The Senior Program Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the project team and ensuring smooth end-to-end project deliverables, including project planning, stakeholder management, data management, resource allocation, and monitor progress to enhance educational outcomes for children with disabilities and ensure timely donor reporting and sufficient documentation of project activities.
Key responsibilities
1. Manage day-to-day high-frequency tasks which may usually be process-oriented
2. Manage weekly tasks/milestones that may require a bit of cognitive load
3. Manage the task which to be accomplished once a month
4. Manage the task that needs attention once per quarter that may require creativity, cognition etc.
1) Program Management and Leadership
- Proactively have a 360 degree view of all aspects of the program, including- human resource, finances, project activities, strategic communication, partnerships, policy advocacy and educational technology
- Provide strategic direction and leadership to the program and project teams.
- Ensure alignment with the program projects goals and objectives for enhancing education for children with disabilities.
- Manage project resources, including budget, personnel, and materials.
- Ensure efficient and effective implementation of project activities.
- Direct activity management team efforts to provide day-to-day support to field teams
- Provide strategic direction to project start-up and close-out activities including the development, and refinement of project management tools, resources, and processes
- Oversee the development and implementation of annual work plans, ensuring timely and high-quality reviews and submissions
2) Reporting and Communication
- Facilitate clear communication within the project teams (may be cross-functional)
- Maintain communication with external stakeholders, sharing updates, achievements, and challenges.
- Ensure timely reporting both within and outside the organisation.
3) Program Implementation and Stakeholder Engagement
Oversee the planning and execution of project activities.
Ensure activities are carried out according to the project plan and timeline.
Foster collaboration and coordination among different stakeholders.
4) Facilitating Operations:
- Regular liaison and communication with state/program and central teams concerning the emerging needs and demands at any point in time and facilitating processes.
- Internal coordination, communication, documentation and planning
- Collaborate with relevant teams across the organization (Pedagogy, M&E, finance etc.) as required to ensure smooth operations and timely implementation.
- Provide oversight on all aspects of financial management of assigned projects including the development, tracking, and updating of budgets; monitoring monthly projections and actuals
Skill and Knowledge
- Ability to develop and align strategies with the projects goals and objectives
- Expertise in understanding the education sector. Knowledge of an inclusive education landscape is preferable.
- Familiarity with relevant education policies and regulations, and the ability to guide policy development and implementation.
- Expertise in project planning and execution
- Familiarity with project management software
- Ability to lead and think strategically
- Knowledge to think and lead strategically, informed decision-making, and strong leadership.
- Strong written and verbal communication and ability for editorial reviews
- Knowledge of writing styles, relevant style guides, and an understanding of language and grammar.
- The ability to collect and analyse data to deliver meaningful results
- Research methods and data collection techniques
- Team building and conflict resolution
- Understanding of team development, team dynamics, mediation and negotiation.
Required Qualifications :
- Bachelors Degree in a relevant field (Education, Management, Social Work, Social Sciences, etc). Master`s degree is preferred.
- 5-7 years of program management or related experience.
- Willingness to promote innovation and adapt to change.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently, with a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
- Willingness to travel.
