Programme Manager

At Chemonics, we don’t just work on projects. We help shape what’s possible. For 50 years, we’ve delivered results in 160 countries in some of the world’s most complex environments. Today, we’re evolving how we work, harnessing the power of data, applied technology and AI, media, and a disciplined approach to project delivery to reach ambitious goals.

Our teams are reengineering global supply chains, scaling clean energy solutions, and tailoring tech to local needs—all with proven expertise, creativity, and heart. The work is challenging, but that’s what draws us in. Because at Chemonics, we thrive where others hesitate.

If you’re already part of this mission, thank you. And if you’re thinking about joining us—know that your ideas, skills, and energy are exactly what the future demands.

This is more than a job. It’s a chance to drive real, lasting impact. Together, we’re building what’s next.

Role Purpose

The Programme Manager is responsible for the programme management of one of our flagship Education programmes. This pivotal role ensures effective coordination between the London-based Project Management Unit (PMU), the in-country project team, the client, and implementing partners, driving delivery excellence and impact, financial integrity, and adherence to client and Chemonics corporate requirements. This position will also be part of fostering team growth and actively engaging in new business opportunities. The role will also feed into our wider Human Development practice supporting portfolio growth and input into practice technical work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages day-to-day support to the programme delivery team and client, including communicating and assisting with programme-office requests and overseeing adherence to project requirements, government regulations, and Chemonics policies.
• In collaboration with the team leader, programme director, senior programme manager and technical lead, supports development of work plans; ensures timely resources to execute the plan; supports progress and reporting of implementation; supports conceptualisation of new strategies to improve performance; ensures programme activities are aligned with achieving results.
• Monitors programme performance against contractual and work plan milestones, logframe targets and key performance indicators.
• Manages the submission of all required deliverables on time and at high quality, elevating any deviations for resolution.
• Supervises programme financial performance, liaising with the programme accountant and Senior Programme Manager to ensure assigned project(s) are meeting corporate annual budget targets, managing the programme to meet client annual and life of project spend allocation.
• Responsible for prompt payment compliance and leads efforts in reviewing and determining causes of variances in expenditures against forecasts and budgets and ensuring client is informed as appropriate; works with senior programme manager to identify solutions for shortfalls and train other PMU staff to do the same.
• Proactively identifies issues or potential risks, including project performance, financial, and compliance, and supports plans and strategies to address those risks, communicating, when appropriate, with the director, senior programme manager and/or senior leadership; appropriately consults with support units on corporate-office and project-office matters to help make informed decisions.
• Takes initiative to identify business opportunities, efficiencies, and cost savings for the programme and business line.
• Identifies opportunities for knowledge- and solution-sharing across company and takes initiative to build staff and company capacity.
• Oversees and leads negotiations with programme subcontract partners, oversees and/or completes drafting and execution of subcontract agreements/contracts; identifies and manages key subcontract issues, payments, budgets, and invoicing; and reviews deliverables in coordination with programme team to ensure they meet technical, contractual, and quality standards.
• Oversees recruitment of long- and short-term programme personnel in accordance with Chemonics’ policy and delegates to or mentors others in programme recruiting where possible and appropriate.
• Conducts periodic in-country programme office visits to monitor and support programme operations and implementation.
• Provides quality assurance reviews for deliverables and/or direct technical assistance via short-term assignments to projects.
• May provide technical and/or operational support via short-term assignments to projects within and external to the business unit in areas of expertise.
• Develops effective working relationships with clients, counterparts and stakeholders and continually promotes outstanding client service with corporate office staff and project teams participates in discussions as part of quarterly client consultations; participates in response on annual client performance reviews in consultation with the team leader and programme director.
• Performs other duties as required.

Management and Leadership

• Supervises, mentors, trains, develops, and evaluates assigned staff; provides regular performance feedback to supervisees, conducts performance reviews and responsible for preserving adequate time and opportunity to support supervisees to grow professionally.
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviours and leadership consistent with Chemonics’ values and leadership competencies.

Technical Practice Engagement

• Actively engages in technical practice of relevance to areas of interest or focus, sharing information and best practices learned with the company, including connecting the practice and project in support of enhanced project performance and technical leadership goals of the Human Development practice.
• Promotes Chemonics by attending external events, networking with clients and counterparts.
• May provide technical support internal and external to the Business Line in areas of expertise including but not limited to the technical practices and Centres of Excellence within Chemonics UK.

New Business

• Actively engages in new business efforts, including lead development and capture and taking on key proposal roles.

Innovation and Improvement:

• Support the enhancement of programme management practices through innovative approaches, leveraging innovative technologies and methodologies such as AI.

Person Specification:

Essential Skills

• At least 7 years programme management experience with the FCDO.
• Experience in managing budgets over £15 million.
• Demonstrated critical project management skills, including budget management, contractual and procurement compliance, client relations and knowledge of client, and personnel management for relevant donor/client projects required.
• Experience supervising employees required.
• Thorough understanding of donor/client requirements and how to apply them to project management.
• Demonstrated experience working on one or more projects while simultaneously providing support to proposals.
• Demonstrated experience providing financial and/or compliance support on a project management team and strong commercial acumen.
• Demonstrated experience following standard practices and procedures, receiving general instruction on work progress, and making significant contribution to end results.
• Works independently and as part of an inclusive team.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem solving and initiative to learn new skills.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and word processing abilities.
• Foreign language proficiency in a relevant region we operate in is desirable.
• Previous experience working in international development and/or living or conducting work in developing countries preferred.

Education / Professional Skills

• Degree in relevant field or equivalent work experience required; advanced degree preferred.

Other

• UK work authorisation or ability to obtain it required.
• Willingness to travel up to 8 weeks per year.

Chemonics is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics.

Safeguarding

At Chemonics, safeguarding – protecting a person’s right to live safely, free from violence, abuse, and neglect – is integral to the work we do. We integrate safeguarding measures to protect our staff, partners, and communities from all forms of violence and apply a survivor-centered approach that is trauma-sensitive, human-rights informed, intersectional, and locally led. All job applicants will complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) basic check or equivalent overseas police check will be obtained for Chemonics employees prior to their start date.