ABOUT THE PROGRAMME:

The DG Murray Trust (DGMT) is launching a new place-based project (learn more here) with a strategic focus in KwaZulu-Natal, specifically in the Valley of 1000 Hills and surrounding communities.

DGMT is a public innovator with a mission to ensure all South Africans can realise their potential. Our place-based strategy is one of the approaches we have taken to realise our mission. It involves working in a specific community, in this case, the Valley of 1000 Hills in KZN, over a long-term period, coordinating and concentrating best practice initiatives that address the needs of a life at every developmental stage, starting in the womb through to employment and beyond. Our strategy in this programme is to take a people-centred, holistic approach to community development through education as a non-negotiable agent and accelerator for improved levels of peace and happiness within individuals and their communities.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:

The Programme Manager plays a pivotal role in the implementation of our place-based strategy. The Programme Manager oversees the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives aimed at achieving positive outcomes for children, youth and families within the targeted communities.

• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and refine the strategic vision and goals for the Initiative. Align programme objectives with the organization's mission and values.

• Partnership Management: Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with local organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and community stakeholders to leverage resources and expertise in support of programme goals.

• Grant Management: Source implementing partners and service providers, conduct due diligence, prepare grant funding proposals, negotiate and contract with partners, and oversee implementation.

• Budget Management: Develop and manage programme budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to maximize impact and sustainability. Monitor expenditures and financial performance.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track programme outcomes and impact. Utilise data-driven insights to assess programme effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions.

• Advocacy and Public Relations: Serve as a spokesperson for the place-based initiative, advocating for policy changes and systemic reforms to address barriers and inequalities affecting individuals' development outcomes. Represent the organization in public and community forums and engagements.

• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare regular reports, presentations, and other communications to stakeholders, including donors, board members, and community stakeholders, to update them on programme progress, achievements, and challenges.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as education, social work, public administration, or community development.

We are seeking a dynamic Programme Manager who is committed to community development. The ideal candidate will have a track record of:

• Working in community development, including insights into what has previously worked and what hasn’t.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in programme management, preferably in a community-based or educational setting.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing complex projects or initiatives, particularly those focused on child and youth development.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and motivate teams and stakeholders towards shared goals.
• Experience with data analysis, monitoring and evaluation methodologies, and using data to drive decision-making and improve programme outcomes.
• Familiarity with child development theories, education systems, and social services, with a commitment to creating meaningful impact.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset in navigating complex challenges and changing environments.
• Competence in making accurate and insightful assessments of community needs, projects, and programmes.
• Discovering and assessing existing and new NGOs as service providers in fulfilling a programme’s mandate.
• Project management, including the development of comprehensive project plans, managing resources, and timelines efficiently.
• Deployment of grant funding and related management processes.
• Managing people, including hiring, performance managing team members and NGOs to ensure outcomes and planned impacts are realised.

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and motivate teams and stakeholders towards shared goals.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset in navigating complex challenges and changing environments.
• An affinity with the project area is an advantage. Fluency in isiZulu to effectively engage with community members is essential.
• Proven ability to build and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and funders.