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Programme Manager (Finance) - South Africa Urban Resilience and Just Energy Programmes

  • On-site, Hybrid
    • Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
    • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
    +1 more
  • Project Positions

Job description

LEVEL OF EFFORT: FULL TIME

LOCATION: SOUTH AFRICA (Pretoria or Johannesburg)

DURATION: ASAP – AUGUST 2027 (WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION)

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The Urban Resilience Programme (URP) and Just Energy Transition Programme (JETP) are FCDO’s flagship programmes in South Africa to deliver inclusive, sustainable and climate resilient – economic development in cities.  Over the period of three years (August 2024 – July 2027) the programmes will build local government capability for long-term infrastructure planning, finance mobilisation and sustainable project delivery, and secure public and private investment to drive catalytic economic development. URP was designed to establish project-based support for improved urban management and governance, township economic development and resilient infrastructure, and JETP was established to leverage $9.3bn pledged by donors in support of South Africa’s transition from coal to clean energy.  

Whilst URP and JETP have similar objectives and vision, they sit as two independent programmes with separate FCDO counterparts and reporting channels.

ABOUT THE ROLE

ASI South Africa is recruiting for a Programme Manager with a strong focus on financial management to support the URP and JETP team. The full-time role will be based in Pretoria or Johannesburg, with potential for travel in South Africa. The Programme Manager will be responsible for overseeing financial planning, budgeting and reporting across URP and JETP, and for ensuring financial compliance in programme operations.

The role will primarily be responsible for the following:

  1. Financial Management & Oversight

  • Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for the programmes.

  • Ensure compliance with client financial regulations and company financial policies.

  • Manage financial transactions, invoicing, and fund disbursement in coordination with the ASI Finance Team.

  • Monitor financial risks, track expenditures, and ensure cost efficiency.

  • Support financial audits and client compliance reporting.

2. Programme Operations & Delivery

  • Oversee day-to-day operational, financial, and administrative processes.

  • Support Senior Manager to develop and manage work plans, ensuring alignment with programme objectives.

  • Ensure activities comply with company and client policies, internal targets, and client contracts.

  • Support preparation of quarterly reports, financial analysis, and quality assurance of deliverables.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

  • Foster strong working relationships with local partners, the client and programme stakeholders.

  • Coordinate with technical teams, finance teams, and senior leadership to ensure smooth programme implementation.

  • Represent the programme in internal and external meetings related to financial and operational management.

The role will also be intermittently involved in:

  • Identifying, recruiting and contracting technical consultants.

  • Contributing to programme communications outputs.

  • Risk management and finding solutions to complex issues.

  • Capturing and disseminating lessons learned.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

  • ASI staff, particularly the Project Director, Senior Manager, Assistant Manager and Analyst.

  • URP and JETP programme teams, particularly the Team Leader, URP Lead, JETP Lead and other alliance contact persons.

Job requirements

Key skills and Experience  

  • Undergraduate or Master’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, public financial management, international development or a related field.

  • At least 3-5 years of experience in financial management within donor-funded programmes, ideally in South Africa.

  • Experience in managing large, complex budgets and ensuring financial compliance in line with donor requirements.

  • Proven ability to analyse financial data, manage risks, and ensure financial accountability.

  • Demonstrated experience of using initiative, client-orientation, risk taking, and working in complex and time-pressured contexts.

  • Enthusiasm, flexibility and a strong attention to detail.

  • Excellent communication, inter-personal, and team-working skills.

  • Strong grasp of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and financial software.

  • Outstanding written and spoken English.

  • Eligible to work in South Africa.

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