Responsible for providing overall strategic leadership and management to the program delivery including program planning, implementation, monitoring, learning, reporting as well as representation, coordination and collaboration among consortium partners and with key program stakeholders, S/he is also responsible for the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and the link person between the consortium and the Mastercard Foundation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Management

• Lead the strategic program planning, implementation, monitoring and learning with strict adherence to the program goal, outcomes, outputs, and timelines.
• Maintain comprehensive annual and quarterly work plans aligned with the program objectives.
• Manage human resource and assets of the program.
• Monitor and evaluate progress, identifying lessons and areas for improvement.
• Ensure effective engagement of the Program Steering Committee.

Consortium Coordination and collaboration

• Develop and implement program management guidelines, partnership guidelines, and governance guidelines.
• Develop annual terms of reference for technical advisors/experts to ensure achievement of program goal.
• Coordinate regular consortium reflection events to review progress, share knowledge and decision-making.
• Manage and resolve conflicts and challenges that may arise within the consortium and other stakeholders.

Budget and Financial Management

• Oversee the program budget and expenditures, ensuring effective financial management and compliance with the funding requirements.
• Work closely with the Fund Manager and Finance Manager to review financial reports and make budget adjustments as needed.
• Support the finance team during internal and external audits.

Documentation, Reporting and Learning

• Prepare regular progress reports, including narrative and financial reports for the Program Steering Committee and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of program activities, achievements versus targets, challenges and mitigation measures, lessons learned, and best practices.

Risk Management

• Identify potential risks to the successful implementation of the program and develop risk mitigation plan.
• Implement a robust monitoring, evaluation and learning framework to track program performance and address any deviations from the planned outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including private sector, TVETs, government ministries, departments and agencies and development partners.
• Represent the consortium at relevant meetings, events, and fora, advocating for the goals and objectives of the program.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A master’s degree in Economics, Development studies, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, MBA (Management), or Technical/ Vocational Education.
• Minimum of five (05) years of experience in consortia project management and familiarity with donor and governmental requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in managing programs focused on youth empowerment, market systems development, skills development.
• Sound knowledge of humanitarian – development – and peace nexus programming and mainstreaming of gender, inclusion, protection/safeguarding, environment, and accountability.
• Strong leadership, communication and negotiation skills and excellent interpersonal skills to effectively lead a diverse consortium of partners and engage with stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proven ability to develop and manage budgets, spending forecast, financial reporting, human resources, and donor compliance.
• Ability to work independently, ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment.

AFARD is seeking competent and qualified persons to fill the various positions shown below. Signed Application and a 2-pager motivation letter plus relevant academic & experience credentials, CV with names and daytime contacts of three referees, and your daytime phone contact numbers in 1-file PDF format should be addressed to “The Human Resources Office” and emailed to procurement@afard.net latest on May 23, 2025 at 5:00PM. In the subject area of your email, indicate the position you are applying for. Polite Notice. • Qualified females and refugees are highly encouraged to apply. • Only complete applications will be accepted and considered for review. • Only those who are ready to start immediately will be shortlisted. • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. • Successful applicants will be required to start immediately after appropriate screening checks including criminal records, child and sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment. By applying, job applicants consent to these screening checks.