Junior Project Manager (1-year fixed term contract)

Upstream; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Upstream in Johannesburg is seeking a motivated Junior Project Manager to support the Project Management Office in delivering digital, mobile, and technology projects within an international environment.

You will work with Project Managers, Product, Technical, Commercial, Operations, and clients, coordinating planning, execution, testing, and delivery while developing project management skills and learning methodologies and tools.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of project coordination in technology, consulting, or telecom.
• Strong verbal and written communication with clients and internal teams.
• Basic understanding of software development and the project lifecycle.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Exposure to Jira and Agile/Scrum is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Assist Project Managers in planning, coordinating, and tracking project activities across multiple projects.
• Monitor timelines, milestones, priorities, dependencies, risks, and blockers; escalate as needed.
• Prepare meeting agendas, capture decisions and action items, and ensure follow-up actions.
• Maintain project plans, status reports, process docs, and closure documentation.

Skills

Project coordination

Communication

Time management

Microsoft Office

Jira exposure

Agile/Scrum

PMP/PRINCE2 knowledge

Software concepts

Education

Computer Science

Information Technology

Engineering

Tools

Jira

Microsoft Project

Job description

Who we are

Upstream is a global leader in mobile marketing automation and digital service innovation, enabling Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and brands to grow revenue, improve customer engagement and succeed in the digital economy. With over two decades of experience and operations spanning 45+ markets across Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, we are a trusted partner to more than 60 MNOs worldwide.

Headquartered in Athens, Greece, and with regional hubs in London, Dubai, Johannesburg, Lagos, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Upstream combines global expertise with deep local insight. Our end-to-end approach encompasses strategy, creative development, technical deployment, campaign execution, and ongoing optimization, ensuring seamless, scalable, and performance-driven service delivery.

About the Role

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Junior Project Manager to join our Project Management Office (PMO) team. This role provides an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience supporting the delivery of digital, mobile, and technology projects in a fast‑paced, international environment.

The successful candidate will work closely with Project Managers, Product, Technical, Commercial, Operations teams, and clients to support project planning, execution, monitoring, testing, and delivery. The role requires strong communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, a proactive attitude, and a willingness to learn project management methodologies and tools.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Coordination & Delivery

• Assist Project Managers in planning, coordinating, and tracking project activities across multiple projects.
• Monitor project timelines, milestones, priorities, dependencies, risks, and blockers, escalating issues when required.
• Follow up on actions and deliverables with internal teams, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Create, update, and maintain project tasks, tickets, and boards in Jira, ensuring statuses and information remain accurate.
• Maintain project plans, status reports, process documentation, user guides, and project closure documentation.

2. Stakeholder & Client Coordination

• Coordinate communication between clients and internal teams including Product, Business, Development, QA, Commercial, and Operations.
• Participate in project meetings, workshops, and status calls.
• Prepare meeting agendas, capture key decisions and action items, and ensure agreed actions are followed through.
• Maintain clear and professional communication with clients and internal stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

3. Testing, Launch & Operational Support

• Coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities with internal teams and clients.
• Track testing progress, defects, and resolution status.
• Support project launches, deployments, and transition to operational teams.
• Assist in identifying and coordinating the resolution of launch or post-launch issues.

What You'll Bring

• Educational background in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Information Systems, Project Management, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of work experience involving project coordination in technology, consulting, or telecom
• Basic understanding of software development, web/mobile technologies, or the technology project lifecycle.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients and internal teams.
• Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Exposure to Jira, Agile/Scrum, UAT, telecom, mobile services, or digital products is an advantage.
• Project management certifications or training such as PMP, PRINCE2, CAPM, or Agile/Scrum are advantageous but not required.

Personal Characteristics

• Self-driven, responsible, and willing to take ownership of assigned activities.
• Proactive, adaptable, and eager to learn.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Good attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable working under pressure and in a fast‑paced environment.

What You'll Gain

• Practical experience working on real-world technology, mobile, and digital projects.
• Exposure to international clients and cross-functional project teams.
• Hands‑on experience with project delivery processes, Jira, UAT, launches, and stakeholder management.
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced Project Managers and technology professionals.
• Opportunity to develop toward a long‑term career.

We offer a competitive base salary and benefits, directly dependent on the candidate’s qualifications and skills. The real excitement comes from working closely with a dynamic, smart, agile, and highly motivated team in a competitive and fast‑paced environment.

Follow us on LinkedIn and stay updated on our latest news. Upstream is an equal‑opportunity employer.

Upstream is an equal‑opportunity employer. The Company does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, pregnancy, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital, or any other legally protected status. The Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled employees. Finally, the Company prohibits the harassment of any individual based on their protected status. This policy applies to all areas of personnel actions including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer,and social and recreational programs