DREAMS IES Provincial Manager

Job Advert

IES ACHIEVE PROVINCIAL MANAGER X5

Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Kwa Zulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Project Description:

DREAMS Intensive Economic Strengthening (IES) is a component of the ACHIEVE programming in South Africa. The DREAMS IES intervention is specifically aimed at empowering YW and increasing their opportunities to be self-reliant and earn sustainable livelihoods. 

ACHIEVE will build YW self-efficacy and decision-making power in relationships through economic independence so that their risk of HIV infection is reduced as they are less reliant on transactional sex and/or having to remain in relationships where they are experiencing emotional and physical abuse. 

Economic insecurity continues to increase vulnerability and is often a reason for risky sexual behavior among AGYW. Through the IES program sustainable linkages are created to a diversified array of socioeconomic opportunities that provide YW with a chance to earn a sustainable livelihood and minimize the economic inequalities they suffer. This subsequently strengthens their self-sufficiency (financial and emotional) to make more informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

Position Description:

The DREAMS IES Provincial Manager provides overall leadership and management of the project at the provincial level and ensures high-quality technical programming and alignment to DREAMS targets.  Specifically, s/he will be responsible for supporting the DREAMS IES implementing. partners and ACHIEVE provincial staff with programmatic/technical guidance, training, and mentoring. S/he will provide implementing partners with expert guidance on appropriate technical and programmatic approaches and strategies to prepare young women to succeed in the workforce/wage employment or self-employment/entrepreneurship. S/he will develop and disseminate SOPs, guidelines, tools and job aids to facilitate effective implementation at district and sub-district levels. S/he will be responsible to establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders such as local municipalities, businesses, local government, CSOs and local communities.

Where it is required due to level of effort by district, s/he will oversee more than one province. S/he will be based in the assigned province and travel extensively within the province/s in order to fulfil the project goals. The Provincial Manager will report to the ACHIEVE IES Program Director.

Minimum Key Responsibilities and duties:

• Provide technical oversight to IES implementing partners to ensure appropriate implementation of all IES components.

• Assist implementing partners to develop and update project work plans and budgets in close collaboration with the ACHIEVE team.

• Create linkages to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for YW by cultivating private sector partnerships.

• Provide guidance and technical assistance to the DREAMS Ambassadors, trainers and mentors, clarifying   roles and responsibilities.

• Assist implementing partners to develop and implement strategies and approaches for targeting and enrolling eligible participants for IES services. 

• Develop strong relationships with NACOSA, the partner responsible for referring eligible participants.

• Capacitate and support implementing partners in developing and executing Quality Improvement Plans to augment performance on IES (or a specific component of IES) as required. 

• Facilitate the strengthening of bi-directional referral systems and linkages for those at risk where necessary.

• Build partnerships with the Department of Small Business Development to link AGYW with available start-up resources. 

• Collaborate with IES Data Analyst on performance results analysis, visualization, and reporting.

• Work closely with the provincial teams and partners to encourage and promote alliance building with provincial stakeholders.

• Provide support to implementing partners to meet their IES targets through weekly tracking and performance analysis.

• Participate in quality assurance activities, data validation, program review and performance monitoring of MER indicators. 

• Ensure that implementing partners coordinate, develop, and maintain high quality program documents, e.g., trackers, work plans, agendas, minutes of meetings, training reports, etc.

• Have a sound view of partner performance, from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective, at all times. 

• Provide regular training to partners to ensure that implementation approach is in line with USAID guidelines.

• Provide implementing partners with expert direction on a coordinated, streamlined, and effective IES strategy to meet the IES targets.

• Identify and engage with key stakeholders in the province/s.  This includes the private sector, agencies, government, and the development sector to create successful linkages and opportunities for young women in various pathways (wage employment and self-employment/entrepreneurship opportunities, wage internship, learnership, and vocational training) and share such opportunities with partners.

• Actively liaise with other PEPFAR DREAMS implementing partners, NGOs, other civil society partners, local municipalities, and communities to cultivate strategic relationships and alliances.

• Manage and oversee budget allocation for programme activities including ensuring that all funds provided are utilized in line with approved costs. Work closely with the Grants Manager to ensure that IPs utilize funds appropriately to the submission of abstracts and research papers as applicable to IES.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

1. Degree in Business Management and Administration or any related field. A master’s degree is an added advantage.

2. At least (five) 5 progressive years of experience  working in Economic Strengthening, Systems Strengthening or Workforce Development in South Africa.

3. Skills in training and empowerment of young women

4. Knowledge and understanding of the South African labor and government sector. 

5. Familiarity with U.S. government rules and regulations for a cooperative agreement

6. Demonstrated experience linking youth, especially young women, to employment or entrepreneurship activities.

7. Demonstrated knowledge of the private sector support landscape for young women in South Africa. Sound understanding of the socio-economic landscape of South Africa 

8. At least three years demonstrated PEPFAR experience. 

9. Strong familiarity with PEPFAR and USAID policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and reporting requirements for INGO-led projects

10. Proven management and inter-personal skills.

11. Experience in partnership management is highly recommended. 

12. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

13. Valid South African driver’s license.

14. Eligibility to work in South Africa.

15. Willingness to travel extensively across different provinces.

Only applicants possessing the prescribed minimum qualifications and experience are invited to submit their electronic CVs and application letters with a subject line “IES ACHIEVE Provincial Manger” and “Province” to applications@pactworld.org 

Closing Date:  21 September 2023 

Pact reserves the right to verify all information provided by candidates including credit rating. Please note that correspondence will be limited to short listed candidates only and if you do not hear from us within 3 weeks after the closing date kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.