Programmes Manager Marie Stopes Zambia

Marie Stopes Zambia (MSZ) is a marketing-focused, results-oriented social enterprise, which uses modern management and marketing techniques to provide family planning and reproductive healthcare. MSZ is part of the global network that is MSI Reproductive Choices (MSI). MSZ subscribes to the MSI goal and mission, which is to prevent unwanted births and to ensure the individual’s right to Children by Choice not Chance.

Purpose: Marie Stopes Zambia (MSZ) seeks a Programmes Manager to help secure new donor funding, to monitor progress of existing grants and ensure ultimate success of all donor funded projects. The post offers the opportunity to develop in- country and international fund raising strategies, design and manage new programmes, develop first class proposals and budgets, and build organizational capacity to deliver results.

MSZ seeks a talented individual with proven skills and experience in proposal writing, securing new funding, managing complex budgets and projects with excellent attention to detail. This position is ideal for someone with prior experience in an international non-profit organization and/or donor relations.

Reporting to: The Programmes Director

Probation: 3 months

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development

• Strategic Funding Exploration: Proactively research, analyze, and identify funding opportunities aligning with MSZ’s mission, from local and international sexual and reproductive health funders. Thoroughly dissect calls for applications, tenders, expressions of interest, and requests for proposals
• Proposal Development: Initiate and lead the creation of compelling, high-quality funding proposals and budgets within a consultative context, seeking necessary approvals from Directors and other leadership.

Donor Compliance & Project Cycle Management

• Project Design Support: Contribute to project design by actively seeking funding opportunities and crafting compelling proposals alongside relevant teams
• Start-up Leadership: Ensure seamless project launches through the development of comprehensive work plans and budgets
• Performance Monitoring: Oversee project performance in relation to KPIs, deliverables, budgets, burn rates, and accurate accounting measures (i.e., coding and cost recovery). Proactively identify and escalate potential areas of concern to Directors
• Compliance Champion: Possess extensive knowledge of donor regulations, MSZ policies, and procedures, ensuring strict adherence throughout project implementation.

Management Support Functions

• Collaborative Implementation: Partner with internal MSZ departments and MSI HQ to execute, implement, and refine new projects. Clearly communicate implementation challenges and suggest proactive solutions to address potential deviations.
  • Accountability Driver: Facilitate strong performance management of donor-funded projects, verifying alignment with MSZ’s broader objectives and strategic measures. Coach and support project leads and their line managers in achieving project success.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation Liaison: Closely collaborate with M&E teams, project leads, and Channel Leads to guide effective project execution and measurement.
  • Timeline & Budget Adherence: Oversee the on-time and on-budget execution of projects. Coordinate comprehensive stakeholder communication for events like project launches, quality assessments, demand creation activities, donor meetings, and more, exceeding both donor and MSI expectations.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in public health, international development, project management, or a related field. A Master’s degree would be advantageous
• At least 5+ years of relevant experience in managing complex, donor-funded projects within the sexual and reproductive health sector. A track record in securing funding from major international donors is highly desirable
• Project management certifications (such as PMP or PRINCE2) or training in grant writing and donor compliance are significant assets.

Essential Skills:

• Grant Writing and Proposal Development: A proven track record of crafting persuasive, compliant, and donor-focused funding proposals. Strong command of written and verbal English
• Project Management: Adept at developing and monitoring detailed work plans, budgets, and timelines. Expertise in project cycle management from inception to close-out
• Donor Compliance: In-depth understanding of donor regulations (e.g., USAID, DFID, international foundations), policies, and reporting requirements
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate MSZ’s goals into feasible project activities that resonate with funders, while proactively identifying new opportunities
• Relationship Management: Excellent interpersonal skills for building strong partnerships with donors, internal teams, and MSI London stakeholders
• Problem-Solving: Resourceful and solution-oriented mindset, able to tackle implementation challenges and propose effective corrective actions

Desired Skills:

• Data Analysis: Strong quantitative skills for interpreting performance metrics and data to inform decisions and measure project success
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Familiarity with M&E frameworks and tools for designing and tracking project milestones and indicators
• Negotiation and Influencing: Ability to advocate for MSZ’s programs with donors and secure favorable terms within project agreements
• Cross-cultural Communication: Sensitivity to working with diverse populations and collaborating in an international environment.

Attitude:

• Demonstrates MSZ team member behaviours.
• Self-motivated, demonstrable initiative and self-management
• Pro MSI philosophy of social enterprise and cost recovery
• Pro-choice

Note: MSZ is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting a culture of equality and diversity. MSZ will actively strive to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or beliefs.

MSI takes a zero tolerance approach to fraud and bribery, terrorism, money laundering, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or any safeguarding issues. Applicants will be subjected to a Police Clearance Check and Reference Checks.