IES Provincial Manager

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department Program Operations (PrOps) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Operations teams contribute to realizing this by: ensuring effective project management through supporting project startups, implementation, reporting and financial management as well as closeouts; portfolio coordination: providing a coordinating role across departments in DC that support country offices and programs; working with country teams to develop, refine and pursue their strategies by leveraging technical knowledge (our own and others) and supporting business development as needed; knowledge sharing and learning: enhancing communication between country offices and DC-based teams to ensure better understanding of the diverse operating environments and program approaches.

Position Overview

The DREAMS IES Provincial Manager provides overall leadership and management of the project at the provincial level and ensures high-quality technical programming and alignment to DREAMS targets. Specifically, s/he will be responsible for supporting the DREAMS IES implementing. partners and ACHIEVE provincial staff with programmatic/technical guidance, training, and mentoring. S/he will provide implementing partners with expert guidance on appropriate technical and programmatic approaches and strategies to prepare young women to succeed in the workforce/wage employment or self-employment/entrepreneurship. S/he will develop and disseminate SOPs, guidelines, tools and job aids to facilitate effective implementation at district and sub-district levels. S/he will be responsible to establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders such as local municipalities, businesses, local government, CSOs and local communities.

Where it is required due to level of effort by district, s/he will oversee more than one province. S/he will be based in the assigned province and travel extensively within the province/s in order to fulfil the project goals. The Provincial Manager will report to the ACHIEVE IES Program Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight to IES implementing partners to ensure appropriate implementation of all IES components.
• Assist implementing partners to develop and update project work plans and budgets in close collaboration with the ACHIEVE team.
• Create linkages to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for YW by cultivating private sector partnerships
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to the DREAMS Ambassadors, trainers and mentors, clarifying roles and responsibilities.
• Assist implementing partners to develop and implement strategies and approaches for targeting and enrolling eligible participants for IES services. Develop strong relationships with NACOSA, the partner responsible for referring eligible participants.
• Provide regular training to partners to ensure that implementation approach is in line with USAID guidelines.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to implementing partners and staff to improve implementation and reporting.
• Capacitate and support implementing partners in developing and executing Quality Improvement Plans to augment performance on IES (or a specific component of IES) as required.
• Participate in compiling monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports, work plans, progress presentations, and present results when required in meetings such as, USAID Progress Review, HQ monthly meetings and other forums.
• Participate and represent ACHIEVE in stakeholders’ meetings as required.
• Facilitate the strengthening of bi-directional referral systems and linkages for those at risk where necessary.
• Lead the on-boarding of IES implementing partners and provincial ACHIEVE teams to ensure successful implementation.
• Provide implementing partners with expert direction on a coordinated, streamlined, and effective IES strategy to meet the IES targets.
• Identify and engage with key stakeholders in the province/s. This includes the private sector, agencies, government, and the development sector to create successful linkages and opportunities for young women in various pathways (wage employment and self-employment/entrepreneurship opportunities, wage internship, learnership, and vocational training) and share such opportunities with partners.
• Provide oversight, supervision, and support to the local provincial team. Manage staff performance in line with the prescribed Pact Performance Management System and values.
• Actively liaise with other PEPFAR DREAMS implementing partners, NGOs, other civil society partners, local municipalities, and communities to cultivate strategic relationships and alliances.
• Manage and oversee budget allocation for programme activities including ensuring that all funds provided are utilized in line with approved costs
• Work closely with the Grants Manager to ensure that IPs utilize funds appropriately.
• Contribute to the submission of abstracts and research papers as applicable to IES.

  Partnership Management, Oversight, and Coordination

  • Acts as programme lead in the province to liaise and support implementing partner in the roll out of IES programme activities supporting the workplan.
  • Conduct routine site support visits as well as occasional spot checks on the IPs, Identify and link YW to emerging financial literacy skills training opportunities offered by banks, National Credit Regulator.
  • Build partnerships with the Department of Small Business Development to link AGYW with available start-up resources.
  • Communicate IES technical changes and programmatic updates on a regular basis and promote inter partner sharing meetings for lessons learnt and problem solving.
  • Regularly consult supervisor on matters of concern and elements of risk regarding DREAMS IES implementation and target achievement.
  • Collaborate with IES Data Analyst on performance results analysis, visualization, and reporting.
  • Work closely with the provincial teams and partners to encourage and promote alliance building with provincial stakeholders.

    Target tracking, progress review, and reporting

    • Provide support to implementing partners to meet their IES targets through weekly tracking and performance analysis.
    • Participate in quality assurance activities, data validation, program review and performance monitoring of MER indicators.
    • Report on progress, issues, challenges, and local risk management.
    • Oversee the local market assessment.
    • Compile routine and ad hoc reports for project leadership and USAID.
    • Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc narrative progress reports.
    • Track, analyze and manage periodic target achievement across all implementing districts in the province.
    • Ensure that implementing partners coordinate, develop, and maintain high quality program documents, e.g., trackers, work plans, agendas, minutes of meetings, training reports, etc.
    • Have a sound view of partner performance, from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective, at all times.
    • Work with the MERL unit to track program implementation and routinely review, evaluate, and strengthen program implementation.

      Basic Requirements

      • Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 4 years of management experience

        Preferred Qualifications

        • Degree in Business Development and Management, Economics, or Social Sciences. A master’s degree is highly
        • At least ten (10) progressive years of experience as a technical lead working in Economic Strengthening, wealth creation or Workforce Development in South Africa
        • Excellent understanding of the economic & labour Market landscape in South Africa
        • Demonstrated experience linking youth especially young women to employment or entrepreneurship activities or developing micro enterprise entities,
        • Demonstrated knowledge of the potential private sector support landscape for young women in South Africa.
        • At least five (5) years demonstrated PEPFAR experience in managing and supervising a team preferred.
        • Strong familiarity with PEPFAR and USAID policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and reporting requirements for INGO-led projects.
        • Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
        • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
        • Valid South African driver’s license.
        • Eligibility to work in South Africa.