Senior Program Manager

AMI is looking for a Senior Programme Manager to oversee the endtoend quality project delivery of a new partner programme launching in Ghana in late 2024 with a focus on reaching SMEs with capacity building programmes at significant scale. This is a chance for an outstanding entrepreneurial leader to be part of Africa s transformation and to help shape build and scale one of its most innovative social businesses.

The Senior Programme Manager will be part of the team implementing partnerbased programmes under the AMI Impact unit. You will be a key player in a dynamic global team focused obsessively on results. As this is our first Ghanafocused hire it is a senior role with strong opportunity for growth and to demonstrate your potential to lead within AMI.

At AMI we work hard innovate constantly and have fun in the process. This is a chance for someone with a passion for learning leadership and business growth to be part of Africa s transformation. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with past experience managing grantfunded programmes including reportwriting related work.

The Senior Programme Manager must be a driven organized detailoriented leader with great people and projectmanagement skills and ability to manage complex programmes. The ability to work independently and entrepreneurially with limited support on the ground from more senior staff (who are predominantly Kenyabased) will be critical.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Program Manager with a robust background in SME Business Development Services (BDS) or SME financing/ other SME support in Ghana. An understanding of the agriculture sector is beneficial. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of the MSME landscape including NGOs capacity building marketing stakeholders and investors. Furthermore the candidate should have a solid track record in project management and entrepreneurship support with specific experience in complex programme plan development and implementation stakeholder engagement monitoring and evaluation and capacity building initiatives.

Please note the contract signature is dependent on an imminent contract signature between AMI and the dunder of the relevant Ghana project.

The Senior Programme Manager will be responsible for:

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the comprehensive lifecycle of AMI partner projects from initiation to completion.
  

• Hire and oversee any additional local hires to deliver on the programme in close collaboration with head office.
  

• Manage logistical team elements e.g. securing a workspace as needed based on final team size.
  

• Develop and execute detailed project plans setting clear milestones and deliverables while adhering to strict timelines.
  

• Monitor project scope manage risks and manage project budget ensure highquality outcomes using AMI s ERP system.
  

• Build and maintain robust relationships with external stakeholders including financial institutions government agencies NGOs and other partners.
  

• Engage and coordinate with senior internal stakeholders ensuring clear communication and alignment on project goals.
  

• Negotiate and secure necessary resources and support for successful project implementation.
  

• Collaborate very closely with the design and product development teams to develop project plans to deliver innovative capacity building to tens of thousands of Ghanaian businesses over 2 years
  

• Ensure that innovative solutions are incorporated into project plans to enhance impact and efficiency.
  

• Lead and manage complex development projects that involve substantial innovation and product development aspects.
  

• Support the development and delivery of comprehensive training programs that focus on needs assessments for MSMEs in the agricultural sector.
  

• Utilize insights (both from experience and research) regarding the local business landscape and economic conditions to shape informed project strategies and recommendations.
  

• Codesign and oversee the implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks that effectively measure the impact of projects.
  

• Utilize datadriven insights for ongoing decisionmaking continuous improvement and enhanced project effectiveness.
  

• Organize and lead regular project team meetings to monitor progress address challenges and provide updates to stakeholders.
  

• Collaborate closely with crossfunctional teams including product development monitoring and evaluation and partnership teams to ensure cohesive and coordinated project execution.
  

• Share learnings and insights during impact collaboration sessions to inform future best practices and drive innovation.
  

Requirements

Required Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated success in managing and coordinating complex development projects especially those involving product development and innovation.
  

• Proficiency with project management tools and methodologies.
  

• Extensive experience working in the Agriculture sector and extensive experience in working with the BDS in Uganda.
  

• Experience in providing business development services to MSMEs.
  

• Experience with incubators accelerators or similar entrepreneurship support initiatives in Uganda
  

• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders including senior internal and external parties.
  

• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
  

• Ability to develop strategic plans and solve complex problems.
  

• Strong market analysis skills and understanding of local economic conditions.
  

• Experience in designing and implementing effective M&E frameworks.
  

• Ability to leverage data for project improvement.
  

• Experience working in multicultural environments and adapting to local contexts.
  

Education & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years experience in business consulting company training enterprise development or management education (essential).
  

• Proven programme management skills and experience especially with grantfunded programmes (essential).
  

• PMP Certified would be a plus
  

• Experience in entrepreneurial or highgrowth environments (essential).
  

• Postgraduate degree in finance business administration economics or a related field or equivalent experience.
  

• Facilitation experience (preferred).
  

Skills and Attributes

• Good understanding of the Uganda entrepreneurial/ SME landscape and BDS Ecosystem.
  

• To be comfortable in both English and key native languages.
  

• Startup & high growth company experience
  

• Excellent writing reporting and analytical skills.
  

• Have a consultant approach when presenting to clients and be able to meet aggressive deadlines.
  

• Excellent communication and organizational skills
  

• Extensive project management experience
  

• Ability to understand AMI s participants and implement learning experiences that enable the learner to achieve the desired learning outcome in a human centered and goaloriented way
  

• Excellent analytical and negotiation skills
  

• A commitment to AMI s values of excellence innovation and accountability
  

• Selfmotivated and able to take full ownership of own deliverables
  

• Solid time management skills ie. able to manage competing priorities and outputs
  

Benefits

• Be the best: We work really hard are proud of what we do and love delighting our clients with quality.
  
• Own it: We step up to the task never pass the buck and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results.
  
• Push the limits: We ask why embrace failure and try new things. We never settle.
  
• Do what s right: We act with integrity confront dishonesty treat people fairly and strive to contribute to the greater good
  
• Always care: We don t have ego it s always team before me . We are kind we celebrate each other s success and we care enough to give honest feedback.
  
  

• Monthly team social events and biannual team buildings
  
• Regular learning and coaching opportunities
  
• A hybrid working model
  
  

• A screening interview with our Talent Team.
  
• An interview with your Direct manager.
  
• A case study assessment
  
• A final interview with the Head of your Department.