Reports to: Regional Director, ESA

Location: Remote within ESA Region

Travel: Up to 40% - regional travel for project oversight, partner engagement, and field implementation support

Salary Scale Level: 9

About the Role:

The Programs Senior Manager serves as the primary lead for program implementation across the ESA Hub, overseeing a diverse portfolio of donor-funded projects across multiple thematic areas including Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Response, Urban Development, Conflict and Displacement, and emerging strategic priorities. This role ensures effective resource allocation across program activities, delivering projects primarily through implementation partners while maintaining rigorous standards for quality, compliance, and impact. As the regional focal point for HOT's entire Tech Suite—including fAIr, Tasking Manager, Field Mapping Tool, and other mapping technologies—this position champions the adoption and evolution of HOT's technology products and services across the region.

Reporting to the Regional Director, this role leads a team of mapping supervisors and technical staff while working closely with the global Portfolio and Programs function, Partnerships & Fundraising team, and Tech & Data teams to deliver scalable, high-impact programs that advance open mapping in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Essential Functions:

• Lead field project implementation and partner management (40%)
  • Oversee end-to-end implementation of ESA Hub's portfolio of donor-funded projects across HOT's programmatic areas including Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Response, Urban Development, Conflict and Displacement, and emerging strategic priorities
  • Manage budgets ensuring proper allocation, monitoring, and accountability across all program activities
  • Manage relationships with implementation partners, providing technical guidance, quality assurance, and capacity building support
  • Monitor project progress, risks, and budget expenditures across multiple budget lines; develop mitigation strategies and escalate issues as needed
  • Ensure timely and high-quality donor reporting, documentation, and accountability across all project phases in compliance with organizational policies
  • Coordinate with Leadership and Portfolio teams to align project implementation with strategic priorities and donor commitments
  • Foster strong working relationships with local partners, communities, and stakeholders to ensure locally-led implementation
  • Work with Portfolio and Programs function to ensure regional alignment with global program standards and reporting frameworks
• Serve as ESA focal point for HOT technology products and services (25%)
  • Champion the adoption and use of HOT Tech Suite tools (fAIr, Tasking Manager, Export Tool, Field Mapping Tool, etc.) across ESA projects and partners
  • Oversee tech-related program budgets for ESA ensuring efficient resource allocation and impact
  • Lead the evolution and user uptake of mapping products and services, including transitioning from static to interactive, participatory mapping products leveraging emerging technologies (AI/ML)
  • Coordinate with global Tech & Data team to provide feedback, identify regional needs, and contribute to product development priorities
  • Provide technical training and support to partners and communities on HOT tools and mapping methodologies
  • Oversee tech tools maintenance and ensure regional technology infrastructure supports program delivery
  • Document use cases, lessons learned, and best practices for technology implementation in the region
  • Explore opportunities for tech-enabled consultancy services and marketable products that support hub sustainability
• Develop scalable programs and contribute to regional strategy (15%)
  • Work with Hub Leadership Team to design and implement regional programs across key thematic areas (Learn and Connect, Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Response, Urban Development, Conflict and Displacement) that deliver scale, impact, and mission alignment
  • Manage development of scalable, impactful programs that demonstrate ROI and are marketable for future funding and investments
  • Lead special initiatives such as "Beyond the Map," "Open Data Talks," and other knowledge-sharing platforms
  • Generate public evidence of ESA's work through documented case studies, blogs, technical papers, and presentations that showcase impact across programmatic areas
  • Support the Partnerships & Fundraising team in developing a regional products and services portfolio that can be marketed as consultancy services (inclusive of technical training, product development, analytics)
  • Identify and pursue opportunities within emerging/strategic priorities that position ESA Hub at the forefront of innovation in open mapping
  • Contribute technical expertise to proposal development and funding initiatives on a needs basis
• Team leadership and management (15%)
  • Manage, mentor, and coach direct reports of up to 5 staff and/or contractors including Senior Mapping Supervisors (Projects, Data) and GIS/Data/Technology
  • Develop and monitor annual, quarterly, and individual work plans for team members, creating visibility on team priorities and workload across the organization
  • Prepare and manage team budgets for submission and approval, ensuring alignment with hub strategic priorities
  • Review and update job descriptions for direct reports in collaboration with Regional Director to ensure alignment with hub strategy
  • Ensure high team performance, quality work, and professional development opportunities
  • Foster collaborative working relationships within the team and across departments, modeling healthy intra and interdepartmental working relationships
  • Delegate tasks effectively and ensure proper workload distribution across the team
• Organizational leadership and cross-functional collaboration (5%)
  • Represent ESA Hub programs and strategic priorities in Senior Management Team meetings and organizational planning processes
  • Work closely with Partnerships & Fundraising lead to contribute technical input to proposals, define regional products and services, and support funding initiatives
  • Collaborate with Communications team and Regional Director to represent ESA Hub's programmatic impact to external stakeholders including governments, donors, CSO/NGO partners, and communities
  • Coordinate with Portfolio and Programs function to ensure alignment with global program standards, reporting frameworks, and organizational priorities
  • Ensure clear documentation standards to enable monitoring, evaluation, and learning across programs in support of organizational knowledge management
  • Work with Admin and Management to ensure high level of integrity in reporting, documentation, and financial accountability in compliance with organizational policies
  • Enable a safe and protective environment adhering to Zero Discrimination and Gender Equality commitments
  • Contribute to organizational strategy development and implementation

Requirements:

• Minimum 8 years professional experience in program management within the humanitarian, international development, or civil society sector
• At least 4 years in a senior program management or technical leadership role, with proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects across multiple thematic areas
• Strong technical background in geospatial technologies, open mapping, OpenStreetMap, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience managing program portfolios and budgets across multiple funding streams and project types
• Proven ability to deliver programs that demonstrate return on investment and are scalable for future funding
• Demonstrated experience managing implementation partnerships and building capacity of local partners
• Proven track record of successful project delivery including budget management, compliance, donor reporting, and financial accountability
• Experience with HOT technology tools (Tasking Manager, HOT Export Tool, fAIr) or similar open mapping platforms preferred
• 3+ years of experience leading and developing teams to achieve results
• Excellent program management skills with keen eye for detail in documentation, reporting, and budget monitoring
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities with ability to see big picture while ensuring quality execution
• Highly organized with proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to translate technical concepts for diverse audiences including communities, partners, and donors
• Experience designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Broad cultural competency and experience working across countries within Eastern and Southern Africa
• Ability to travel regionally up to 40% for project oversight and partner engagement
• Sense of humor, demonstrated empathy, and compassion
• Fluency in written and spoken English
  

Preferred:

• • Experience with AI/ML applications in mapping or geospatial analysis
  • Familiarity with humanitarian response mechanisms and localization approaches
  • Experience across multiple programmatic areas (disaster risk reduction, urban development, conflict settings)
  • Experience developing training curricula and delivering technical capacity building
  • Knowledge of open source principles and community-driven development models
  • Experience working with institutional donors (USAID, FCDO, EU, UN agencies, foundations)
  • Track record in developing innovative, scalable program models and marketable products/services
  • Experience with portfolio management and strategic resource allocation
  • Fluency in French, Swahili, Portuguese, or other relevant regional languages

Application Closing date: 26th December, 2025
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

This position may close before the stated deadline if we receive large volume of qualified applications (approximately 250 applications). Early submission is recommended.