Program Development Specialist

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 540,000 - 740,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Mission-driven work in Durban

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a meticulous and innovative Program Development Specialist to design, refine, and implement impactful social programs in KwaZulu-Natal. This role emphasizes needs assessment, proposal development, and donor alignment.

The successful candidate will work with field staff and government/NGO partners to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and learning across programs addressing community needs in the region.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in International Development, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in program design, development, and management in non-profit sector.
• Proven track record of grant writing and proposal development.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent understanding of program lifecycle, M&E frameworks, and results-based management.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct needs assessments and feasibility studies to identify potential program areas.
• Develop innovative and comprehensive program proposals for internal and external funding.
• Design program frameworks, including goals, objectives, activities, and M&E plans.
• Ensure programs align with our client's mission, strategic plan, and donor requirements.
• Collaborate with program managers and field staff to ensure effective implementation.
• Monitor program progress, evaluate outcomes, and recommend adjustments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, NGOs, and community leaders in Durban.
• Prepare regular progress reports and program documentation for stakeholders.
• Contribute to organizational learning and knowledge management related to program development.

Skills

Grant writing

Program design

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Master's degree in International Development, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Project management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading humanitarian organization operating in **Durban**, seeks a meticulous and innovative Program Development Specialist. This role is central to designing, refining, and implementing impactful programs that address critical social needs within the **KwaZulu-Natal** region. The Specialist will be responsible for identifying new opportunities, developing project proposals, and ensuring program alignment with our client's strategic objectives and mission. This position requires a strong understanding of program lifecycle management, needs assessment methodologies, and results-based management frameworks. While the role is based in our **Durban** office, offering rich opportunities for in-person collaboration and community engagement, occasional travel within the province may be required to oversee project implementation and stakeholder engagement. We are looking for a proactive individual with a passion for social change and a proven ability to translate needs into effective, sustainable programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct needs assessments and feasibility studies to identify potential program areas.
• Develop innovative and comprehensive program proposals for internal and external funding.
• Design program frameworks, including goals, objectives, activities, and M&E plans.
• Ensure programs align with our client's mission, strategic plan, and donor requirements.
• Collaborate with program managers and field staff to ensure effective implementation.
• Monitor program progress, evaluate outcomes, and recommend adjustments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, NGOs, and community leaders in **Durban**.
• Prepare regular progress reports and program documentation for stakeholders.
• Contribute to organizational learning and knowledge management related to program development.

Requirements

• Master's degree in International Development, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program design, development, and management within the non-profit sector.
• Proven track record of successful grant writing and proposal development.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent understanding of program lifecycle, M&E frameworks, and results-based management.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the socio-economic context of **KwaZulu-Natal** is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in project management software and MS Office Suite.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to shape impactful programs in **Durban**.
• Work within a respected and mission-driven organization.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Contribution to positive social change in the **KwaZulu-Natal** region.