Programme Manager - Community Development Initiatives

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Training & growth opportunities

Pension fund contributions

Performance-based bonuses may be avail

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Programme Manager for a forward-thinking non-profit in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will lead community development initiatives focused on economic empowerment, education, and social upliftment, steering strategy, delivery, and impact measurement.

In this senior role you will manage budgets, oversee project teams, build partnerships with government, business, and NGOs, and ensure sustainability and reporting to stakeholders across KwaZulu-Natal.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive programme management experience in non-profit or community development.
• Experience managing complex projects and budgets with M&E methodologies.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong proposal writing and fundraising capabilities.
• Excellent networking and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency with project management software and standard office applications.
• Understanding socio-economic challenges in KwaZulu-Natal, especially Richards Bay.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans for community development programmes aligned with the mission and goals.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of programmes from design to evaluation.
• Manage programme budgets with financial accountability and reporting.
• Lead, mentor, and support project teams to foster high-performance work culture.
• Build and maintain relationships with government, community leaders, businesses, and NGOs.
• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to proposal writing to secure resources.
• Monitor progress, collect data, analyse results, and report to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and organisational standards.
• Represent the organisation at community forums and events.
• Facilitate community consultations and participatory planning.

Skills

Leadership

Budget mgmt

Proposal writing

Fundraising

Communication

Networking

Data analysis

Monitoring & Evaluation

Project management software

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in Development Studies / Social Sciences / Public Administration

Tools

MS Office

Project management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking non-profit organisation dedicated to sustainable community development, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Programme Manager to oversee their vital initiatives in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This senior role requires strategic leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating community programmes focused on economic empowerment, education, and social upliftment. The Programme Manager will be responsible for managing budgets, leading project teams, fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, and ensuring programme impact and sustainability. This is a significant opportunity to drive positive change and contribute to the growth and well-being of the Richards Bay community. The role requires a blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic plans for community development programmes in alignment with the organisation's mission and goals. Oversee the full lifecycle of programmes, from design and proposal development to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Manage programme budgets, ensuring financial accountability, efficient resource allocation, and timely reporting. Lead, mentor, and support project teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work culture. Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, community leaders, local businesses, and other NGOs in Richards Bay . Identify funding opportunities and contribute to proposal writing to secure resources for programmes. Monitor programme progress and impact, collecting data, analysing results, and producing regular reports for senior management and stakeholders. Ensure compliance with all legal, ethical, and organisational standards in programme delivery. Represent the organisation at community forums, conferences, and other relevant events. Facilitate community consultations and participatory planning processes.

Requirements

Master's degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a related field. Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in programme management, ideally within the non-profit or community development sector. Demonstrated success in managing complex projects and budgets, with a strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies. Proven leadership and team management skills. Excellent proposal writing and fundraising capabilities. Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Exceptional networking, communication, and interpersonal skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in project management software and standard office applications. Deep understanding of socio-economic challenges and development opportunities in the KwaZulu-Natal region, particularly Richards Bay . Ability to travel within the region as required.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. This role provides a unique opportunity to lead impactful community development initiatives in Richards Bay and shape the future of the region. We are committed to the professional development of our staff, offering training and growth opportunities. You will work in a dynamic and supportive environment with a team dedicated to social impact. Benefits include the chance to build a significant professional network and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Pension fund contributions and performance-based bonuses may be available.