National Programmes Manager – Community Education and Mobilisation (CEM) Unit

About Sonke

Founded in 2006, Sonke is a women’s rights organisation that is committed to feminist principles, using a rights-based and gender-transformative approach to achieve human rights and gender justice. Our vision is a world in which women, children, men and gender non-conforming individuals enjoy equitable, caring, healthy and happy relationships that contribute to the development of gender-just and democratic societies. Sonke strengthens governments, civil society and citizen’s capacity to advance gender justice and women’s rights, prevent gender-based violence, and reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of AIDS, and in this way contributing to social justice and the elimination of poverty.)

About the position

The National Programmes Manager – CEM Unit is responsible for the overall programme management, strategic oversight, and management support to the CEM Provincial Managers, Programme Specialist and other programme staff, the coordination of CEM stakeholder meetings and convening regular meetings with key civil society and government stakeholders nationally. Provide support to the Senior Management Team on donor relations, especially the preparation of CEM specific proposals and donor reports and representing the organisation in national and international meetings. Ensure the implementation and management of the CEM operational plan and assist in drafting unit budgets, budget management, tracking and monitoring. Working very closely with the Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Unit and other units within Sonke.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Project management and implementation: Work with the CEM teams in the relevant provinces, convenes project planning meetings for all projects, conceptualise projects and develops detailed work plans with clear targets and timeframes, ensuring that staff understand their roles and responsibilities, including the distinct tasks involved in community education and community mobilisation. Ensures that all projects in all provinces are on target, meets deliverables and achieves intended impact, including community mobilisation and Community Action Team (CAT) development activities.
2. Staff management: Convenes and documents weekly team meetings to review project status, conducts and documents monthly one on one staff supervision meetings, adheres to compliance specific criteria, carries out and documents 2 to 4 observations per month of training activities, and provides ongoing mentorship and support to CEM Provincial Managers, trainers and peer educators to ensure that their work is of a high standard, meets project goals and promotes staff development. Furthermore, ensures that staff are thoroughly orientated with Sonke’s Human Resource policies and procedures.
3. Capacity development: Curate material development and contribute to the review of existing materials and curriculum to ensure relevance and accuracy, oversees development of new curricula and materials and ensures roll-out across all relevant Sonke teams. Leads on the ongoing refinement and implementation of Sonke’s community mobilization and community action team model. Support coordination of induction and ongoing training so that the training staff have the skills and knowledge needed to implement popular education methodologies with adults and youth.
4. Support Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Develops or contributes to research outputs including development of abstracts. Submits all agreed upon reports (project reports, budgets, supervision reports, observation reports, team meeting reports, stakeholder meeting reports, community mobilisation and CAT reports), monthly. Actively contributes to the development, review and sign-off on Sonke’s capacity building model for working with partner organisations, including M&E systems to assess the impact of our capacity building work. 
5. Compliance and risk management: Ensures adherence to Sonke’s procurement policies, including proper preparation of requisitions, quotations and payments in liaison with the finance unit for all project activities. Authorise payments as per Sonke’s levels of authorisation. Identify and manage financial and programmatic risk.
6. Donor liaison and reporting: Timeous development of donor reports. Analyse monthly financial reports and provide feedback to the finance team. Track and monitor expenditures. Ensure compliance with donor regulation and financial cost principle.
7. Participate in and support resource mobilisation: Contribute to Sonke’s resource mobilization strategy. Support programme design and development and fundraising activities.
8. Participate in management meetings: Prepares for and participates actively in monthly CEM unit meetings, in full management team meetings and SMT meetings (if required). 

Competencies and skills

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of Sonke and the CEM unit.
• Demonstrates integrity by Sonke’s values and ethical standards.
• Strong people skills with the ability to work under pressure.
• Significant experience working on issues related to gender equality, GBV, HIV and human rights.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Organises and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships.
• Plans, coordinates and organises workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines.
• Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and partners to facilitate the provision of support.
• Ability to design and develop programmes.
• Stakeholder management and engagement.
• Ability to disseminate research findings in formats relevant to communities and partners.
• Exceptional public speaking and formal presentation skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Budget development, tracking and monitoring.
• In-depth knowledge of M&E, gender and development issues. 
• Good understanding of capacity assessment methodologies and excellent ability to identify significant capacity building opportunities.
• Self-Management and the ability to focus on results for the team.
• Interpersonal and people management skills.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Has excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Sensitive and responsive to all partners.

Qualifications and experience

• Recognised bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Developmental Studies and/or equivalent of 5 to 7 years’ work experience in social development sector and non-profit organisation.
• A postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years project management experience and monitoring programme implementation.
• Fluency in English, a local language is advantageous.
• Above average competence in the use of Microsoft packages. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, i.e. Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Experience in donor reporting and liaison.
• Significant budgeting and financial management skills.
• Interpersonal and people management skills.
• Very good writing skills with the ability to write clearly & concisely.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Experience working in the NGO environment & with international donors.
• Willingness to travel 20 to 30% of the time.

To Apply 

• Interested applicants should submit their Curriculum Vitae, and a motivation letter detailing experience and contact details of 3 referees to Sonke’s Human Resource Unit via email to hiring@genderjustice.org.za, closing date 30 April 2024.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• Applicants must be based in South Africa.
• Sonke is committed to transformation and encourages previously disadvantaged individuals, individuals living with disabilities and young people to apply. All applications will be considered with the understanding that in terms of Sonke’s employment equity plan, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, provided the experience and qualifications criteria are met.
• Please consider your application unsuccessful if you do not hear from us by 31 May 2024.
• Sonke reserves the right not to make an appointment.