Senior Remote Project Manager - Rural Development Initiatives

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 76,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

International exposure

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Remote Project Manager for a prominent non-profit focused on sustainable rural development. The role is fully remote and will oversee projects across regions, including agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure in underserved communities within South Africa.

You will lead planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring, ensuring grant compliance and impact evaluations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in International Development or related field.
• 7–10 years of project management experience, with rural/community focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, planning, and execution of rural development projects.
• Develop project plans with scope, budgets, timelines, and resources.
• Monitor progress and ensure quality and sustainability standards.
• Manage relationships with communities, local government, NGOs, and funders.
• Identify and mitigate risks in rural/remote settings.
• Communicate progress and impact via virtual channels.
• Facilitate capacity building and training for local teams.
• Ensure grant compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct needs assessments and measure outcomes.
• Promote best practices in sustainable development and community engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Remote management

Stakeholder management

Cultural sensitivity

Project management software

Virtual collaboration tools

Education

Master's degree in International Development

Tools

Project management software

Virtual collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable rural development, is seeking an experienced Senior Remote Project Manager to lead impactful initiatives across various regions. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from any location within South Africa. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects focused on areas such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and community infrastructure in underserved rural communities. You will work closely with local community leaders, government agencies, and partner organizations to ensure projects meet community needs and achieve sustainable outcomes. This role demands strong leadership, excellent communication, cultural sensitivity, and a proven ability to manage complex projects in challenging environments from a distance. If you are passionate about making a tangible difference in rural communities and possess a strong remote project management skillset, this is an exceptional opportunity. We are looking for a proactive individual who can drive positive change and ensure the effective delivery of development programs in regions like the Eastern Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and execution of rural development projects, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and community needs.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, budgets, timelines, and resource allocation for remote management.
• Oversee project implementation, monitoring progress, and ensuring adherence to quality and sustainability standards.
• Manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, local government, NGOs, and funding partners.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with projects in rural and remote settings.
• Ensure effective communication and reporting to stakeholders through virtual channels, providing regular updates on project progress and impact.
• Facilitate capacity building and training for local project teams and community members.
• Ensure compliance with grant agreements, funding requirements, and relevant regulations.
• Conduct needs assessments and impact evaluations to inform project design and measure outcomes.
• Promote best practices in sustainable development and community engagement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in International Development, Rural Development, Public Administration, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in project management, with a significant focus on development projects, preferably in rural or community-based settings.
• Proven experience managing projects funded by international donors or government grants.
• Strong understanding of rural development challenges and approaches in the South African context.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects remotely and work effectively with dispersed teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management software and virtual collaboration tools.
• Cultural sensitivity and experience working with various community groups.
• Experience in the Eastern Cape or similar provinces is highly desirable.
• Fluency in at least one local language relevant to the project regions is an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive remote salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and international exposure.
• A meaningful career making a significant impact on rural communities.
• Contribution towards home office expenses and internet connectivity.
• A supportive and mission-driven organizational culture.