policy.
• Develop policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy materials that promote open learning, student success, and systemic transformation.
• Monitor the policy landscape to identify opportunities and risks for our work and contribute to relevant national and regional dialogues.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and Qualifications

• Masters degree in Education, Development, Public Policy, or a related field (a PhD will be advantageous).

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in education programme design and delivery, preferably within the post-secondary education and training sector.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership or management role with demonstrated success in leading teams, managing multi-stakeholder projects, and overseeing complex programme portfolios.
• Proven experience working with public institutions, donor agencies, NGOs, and/or multilateral organisations.
• Experience engaging in or influencing education policy, curriculum reform, and system-level change.

Technical Competencies

• Deep understanding of African/South African education systems, including issues of access, equity, and quality.
• Skilled in applying open learning, technology, and data-informed approaches to education programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to design and apply research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MERL) frameworks to drive continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience in fundraising, proposal development, partnership building and managing donor relations.

Leadership and Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture while managing the detail of implementation.
• Inclusive, collaborative leadership style with a strong commitment to team empowerment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and writing.
• High level of integrity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
• Applicants must have the right to live and work in South Africa.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: R900 000,00 - R1 300 000,00 per year

Work Location: In person