Sr. Program Manager, East and Southern Africa

Chemonics International seeks a Sr. Program Manager for the East and Southern Africa (ESAF) Regional Business Unit. The final portfolio will be determined based on qualifications of the successful candidate and regional needs. In addition to housing the Education practice management team, the East and Southern Africa region’s current portfolio and forward market includes projects spanning a wide range of technical sectors, including water, sanitation, and hygiene, rule of law, natural resource management, democracy & governance, and agriculture & food security. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as we will interview and fill the position on a rolling basis.

 

Responsibilities:

The senior program manager is responsible for management, delegation, and execution of day-to-day project tasks, including staff management, as well as engagement in new business and technical practices. The role involves concurrently managing multiple projects of advanced complexity together with roles in new business. The senior program manager will collaborate with other Project Management Unit (PMU) and team members and support and monitor the completion of tasks related to aspects of project management, performance, and compliance. Ensures adherence with company policies, applicable law and regulations, and project requirements. The senior program manager brings increasing focus on proactive effort and supporting the director in mitigating risks and working toward a high level of technical, financial, and contractual performance of projects, and increasing attention to successful new business.

 

Project Management

• Manages day-to-day support to one or more project teams and client, including communicating and assisting with project-office requests and overseeing adherence to project requirements, government regulations, and Chemonics policies.
• Oversees financial aspects of the project’s contract or agreement by reviewing monthly invoices for accuracy and compliance. Responsible for tracking expenditures against budget and total obligated funds, coordinating development and monitoring of annual corporate budget, and regular forecasting of expenditures for Chemonics and client.
• Proactively identifies issues or potential risks, including project performance, financial, and legal, and develops plans and strategies to address those risks, communicating, when appropriate, with the director and/or senior vice president. Strategically assesses and consults with support units on corporate-office and project-office matters to help make informed decisions. Leads efforts in reviewing and determining causes of variances in expenditures against forecasts and budgets and ensuring client is informed as appropriate. Works with director to identify solutions for shortfalls and train other PMU staff to do the same.
• Takes initiative to identify business opportunities, efficiencies, and cost savings for the business unit (BU).
• Identifies opportunities for knowledge- and solution-sharing across company and takes initiative to build staff and company capacity.
• Oversees and leads negotiations with project subaward partners, identifies, and manages key subaward issues, budgets and invoicing, and reviews deliverables in coordination with project team to ensure they meet technical, contractual, and quality standards.
• Leads recruits of long- and short-term project personnel in accordance with Chemonics’ policy, and delegates or mentors’ others in project recruiting where possible and appropriate.
• Conducts periodic project office visits to monitor and support project operations and implementation, including conducting training, conducting, or responding to audits, providing input to work planning, conducting technical research, and performing other complex tasks.
• Reviews and provides comments on project technical work and project reports.
• May contribute dedicated time to other work streams and functions to achieve BU goals, including new business, operations, and technical practice contributions.

 

Technical

• Pro-actively engages in technical practice of relevance to areas of interest or focus, sharing information and best practices learned with the company. This includes a strategic view to connect the practice and project in support of enhanced project performance and technical leadership goals of the practice.
• Builds subject matter expertise and contributes to BU, tech