Programme Manager (Governance in MSME's)

Programme overview

Programme design and delivery

• Design, execute, and continuously improve the programme and its strategy, aligning it with organizational goals and emerging MSME needs.
• Develop content and deliverables with subject matter experts, consultants, and partners; identify synergies with other initiatives.
• Manage needs-based collaborative projects and flagship research, education, capacity-building, and convening initiatives through timely, high-quality delivery.
• Set project scopes, plans, roles, tracking, and reporting; manage budgets, resources, delivery teams, third parties, performance, and risks.
• Communicate project progress, challenges, and results to clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.

Business development and engagement

• Develop market engagement, business development, funding, partnership, and revenue strategies; manage an annual market engagement calendar.
• Develop funding proposals, negotiate agreements and partnership contracts, and work toward programme financial sustainability.
• Organize workshops, convenings, online forums, and networking events; represent the organization and build partner relationships.
• Co-create programme communications, including priority social media channels and email campaigns.

Research and impact

• Research market needs, pain points, trends, and disruptions; translate findings into actionable programme initiatives and convene the working group.
• Produce bilingual articles, op-eds, reports, white papers, and other thought-leadership content; build online presence and relationships with industry influencers.
• Define impact metrics and engagement KPIs; develop and analyze surveys, assess programme baselines, and report findings.
• Recommend programme improvements and prepare programme-specific annual-report content.

Team leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop programme team members through regular feedback, career-development guidance, and training opportunities.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative environment that supports creativity, learning, and cross-team effectiveness.

Qualifications and experience

• Relevant master’s degree, such as Business Administration or a related discipline, with proven expertise and strong analytical skills.
• At least seven years of relevant experience managing, coordinating, and executing programmes in an academic institution, think tank, research center, member-based network or council, or nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading business development, revenue generation, and/or fundraising.
• Ability to deliver programmes independently and manage relationships with senior market stakeholders, partners, and vendors.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Preferred expertise

• MSME, entrepreneurial venture, or start-up experience and knowledge of governance and impact frameworks, regulatory compliance, and sustainability practices are highly desirable.
• Research, impact analysis, impact-driven programme development, and curriculum-design expertise are highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills and published writing are highly desirable.
• Additional certifications in project management, corporate governance, impact measurement, or SME operations are highly desirable.

Professional development