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The African Management Initiative (AMI)
AMI is looking for a Senior Programme Manager to oversee the end-to-end quality project delivery of a new partner programme launching in Ghana in late 2024, with a focus on reaching SMEs with capacity building programmes at significant scale. This is a chance for an outstanding entrepreneurial leader to be part of Africa’s transformation, and to help shape, build and scale one of its most innovative social businesses.
The Senior Programme Manager will be part of the team implementing partner-based programmes under the AMI Impact unit. You will be a key player in a dynamic, global team focused obsessively on results. As this is our first Ghana-focused hire, it is a senior role with strong opportunity for growth and to demonstrate your potential to lead within AMI.
At AMI, we work hard, innovate constantly, and have fun in the process. This is a chance for someone with a passion for learning, leadership, and business growth to be part of Africa’s transformation. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with past experience managing grant-funded programmes, including report-writing related work.
The Senior Programme Manager must be a driven, organized, detail-oriented leader with great people and project-management skills and ability to manage complex programmes. The ability to work independently and entrepreneurially, with limited support on the ground from more senior staff (who are predominantly Kenya-based), will be critical.
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Program Manager with a robust background in SME Business Development Services (BDS) or SME financing/ other SME support in Ghana. An understanding of the agriculture sector is beneficial. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of the MSME landscape, including NGOs, capacity building, marketing stakeholders, and investors. Furthermore, the candidate should have a solid track record in project management, and entrepreneurship support, with specific experience in complex programme plan development and implementation, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building initiatives.
Please note the contract signature is dependent on an imminent contract signature between AMI and the dunder of the relevant Ghana project.
The Senior Programme Manager will be responsible for:
Oversee the comprehensive lifecycle of AMI partner projects, from initiation to completion.
Hire and oversee any additional local hires to deliver on the programme, in close collaboration with head office.
Manage logistical team elements, e.g. securing a workspace as needed based on final team size.
Develop and execute detailed project plans, setting clear milestones and deliverables while adhering to strict timelines.
Monitor project scope, manage risks, and manage project budget ensure high-quality outcomes using AMI’s ERP system.
Build and maintain robust relationships with external stakeholders, including financial institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and other partners.
Engage and coordinate with senior internal stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment on project goals.
Negotiate and secure necessary resources and support for successful project implementation.
Collaborate very closely with the design and product development teams to develop project plans to deliver innovative capacity building to tens of thousands of Ghanaian businesses over 2 years
Ensure that innovative solutions are incorporated into project plans to enhance impact and efficiency.
Lead and manage complex development projects that involve substantial innovation and product development aspects.
Support the development and delivery of comprehensive training programs that focus on needs assessments for MSMEs in the agricultural sector.
Utilize insights (both from experience and research) regarding the local business landscape and economic conditions to shape informed project strategies and recommendations.
Co-design and oversee the implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks that effectively measure the impact of projects.
Utilize data-driven insights for ongoing decision-making, continuous improvement, and enhanced project effectiveness.
Organize and lead regular project team meetings to monitor progress, address challenges, and provide updates to stakeholders.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, monitoring and evaluation, and partnership teams, to ensure cohesive and coordinated project execution.
Share learnings and insights during impact collaboration sessions to inform future best practices and drive innovation.
Required Skills and Experience:
Demonstrated success in managing and coordinating complex development projects, especially those involving product development and innovation.
Proficiency with project management tools and methodologies.
Extensive experience working in the Agriculture sector and extensive experience in working with the BDS in Ghana.
Experience in providing business development services to MSMEs.
Experience with incubators, accelerators, or similar entrepreneurship support initiatives in Ghana
Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including senior internal and external parties.
Strong communication and negotiation skills.
Ability to develop strategic plans and solve complex problems.
Strong market analysis skills and understanding of local economic conditions.
Experience in designing and implementing effective M&E frameworks.
Ability to leverage data for project improvement.
Experience working in multicultural environments and adapting to local contexts.
Education & Experience
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in business consulting, company training, enterprise development, or management education (essential).
Proven programme management skills and experience, especially with grant-funded programmes (essential).
PMP Certified would be a plus
Experience in entrepreneurial or high-growth environments (essential).
Postgraduate degree in finance, business administration, economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Facilitation experience (preferred).
Skills and Attributes
Good understanding of the Ghanian entrepreneurial/ SME landscape and BDS Ecosystem.
To be comfortable in both English and key native languages.
Startup & high growth company experience
Excellent writing, reporting and analytical skills.
Have a consultant approach when presenting to clients and be able to meet aggressive deadlines.
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Extensive project management experience
Ability to understand AMI’s participants and implement learning experiences that enable the learner to achieve the desired learning outcome in a human centered and goal-oriented way
Excellent analytical and negotiation skills
A commitment to AMI’s values of excellence, innovation and accountability
Self-motivated, and able to take full ownership of own deliverables
Solid time management skills ie. able to manage competing priorities and outputs.
