Programme Operations Manager

Programme Operations Manager

Financing Agency: Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA)

Duty Station: Pretoria South Africa (Applicants must reside and have legal right to work in South Africa)

Tenure: This is a fixed-term employment contract for 36 months renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) serves as the implementing arm of the Global Water Partnership in the SADC region and hosts the Africa Coordination Unit (ACU) and the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) Secretariat. Guided by its Constitution Staff Rules and Regulations and governance frameworks.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Programme Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing procurement facilities and contract management functions to ensure efficient compliant and cost-effective operations in support of GWPSAs programme objectives. The role ensures strong governance donor compliance operational continuity and value for money while supporting ethical and transparent use of resources. Lead the operationalisation of GWPSA programmes by ensuring that procurement contracting and logistics systems are embedded into the full project lifecycle (design inception implementation and closure).

Duties and responsibilities:

Operational & Strategic Management:

• Develop and implement operational policies procedures and systems aligned with GWPSAs mission values and strategic plan.

• Translateorganisationalstrategies into efficient operational plans that supportprogrammedelivery.

• Ensure operational readiness to support donor-funded projects andorganisationalgrowth.
• Advisesenior management on operational risks systems strengthening and resourceoptimisation.
• Design and deliver training and ongoing guidance to staff to ensure a clear understanding consistent application and compliance with GWPSAs procurement policies and procedures.

Procurement Management:

• Oversee all procurement activities for goods services and works in line withGWPSApolicies and donor requirements.

• Ensure transparent competitive and ethical procurement processes that meet value-for-money principles.
• Ensure procurement plans are consolidated approved and monitored across all programs.

• Review and approve procurement plans bid evaluations and supplier recommendations within delegated authority.

• Ensure segregation of duties and compliance with internal controls.

• Develop and manage supplier relationships andmonitorsupplier performance.
• Supportprogrammeteams with procurement planning for grant-funded projects.
• Ensure timely procurement and contracting processes to avoid delays in programme implementation with defined service-level timelines and escalation mechanisms.
• Monitor and report on operational performance indicators including procurement lead times contract execution timelines and service delivery efficiency.
• Manage procurement-related risks disputes and supplier grievances.

Contract Management:

• Oversee drafting review execution and administration of contracts service level agreements (SLAs) and supplier agreements.

• Ensure contracts align with donor rules funding agreements andGWPSApolicies.

• Monitor contract performance deliverables timelines and compliance.
  

• Manage contract renewals amendments and closures.

• Maintain a comprehensive contract register and provide regular compliance reports.
• Identify and manage contractual risks including non-performance delays and compliance breaches.

Facilities & Asset Management:

• Manage GWPSA facilities including offices field locations (where applicable) utilities security cleaning and maintenance.

• Ensure facilitiescomply withhealth safety and environmental standards.

• Oversee asset management systems including asset registers safeguarding maintenance and disposal processes.
• Coordinate office setup andlogisticsforprogrammeimplementation and field activities.

• Ensure facilities support staff wellbeing safety and productivity.
• Ensure business continuity and operational resilience including contingency planning for facilities logistics and critical services.
• Oversee security and risk management for offices and field operations including supporting the implementation of the Duty of Care Travel Policy

Financial & Budget Management:

• Develop and manage operational budgets for procurement facilities and contracts.

• Support finance teams with forecasting reporting and audit preparations.
• Ensure cost efficiency and value-for-money across all operational expenditures.
• Track and analyse operational costs and identify opportunities for optimisation.
• Collaborate with Finance to align procurement and contract commitments with budget availability and cash flow planning.

Governance Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations funding agreements and NGO internal policies.

• Support internal and external audits by ensuringaccuratedocumentation and audit trails.

• Identifyoperational and compliance risks and implement mitigation measures.

• Ensure records management systems meet accountability and transparency the development and implementation of operational systems including e-procurement contract management tools monitoring dashboards and asset tracking systems.
• Ensure data-driven decision-making through accurate operational reporting and dashboards.

People & Stakeholder Management:

• Lead and supervise procurement facilities andoperationsstaff (where applicable).

• Build strong working relationships withprogrammeteams donors suppliers landlords and service providers.
• Work closely with programme managers to align operational planning with programme implementation schedules and deliverables.
• Participate in project planning and design to ensure operational feasibility and compliance from inception.
• Support the appointment and coordination of the Regional Technical Committee (RTEC) enable programme teams to deploy RTEC expertise as needed manage and continuously update the expert pool and ensure the database is accessible current and responsive to programme delivery requirements.

• Provide training and guidance to staff on procurement and operational procedures.

• Promote ethical conduct integrity and accountability across operations.
  

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience

• Minimum requirements:
  • Bachelors degree in business administration Operations Management Project Management or a related field.
  • 5-10 years experience in programme/project administration management and implementation.
  • Demonstrated experience in Procurement Corporate Operations and project coordination and reporting.
  • Diverse donor procurement and operational experience including World Bank AfDB UN and other funding partners.
  • Knowledge of transboundary water initiatives and transboundary river basin organisation.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in multi-cultural environment.
  • Prior experience of working with GWP partners at regional and country level desirable
  • Excellent English communication skills.
  
  
• Added advantage:
  • Relevant post-graduate university degree project management.
  • 10 plus years experience in programme/project administration management and implementation.
  • Demonstrated experience in operations and strategy development
  • Knowledge of transboundary water initiatives and transboundary river basin organisations.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in multi-cultural environment.
  • Prior experience of working with GWP partners at regional and country level desirable.
  • Excellent English communication skills. French speaking would be an advantage.

Skills

• Minimum requirements:
  • Ability to work across different regions and with teams from diverse cultures
  • Analytical thinking and careful attention to detail
  • Results and target oriented
  • Ability to think on ones feet and demonstrate strong decision-making capabilities
  • Ability to draft and review reports
  • Firm grasp of financial management and audit process in the public and NGO sector
  • Firm grasp of procurement processes in the Public and NGO sector
  • Firm grasp of corporate operations and recruitment
  • Firm grasp of project and contract management
    

• Added advantage:
  • Ability to manage procurement and recruitment processes
  • Ability to manage large portfolio of projects and donor/consultant contracts
  • Ability to develop company operations strategy

• • Strong operational leadership in an NGO or donor-funded environment

• • In-depth knowledge of procurement and contract management

• • Understanding of donor compliance and value-for-money principles

• • Financial and budget management skills

• • Risk management and audit readiness

• • Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
  • High integrity attention to detail and problem-solving ability

Language

• Fluency in English is required.
  

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

• Applicants must reside and have legal right to work in South Africa. No relocation allowance will be granted for this position.
• Applicants must be willing to travel as needed.

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Candidates should submit a cover letter a detailed CV and a minimum of three references in English through the online application system and not via email.
• Bamboo link: short-listed candidates will be contacted within 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.(GWPSA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion).
• Questions can be directed to
• Deadline: 05 June2026 17:00 GMT

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION

The Programme Operations Manager shall maintain confidentiality of all non-public information data and documents accessed or generated in the course of the assignment. Such information shall not be disclosed shared or used for purposes outside the scope of this role without prior written authorization from the Responsible Party and/or the Regional Project Management Unit. This obligation shall remain in effect during and after the completion of the assignment.

TAXES

A withholding tax will be deducted from the Contractors invoices at the default rate of 15% or 10% where a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is applicable for the respective country. GWPSA will provide the corresponding tax certificates and shall not be liable foranyadditionaltaxes payable to the tax authority/authorities in the Consultants country of origin.

Required Experience:

Manager