Programme Manager: Skills Programme Administration at Technology Innovation Agency

Job Purpose:

• To manage the administration, governance, contractual compliance, financial oversight, reporting, and stakeholder coordination of SETA-funded and other externally funded skills development programmes. The role ensures that all programme funding agreements, contractual obligations, governance requirements, performance reporting, financial controls, and audit requirements are effectively managed and complied with, enabling successful programme implementation and achievement of strategic outcomes. The Programme Manager serves as the custodian of programme governance and funding administration, ensuring that TIA maintains a strong reputation as a trusted implementation partner for SETAs, government departments, donors, and other funding partners

Minimum Requirements    
Qualifications 

• A National Diploma qualification in fields such as Public Administration; Business Management; Project Management; Finance; Development Studies; Education and Training Management
• Preferably a Degree qualification in fields such as Public Administration; Business Management; Project Management; Finance; Development Studies; Education and Training Management

Work Experience 

• Minimum 5 - 8 years’ experience in:
• Programme administration
• Grant or fund management
• Skills development programmes
• Contract management
• Compliance and reporting
• Experience managing SETA-funded programmes
• Experience in public sector or development finance environments
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and implementing partners
• Preferably a minimum of 10+ years’ experience in:
• Programme administration
• Grant or fund management
• Skills development programmes
• Contract management
• Compliance and reporting

Job Knowledge 

• Knowledge of innovation ecosystem development, particularly grassroots and inclusive innovation programmes
• SETA & Skills Development Landscape
• Programme & Project Management
• Financial Management in Funded Programmes
• Contractual & Legal Frameworks
• Understanding of programme and project management principles, including programme lifecycle management, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting
• Knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) frameworks, performance measurement systems, and impact assessment methodologies
• Understanding of the National System of Innovation (NSI), technology innovation support mechanisms, and commercialisation pathways
• Knowledge of public sector governance frameworks, including PFMA, Treasury Regulations, supply chain governance, and compliance requirements
• Understanding of stakeholder management and partnership development across government, academia, industry, civil society, and community structures

Soft Skills 

• Strategic thinking
• Stakeholder engagement
• Community facilitation
• Leadership and team development
• Problem solving and adaptability

Technical Skills

• Funding & Contract Management
• Innovation ecosystem development
• Governance & Compliance
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Financial Administration

Competencies

• Business acumen
• Technology / Product Development skills
• Report writing skills
• Communication – written and verbal
• Entrepreneurship

Duties and Responsibilities    
FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE 

Financial Management

• Manage programme budget and funding allocations and ensure compliance with PFMA and internal governance frameworks
• Effective budget management expressed as % budget utilisation
• Strong financial reporting and compliance in line with quality standards and timelines
• Efficient management of Audit findings related to the programmes

Funding Agreement and Contract Management

• Oversee the full implementation and administration of SETA and donor funding agreements
• Monitor and enforce compliance with all contractual instruments, including MOAs, SLAs, and grant conditions
• Coordinate and process contract amendments, extensions, and variations as required

Financial Administration and Fund Management

• To ensure prudent financial administration and effective utilisation of programme funds through budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and financial compliance oversight
• Review and validate financial reports submitted by implementing partners and service providers

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP

Implementing Partner Administration and Oversight

• Manage implementing partner onboarding, compliance, performance monitoring, and corrective action processes
• Manage all administrative components of implementing partner agreements and contracts
• Track partner performance against contractual deliverables and programme expectations
• Escalate non-performance issues and support corrective action processes where required

Stakeholder and Funding Partner Management

• To maintain effective stakeholder and funder coordination by managing administrative communication, programme review processes, and relationship support that sustains confidence and enables funding continuity
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison with SETAs, government departments, funding partners, implementing partners, and internal stakeholders
• Support partnership renewal processes, funding expansion discussions, and relationship-building initiatives