Program Manager - Margate, KwaZulu-Natal - Siyakwazi

Description

Programmes Manager - Siyakwazi

Siyakwazi is a dynamic nonprofit organisation based in KwaNzimakwe, KwaZulu-Natal. Siyakwazi runs a number of programmes dedicated to promoting inclusive education and supporting children with disabilities and developmental delays. We believe in enabling all children, regardless of ability, to participate meaningfully in their communities and to access quality support in homes, ECD centres, schools, and clinics. 

Siyakwazi is currently seeking a
Programmes Manager,

who will work closely with the Executive Director, and play a key role in the work for the organisation as whole.  This is a full-time, on-site position, based at Siyakwazi's Resource Centre, on the South Coast of KZN, near Port Edward. 

Siyakwazi is a grassroots organisation which was started in 2011, and has grown to a staff of 31. The position of Programmes Manager

is a new position. This person will work closely with the Executive Director as well as the five existing managers, to lead the implementation of all programmes and ensure quality of implementation at every level. 

Team management and capacity building are at the core of this role, and the ideal candidate will have deep experience here, and also, importantly, enjoy this aspect of their work.  You will provide leadership, mentorship, and support to programme staff, fieldworkers, and interns. The programmes Manager will also facilitate team reflection, training, and ongoing skills development. This is a job for a person who loves being in the field and interacting with people - on a daily basis you will be working with staff, fieldworkers, interns, families, and collaborating with local schools and clinics. A deep understanding of inclusion is also necessary for this role, so as to be able to ensure that inclusion is embedded at every level of service delivery, as well as ensuring that all programme activities are child-centred. 

Siyakwazi is currently scaling its programmes and training staff from other organisations to do inclusion work. Part of the role of the Programmes Manager will be curriculum development, training and facilitation. Someone with a background, or strong interest in, curriculum development, training and/or facilitation would be ideal for this role.

It is essential that the person in the role of Programmes Manager is an independent worker who is able to handle a complex workload without frequent oversight. As such, excellent time-management, organisational and coordination skills are extremely important for this role, and this person needs to be extremely reliable and accountable.

The ideal candidate for this role may have a background in therapy (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, or speech & language therapy) although this is not required, and people with other backgrounds might be well suited to this role. 

Managing project implementation is key to this role, and the person will be tasked with ensuring effective use of organisational resources (financial, material, and human). Another aspect of this role will be collaborating with the Executive Director on planning, budgeting and strategy. The Programmes Manager will also have regular responsibilities associated with monitoring and evaluation of programmes, and donor reporting. 

This is a full-time in-person position. This position is ideal for someone who lives on, or is willing to relocate to, the beautiful KZN South Coast. This position is
not

available remotely or partially remotely. This is an opportunity to be part of a passionate, values-driven organisation that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. For the right person, there are opportunities for growth within the organisation, and we hope to find someone who will be on the team long term. 

Core Responsibilities of the Role:

• Manage programme implementation and ensure quality of programmes.
• Ensure all programme activities are child-centred, inclusive, and aligned with the rights of children with disabilities.
• Develop and manage detailed implementation plans.
• Ensure effective use of organisational resources (financial, material, and human).
• Provide management, leadership, mentorship, and support to programme staff, fieldworkers, and interns.
• Facilitate team reflection, training, and ongoing skills development with a focus on inclusion, disability rights, early childhood education and family engagement.
• Promote a positive, collaborative working culture as well as a culture of reflective practice and continuous learning within the team
• Build strong relationships with families, schools, clinics, community leaders, government departments (Health, Education and Social development), and other NGOs.
• Curriculum development, training, and facilitation.
• Represent Siyakwazi in relevant forums and advocate for inclusive practices and policies.
• Ensure all necessary monitoring and evaluation data is collected and is available.

Other Responsibilities of the Role:

• Work alongside the Executive Director to ensure community voices inform programme design.
• Contribute to strategic planning and organisational growth, including scaling or replicating effective programme models.
• Contribute to budgeting and financial planning.
• Contribute to impact analysis and evaluation activities.
• Contribute to proposal development, grant applications, and donor reporting.
• Donor relations, donor meetings, and nurturing relationships with present and potential funders.
• Support income-generation and sustainability strategies in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Qualifications, Experience & Proficiencies

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Education, Public Health, Disability Studies, Therapy, Development Studies, or a related field (required)
• Relevant Master's degree (preferred)
• Strong understanding of inclusive education, early childhood development, and community-based disability support (required)
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in managing programmes (required), preferably in the disability, education, or community development sectors
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, stakeholder engagement, and working in rural or under-resourced communities.
• Knowledge and understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks (preferred)
• Budgeting knowledge and experience (preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and programme management tools (required)
• Proficiency in both English and Zulu (required) other African Languages advantageous
• Drivers license (required)

Remuneration:

R R35 000 CTC per month, depending on skills, qualifications, and experience

To apply:

Please send the following to

• Your CV (
  max 4 pages

) in
PDF format
- A one-page

cover letter (explaining why you are interested in working at Siyakwazi specifically, and how your skills are relevant to job description) in
PDF format
- Please
do not

send any additional documents or certificates at this stage.
- In the subject line of your email, please write
"Application: Programmes Manager 2025_[
Insert Your Name
]"

PLEASE APPLY VIA EMAIL AND NOT VIA LINKEDIN

Application deadline: 17 October 2025

. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If you do not hear back from us by
31 October 2025

, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. 

Please do not call our offices.

If you have
questions

, please ask them via email, please put the word "question" and the name of the position "programmes manager" in the title of your email to ensure it gets responded to timeously.