SUMMARY:
-
POSITION INFO:
Role Purpose
The Programme Manager plays a central role in delivering the mission of the Fellowship. This role requires operational excellence, strategic insight, and a strong commitment to transformation in higher education.
The Programme Manager will:
- Lead and support Fellows’ journeys, ensuring meaningful engagement, mentorship, and development.
- Manage effective delivery of the programme across all focus areas.
- Contribute to the programmes’ strategic agenda by supporting institutional expansion, strengthening partnerships, and shaping research and reporting outputs.
- Align programme delivery with the values of transformation, inclusivity, excellence, and global engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Programme Design – Fellowship Development & Institutional Expansion (10%)
- Support the development of institutional onboarding frameworks for universities joining the programme.
- Assist the CEO in replicating and scaling the Fellowship to additional South African universities.
- Contribute to the design and roll-out of developmental programmes aligned with the mission and host institutions.
- Programme Management – Fellowship Implementation, Coordination & Support (25%)
- Serve as the primary point of contact for Fellows, providing responsive and solution-oriented support.
- Lead onboarding, orientation, and ongoing Fellow engagement.
- Track Fellows’ progress toward leadership and professorship pathways, maintaining updated records of milestones and support needs.
- Collaborate with the Alumnae Association and institutional partners to nurture Fellows’ aspirations.
- Coordinate workshops, seminars, and events, supporting Fellow- and alumni-led initiatives.
- Research & Impact Evaluation – Strategic Reporting (20%)
- Conduct programme reviews using feminist, decolonial, and intersectional frameworks.
- Implement the longitudinal study in collaboration with researchers.
- Lead data collection, interviews, and analysis for monitoring and learning.
- Produce high-quality reports, academic publications, and presentations to showcase outcomes.
- Support research chairs in areas such as Gender-Based Violence, entrepreneurship, and gender equity.
- Funding Support – Programme Funding & Risk Management (10%)
- Assist the CEO in securing, managing, and reporting on funding.
- Liaise with finance teams and research offices to ensure compliance and accountability.
- Engage with Fellows on grant allocations and escalate risks as required.
- Relationship Management – Internationalisation & Global Partnerships (15%)
- Support the management of partnerships with international institutions.
- Facilitate Fellow participation in mobility programmes, joint initiatives, and collaborative research.
- Track and report on international engagement and outcomes.
- Use data insights to strengthen global partnerships and programme expansion.
- Data Management & Administration (15%)
- Maintain secure and accurate records of Fellow progress and programme documentation.
- Lead the fellowship application process with transparency and fairness.
- Manage scheduling, correspondence, and submissions to the Board throughout the Fellowship lifecycle.
- Social Media & Communications (5%)
- Oversee the implementation of the social media and digital strategy, supervising the Social Media Officer.
- Review and approve campaigns to ensure alignment with the programmes vision and brand.
- Work with partners to ensure the website remains current, engaging, and impactful.
Qualifications & Experience
- Master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5–7 years’ experience in programme management within higher education, development, or philanthropy.
- Strong grounding in feminist and intersectional frameworks, with a demonstrated commitment to transformation.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and impact reporting.
- Proven ability to manage programme data systems and international partnerships.
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic thinker with strong project and operational management capabilities.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong writing and presentation abilities for diverse audiences.
- Ability to thrive in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Passion for inclusive leadership, academic transformation, and social justice.
Desirable Attributes
- Experience working across multiple universities or academic institutions.
- Exposure to international academic mobility or partnerships.
- Demonstrated involvement in programmes or research advancing gender equity.
- Familiarity with donor relations and philanthropy.
