About the job

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Description:

Coastal communities in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) rely heavily on marine and coastal ecosystems for food and livelihood. However, these ecosystems are facing increasing threats from activities like urbanization, population growth, and unsustainable resource exploitation. Climate change is making things worse by causing coral bleaching, flooding, and sea-level rise. To address these challenges, the anticipated Regenerative Seascapes Program will work to reduce the vulnerability of 350,000 people living in coastal communities in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Comoros, and Madagascar. The Program will support the creation of sustainable seascapes that contribute to the resilience of these communities. The proposed approach relies on nature-based solutions (NbS) and gender-responsive conservation practices to protect, restore and sustainably manage targeted ecosystems to support livelihoods provision and diversification while empowering communities, with a focus on women and youth’s economic empowerment in nature-based value chains for climate change adaptation in WIO region. The project has three pillars (Blue Planet, Blue Partners and Blue People) and TechnoServe will lead the pillar of “Blue People” - an anticipated 2 year program.

“Blue People” pillar seeks to strengthen the skills of women and youth entrepreneurs within nature-based value chains, enabling them to derive increased income from the natural resource base, and will strengthen the voices of women’s organizations and networks to ensure that they are better able to advocate for women’s rights.

Position Summary:

The Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the project plan in target countries. The project plans are based on studies which developed a baseline for Blue Economy priority sectors to provide the government, donors, conservation partners and other civil society actors with a roadmap of strategies, activities and potential investments in key priority sectors in Blue Economy that have the potential to benefit people, the ocean and the climate.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the program achieves established goals, objectives and targets
• Oversee development and submission of project deliverables on time and within budget including reports for all internal and external stakeholders
• In collaboration with TechnoServe’s Entrepreneurship Team, develop and adapt training curricula
• Ensure quality delivery of training (both by TNS and partner organizations) including co-facilitation with trainers, coaching and feedback to trainers
• Manage a small, but remotely dispersed team
• Represent the program and TNS at internal and external functions
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with local partners to promote cross sectoral collaborations
• Secure the support of relevant private sector firms, financial institutions, professional business councils/associations, and other stakeholders to support the initiative as advisors, sponsors, mentors, and volunteers
• Work with TechnoServe’s Entrepreneurship and Regenerative Business practice teams to identify and pursue opportunities for scaling Blue Entrepreneurship work across WIO region - and within the regenerative seascape space

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, international development or other relevant field plus seven years of professional experience. Or a Master’s degree plus five years of experience.
• Three years of experience in program management
• Experience managing a remote team
• Fluency in English and French proficiency

Preferred Qualifications:

• International development experience, entrepreneurship skills, and experience working with women, youth training and/or mentorship programs preferred
• Knowledge of or significant interest in nature-based solutions and entrepreneurship opportunities in Blue Economy, especially as applied to the WIO region.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to learn and become a thought leader in the field
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
• Ability to develop well-written, cohesive analyses and reports
• Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Willingness to travel up to 50%

Please note: This position is contingent based on the awarding of funding. All application materials must be submitted in English for further consideration. While we are open to all applicants in African countries where TechnoServe has operations, preference will be given to applicants in one of the target implementation counties. TechnoServe will not provide sponsorship or work authorization for this position, and all applicants must have work authorization in the country from which they are applying.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.