Programme Manager: Scholarship at Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

Purpose of Role

• Responsible for the delivery of all programme activities in the region, managing the Programme Team and building appropriate relationships. The Programme Manager also holds overall responsibility for relationships with Scholars ensuring that they are appropriately supported to maximize their academic, entrepreneurial, and personal development.

Objectives of Role

Manage Talent and Team Leadership

• Manage Talent performance
• Conduct interviews for team vacancies
• Train, mentor, and coach Talent
• Manage the training and development of direct reports
• Select, assign, and lead/manage Talent
• Ensure that Programme Officers possess the necessary skills to deal with Scholar issues opened through Courageous Conversations
• Activate the Foundation's values-based culture by focusing on learning & growth and the delivery of excellence
• Develop a challenging and rewarding departmental working environment
• Define and refine the roles of subordinates
• Arrange and lead team progress meetings
• Ensure that all Talent can access relevant policies
• Implement a control system to ensure consistent compliance with policies

Drive the implementation of the Scholarship Programme

• Develop and define Programme objectives
• Develop and present programme plan
• Manage the programme development plan, including curriculum and related activity development
• Drive Development Programme initiatives and plans
• Develop and manage an annual programme calendar
• Develop and maintain written policies for the Programme
• Monitor the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure compliance
• Implement optimal operational procedures
• Scholars’ engagement monitored against benchmarks and corrective action taken where appropriate

Manage the development of new projects and the continuation of existing projects

• Set performance standard criteria for each project
• Provide overall guidance and direction
• Monitor and control the project at a tactical level
• Monitor progress of projects against the overall programme plan and emerging current trends
• Distribute project status reports, meeting minutes, and issues log to key stakeholders
• Ensure that project inter-dependences are identified and effectively managed
• Implement proper feedback mechanisms

Manage the scholar experience and performance

• Oversee logistics and prioritise Scholar availability against academic benchmarks
• Monitor Scholars' academic results as flagged by Programme Officers
• Recommend proactive and remedial action on gaps in academic results
• Analyse and report on the performance of Allan Gray Scholars
• Drive adherence to the Child Safeguarding Policy
• Drive clear, professional, and timeous communication to scholars
• Evaluate quarterly entrepreneurial, personal leadership, and academic reports
• Monitor the level of engagement of Scholars
• Assign Scholarship Programme Officers to each Scholar and monitor the relationship
• Review and analyse Lessons Learned Reports
• Formalise recommendations for Scholars renewal each year
• Review Scholar reports on a bi-annual basis

Financial Management

• Ensure that financial forecasts for the programme are developed and maintained
• Forecast annual operational expenses in line with programme objectives
• Manage costs against the approved budget
• Investigate methods to reduce/contain costs

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain and enhance internal and external stakeholder relations
• Visit key stakeholders at placement schools
• Develop and communicate Service Level Agreements for all stakeholder interactions
• Establish and implement stakeholder communication feedback loop
• Focus on improving the quality of relationships with placement schools
• Review and communicate scholar progress reports to custodians
• Establish and build relationships with related non-governmental organisations and relevant departments of government
• Establish and maintain relationships with professionals who may provide support to scholars

Reporting

• Collate and analyse relevant information and compile quarterly and annual reports
• Compile and submit reports for Forums and other stakeholders – High quality comprehensive report submitted on time

Experience and Qualifications

• Identification with the Foundation’s Vision, Mission and Ethos
• A relevant three year degree
• 1-3 years’ experience in management
• Knowledge of the scholarship and entrepreneurial education environment is an advantage

Competencies

• Adaptability
• Analytical Thinking
• Stakeholder Management
• Delegation
• Controls Quality & Standards
• Results Orientation/drive
• Service Excellence
• Team Leadership