Program Manager-Women Economic Empowerment

Summary
Arthan is seeking an experienced and passionate Program Manager to lead Women Economic Empowerment Program, specifically focusing on enhancing women's access to markets. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years of progressive experience in program management, gender equality, economic development, and market systems. This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record of designing, implementing, and overseeing complex programs that drive tangible results in empowering women entrepreneurs and producers to effectively engage with and benefit from various market opportunities.

The Program Manager will be responsible for providing technical leadership, managing project cycles, fostering partnerships, and ensuring the successful delivery of program objectives aligned with the mission to create equitable economic opportunities for women.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy (30%)

• Lead the strategic planning, design, and development of innovative programs focused on improving women's access to local, regional, and international markets.

• Develop and refine program theories of change, logical frameworks, and implementation plans that are gender-transformative and market-driven.

• Stay abreast of global best practices, research, and trends, market access, and value chain development, integrating relevant innovations into program design.

Program Management & Implementation (40%)

• Oversee the day-to-day management of market access programs, ensuring timely and high-quality implementation against project work plans and budgets.

• Manage project teams, including staff and consultants, providing leadership, mentorship, and performance management.

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and local regulations.

• Identify and mitigate program risks, developing contingency plans as needed.

• Integrate monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks into all program phases, ensuring data-driven decision-making and adaptive management.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement (15%)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including women's groups, government agencies, private sector entities, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and international development partners.

• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships and collaborations that can leverage resources and amplify program impact.

• Represent the organization in relevant forums, workshops, and conferences, advocating for the program and market access issues.

Capacity Building & Technical Assistance (10%)

• Provide technical guidance and capacity building to program staff, partners, and beneficiaries on topics related to market analysis, business development, value chain integration, financial literacy, and gender-inclusive market strategies.

• Develop and disseminate knowledge products, tools, and resources to support program implementation and broader learning.

Reporting & Communication (5%)

• Prepare comprehensive program reports for internal and external stakeholders, including donors, board members, and partners.

• Ensure effective communication of program progress, challenges, and successes through various channels.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.

• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive professional experience in program management within the international development sector, with a strong focus on women's economic empowerment and market systems development.

• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing market access interventions for women, including value chain analysis, business linkages, access to finance, and trade facilitation.

• Proven experience managing large-scale, complex programs, including financial management, team leadership, and donor compliance.

• Strong understanding of gender analysis and gender-transformative approaches in economic development.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence diverse stakeholders.

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to program geographies is a strong asset.

• Ability to travel internationally as required (approximately 25-35%).

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Strategic Vision: Ability to think strategically and translate vision into actionable plans.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges.

• Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in dynamic and fast-paced environments.

• Results-Oriented: A strong commitment to achieving measurable results and impact.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively in diverse cultural contexts.

• Innovation: A passion for exploring new ideas and approaches to achieve impact.