Head of Programmes – LAURA AND PARTNERS CONSULTING LIMITED

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

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” to chipo@lauraandpartners.com on or before 18 June 2024. Only electronic applications will be accepted.