Sr Program Manager

Company Description

Porticus is a philanthropic organisation that aims to create a just and sustainable future where human dignity flourishes. Our work aims to strengthen the resilience of communities so that all people have ownership over their future and natural resources are used in a sustainable way. Our work is realized through strong networks of partners including local and global NGOs, communities, people with lived experience, policy makers and co-funders. With colleagues based in 14 offices around the world, we want to provide solutions to today’s social and environmental problems that benefit generations to come in four areas: the natural environment, society, education and faith.

**Job Description**:
**This is a fixed term maternity cover for 1 year**

The Programme Manager is responsible for developing and managing strategic programmes, as well as forging networks, the scope of which is aligned to Porticus strategies.

Leadership
- A thought leader, able to influence and push the field towards higher impact and systemic change.

Exploration
- Identifies opportunities for strategy-aligned projects and programmes and manages grants for exploration in a region and where possible contributing to a sector with clear attention to the learning cycle within which these ideas are developing.
- Works to concurrently articulate and socialize the concepts within the organization, across the matrix, based on tangible lessons and learnings.

Contextualisation
- In collaboration with corresponding RD, enables sense making when it comes to strategic decisions related to a challenge or a sector, but also going beyond the challenge. Thinks broader than programme challenge-related work.
- Internally and externally represents a region’s contextual needs/possibilities for sectoral/cross-thematic work, nudging the discourse further within the ecosystem.
- Continuously analyses opportunities, momentum, trends and challenges related to the sector and/or region they are responsible for.
- Develops knowledge on region and/or challenge related topics and participates in related expert network.

Program Design and implementation
- Actively building the field on a topic (pushing the thematic discourse further), nurturing networks (outside of grants, with funders, other stakeholders), creating platforms and drawing in lessons and learnings (beyond reporting).
- Develops programmes that aim for systemic and lasting changes in alignment with challenge strategies and leads the implementation of these programmes, including but not limited to:

- Convening programme partners and other key stakeholders
- Storytelling
- Represents the program internally and externally
- Engages in relevant fora and champion the work of partners
- Prepares communication material in collaboration with communication colleagues
- Building & Maintaining relationships
- Develops strategic partnerships, in close cooperation with Regional Director and Challenge Leads.
- Builds and manages a trust-based strategic partnerships and engages in strategic dialogue on emerging and critical issues with diverse network in a region or globally.
- Understands the role and value of partners as contributing to the overall strategic intent
- Contributes to annual reflection cycles with input, discussion and managing the integration of the learning in future work.
- Non-financial contribution to partners such as capacity building on fundraising and identifying co-funders.

**Qualifications**:

- Holds professional and/or academic qualifications, has extensive (lived) experience and demonstrate a broad range of achievements in different industries and geographies.
- Work experience in MENA or on education specifically in MENA is a plus
- Approx. 8+ years in fields relevant to assigned responsibilities.
- Preference for significant relevant work and (lived) experience with strong networks and contacts.
- A broad background with deep comprehensive understanding of program design and development, systems, networking and community change.
- Experience of and commitment to, working with and through partners and contributing to partnership strategies.
- Experience with strategy, monitoring, evaluation and learning (SMEL) and working with other technical advisors and research teams to establish effective monitoring systems in relation to programme activities.
- Ability to think and act on a strategic level.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Ability to accurately assess situations and find appropriate solutions to generate impact.
- Strong in building and maintaining networks. Adaptability to changing contexts.
- Strong analytical and project management skills, able to break down and solve complex problems and present these to internal and external stakeholders.
- Commitment to addressing power dynamics in philanthropic partners.
- Ability to multi-task and set priorities and be an effective collaborator in a complex internal and external environmen