Senior Manager, Program Manager

Location : UK preferred, remote in Europe will be considered
6 January 2025

The Senior Programme Manager (Senior PM) is responsible for supervising and supporting the successful implementation of The MENTOR Initiative’s (MENTOR) programmes. The Senior PM plays a critical role in establishing and refining MEAL processes and providing technical guidance to ensure high-quality programmatic outcomes across various countries and projects.

Leadership, team building, and administration

Manage PMs, ensuring alignment with MENTOR’s goals and promoting effective field-based implementation of activities.
Provide guidance to PMs on establishing operational structures that support successful implementation in challenging environments.

Conduct regular one-on-one coaching sessions with PMs to address challenges in implementation and build technical skills.
Support the professional development of PMs and field staff through performance feedback, customised training and skills-building initiatives.

Strengthen field teams:
Organise regular team meetings and capacity-building workshops to foster collaboration, discuss lessons learned and address operational or technical issues.
Performance management and build cohesion:
Oversee performance evaluations for all PMs.
Identify high-performing PMs and field teams promoting knowledge sharing and championing possibilities for career development.
Manage administrative tasks related to the overall PM Management

Review with PMs the detailed, actionable plans for field-based activities, defining timelines, resources and performance targets.
Ensure each project has an implementation plan that reflects organisational priorities and donor requirements.

Oversee activity implementation:
Conduct joint routine reviews of programmes with PM/GM and to monitor programme activities, ensure quality standards are met and support PMs with hands-on guidance.
Review and adjust project schedules and methodologies with PMs to ensure alignment with strategic goals and field realities, working with the Senior GM, and wider GM team, where needed to review budgets.

Establish a M&E framework for ongoing monitoring of programme activities, setting measurable indicators.
Identify and address implementation challenges
Maintain a log of common implementation challenges across countries, using these insights as an internal learning tool to be shared with wider MENTOR teams.

Develop standardised MEAL protocols and tools, in coordination with PMs, to monitor the quality and impact of field activities.
Support incremental improvements in MEAL processes, ensuring accurate data collection, analysis and reporting.

Offer guidance to PMs on technical aspects of programme implementation reviewing tools, workplans, technical guidance and SOPs.
Establish data collection standards:
Develop and oversee standardised data collection processes to ensure reliable monitoring of programme outcomes.
Work closely with PMs to ensure data collection tools are accurate, user-friendly and field-adaptable.

Analyse and apply data to improve implementation:
Regularly analyse field data to track performance and identify trends, using findings to help PMs guide programme adjustments.
Share data insights with PMs and field teams, encouraging the integration of data-driven insights into daily operations.

Prepare and present field impact reports in collaboration with PM/PO:
Compile high quality reports, rooted in programmatic data, summarising the impact of field activities, using data to highlight successes and areas for improvement.
Use visual aids (graphs, charts, maps) to improve the clarity of field reports and engage stakeholders with compelling evidence of impact.

Governance, risk management and compliance

Identify field-based risks:
Conduct routine risk assessments for programme sites in collaboration with the Senior GM and country teams, identifying operational, safety and compliance risks.
~ Update risk profiles regularly to account for emerging risks or changes in project dynamics.


Ensure the Development and implementation of risk mitigation plans by PMs, including contingency planning, and compliance checks, identifying operational and technical risks arising from programme implementation.
~ Coordinate with the Senior GM to escalate high-risk issues, ensuring rapid response and mitigation.


Train country teams on donor and organisational compliance standards, emphasising the importance of adherence to MENTOR and donor policies.
~ Develop SOPs and checklists to support PMs in maintaining compliance and integrating best practice in programme implementation.


Security management
Programme designs and implementation requirements take full account of security considerations and requirements as are known at the time.
In the event of a security incident, travel, liaise or make other arrangements that may be required by the Head of Security or programme managers to respond effectively to the incident.
Serve on the Crisis Management Team in the event of a security crisis.

Represent the organisation in the field:
Ensure field activities are visible to relevant stakeholders, fostering transparency and support for ongoing initiatives.

Oversee the preparation and submission of donor reports, ensuring submission is done on time, that reports meet high quality standards and donor requirements and highlight field achievements, challenges and lessons learned.

Identify, with PMs and GMs, new opportunities identifying programmatic gaps, innovative approaches and new geographies for MENTOR implementation.
Support PMs in the development of new Concept Notes or project proposals providing critical review prior submission.

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in public health, International Development, or a related field.

Experience : Minimum of five to seven years in a programme management role, with experience overseeing field-based programmatic implementation and strong MEAL background/experience.

Strong leadership and team-building abilities with a background in managing field-based teams.
Expertise in M&E development, data-driven decision-making and using data to refine field activities.
Risk management experience, with the ability to conduct field-based assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
Proficiency in analysing data, preparing reports and making data-driven adjustments to strategies.
Fluent or proficient written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in a second language (French, Portuguese or Spanish) is an added advantage.
The MENTOR Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at its company. The MENTOR Initiative is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the organisation, so we strongly encourage candidates from under-represented group to apply.
The MENTOR Initiative applies a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, mistreatment or harassment, and other types of unethical behaviour including fraud.
The MENTOR Initiative will not sponsor any visa requests for this role.