Program Associate

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Program Associate (PA) will lead Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) initiative under Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) specifically focusing on enhancing women's access to markets.

The Program Associate (PA) will play a crucial role in supporting the Program Manager and broader team in achieving program objectives, contributing to technical assistance, data management, and stakeholder coordination.

Key Job Responsibilities:

A. Program Support & Implementation (45%):

(1) Provide comprehensive operational and technical support to the Program Manager and program team in the planning and implementation of WEE market access initiatives;

(2) Assist in the development of detailed work plans, activity schedules, and budgets, ensuring alignment with program objectives and donor requirements;

(3) Coordinate logistics for program activities, workshops, trainings, and meetings, both virtually and in-person;

(4) Support the drafting and review of program documents, including proposals, reports, concept notes, and communication material;

(5) Assist in identifying and onboarding consultants and partners and support their administrative needs.

B. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (25%):

(1) Contribute to the collection, analysis, and management of program data for monitoring, evaluation, and learning purposes;

(2) Assist in tracking program indicators and targets, maintaining accurate records, and preparing regular progress updates;

(3) Support the development and refinement of data collection tools and methodologies;

(4) Help document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories from program implementation.

C. Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement Support (15%):

(1) Assist in maintaining effective communication and coordination with key stakeholders, including women's groups, local partners, government representatives, and other development actors;

(2) Support the organization of stakeholder meetings and events, preparing agendas and minutes;

(3) Help identify potential new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration.

D. Research & Knowledge Management (10%):

(1) Conduct desk research on global best practices, innovative approaches, and emerging trends in WEE, market access, and related fields;

(2) Support the development and dissemination of knowledge products, case studies, and policy briefs;

(3) Maintain organized program files and documentation, ensuring easy accessibility for the team.

E. Administrative & Financial Support (5%):

(1) Process program-related invoices, expense reports, and financial documents in coordination with the finance team;

(2) Provide general administrative support to the program team as needed.

5. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification:

Applicants must have a postgraduate degree in International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.

Experience:

(1) A minimum of 4-6 yearsof progressive professional experience in program support or program coordination within the international development sector, with exposure to women's economic empowerment and/or market systems development.

(2) Familiarity with market access interventions, value chain analysis, business development, or financial inclusion is highly desirable.

(3) Demonstrated experience in supporting project implementation, including budget monitoring and compliance.

Skills and Competencies:

(1) Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines;

(2) Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to program geographies is a strong asset.

(3) Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with data management tools.

(4) Ability to travel internationally as required (approximately 15-20%).

(5) Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision.

(6) Strong collaborative spirit and ability to work effectively within a diverse team.

(7) Ability to analyse information and contribute to problem-solving.

(8) Flexibility to adjust to changing priorities and work environments.

(9) A genuine interest in empowering women and promoting equitable economic opportunities.

(10) Ability to work respectfully and effectively across different cultural contexts.