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Senior Program Manager - Latin America/ Caribbean Region

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.  
Program Overview
The TechnoServe Latin America & Caribbean Division (TNS LAC) has long-term country programs in 11 countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Panama) and a diversified portfolio of more than 20 projects across various agricultural value chains and to support small and medium enterprise development. It is perhaps the most innovative and future-oriented operating division in TechnoServe, spanning countries that range from OECD member Chile to more challenging operating contexts for TechnoServe in Central America.
Position Description:
The Senior Program Manager will support the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) Division to achieve regional and corporate goals by providing program management oversight to a portfolio of programs across the region, operational support and region-level financial and administrative management.
Program Management Oversight:
  • Provide direct implementation support for LAC programs; contribute to innovation in the programs’ execution, acting as implementation partner
  • Develop and reinforce frameworks for efficient, high-impact program management practices
  • Manage the regional division’s support of TNS program quality objectives
  • Serve as a lead for program technical audits and other donor inquiries related to programmatic results 
  • Manage US-based donor relationships for strategic projects by facilitating communication regarding program implementation and identifying opportunities and synergies to replicate best programmatic practices
  • Support projects with management of large sub-recipients
  • Negotiate, develop and execute donor agreements and modifications in collaboration with field teams, as needed
  • Oversee mobilization of new programs and proper closeout of ending programs as needed
  • Ensure timely delivery and analysis of monthly programmatic spending reports (including variance analyses) for the monthly spending reviews with CFO and CPO
  • Assess and develop opportunities for field staff development, and capacity- building and community-building
  • Serve as promoter in the implementation of the LAC Gender Action Plan
  • Promote active collaboration of Gender Champions at the country, regional, and corporate level, and facilitate the collection and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices related to gender integration
Region-Level Operations and M&E
  • In coordination with the Vice President for the LAC Region (LAC VP), monitor country teams in the development and execution of annual budgets and midterm budget reviews
  • With the LAC VP, develop and manage LAC Division annual budget, including direct bill
  • Support the LAC VP in development of regional annual strategic planning
  • Manage assignments of selected consultants and fellows, providing feedback on deliverables and work planning as needed
  • Act as interim program manager, or interim Country Director, when required
  • Lead or oversee the operational start-up of new geographies
  • Jointly with the TNS Director of Impact, define priorities and coordinate work-plan of LAC regional M&E manager 
Human Resources/Office Management 
  • Support the recruitment and onboarding of new program managers, country directors, divisional staff and senior field staff on TechnoServe policies, procedures, structures and tools;
  • In coordination with the LAC HR Business Partner (HRBP), oversee recruitment process for key staff positions, and contribute to timely and effective recruitment of staff, consultants, volunteers and interns by developing Scopes of Work (SOWs), vetting CVs, interviewing and checking references
  • Facilitate staff and client training on program management, advising businesses competently and collaboratively, financial literacy and gender, as demanded
 Knowledge Management and Communications
  • Organize and facilitate internal meetings and workshops, including regular regional-level meetings of LAC country, program and sectorial leadership
  • Serve as the key liaison between LAC and Home Office, representing LAC perspectives on policy issues and relevant strategy exercises
New Business Development 
  • In coordination with LAC Director of Program Development, Proposal Managers and the Grants and Contracts Department, lead the process of developing cost proposals to be submitted to donors in the region and negotiating final award budgets as needed.
  • Provide occasional support to other aspects of the new business development process, which can include proposal management, writing and research, key personnel recruitment, or other forms of support, as needed
  • Support the development of market analyses and donor scans, as required
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in international relations, economics, business or other relevant subject 
  • Minimum of 7 years of work experience in international development in Latin America/Caribbean or Master’s degree with 5 years’ experience
  • Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet
Required Languages:  English & Spanish fluency, written and verbal, the Portuguese knowledge desired but not required
Travel: Up to 15% International Travel 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Detail orientation, including strong organizational, analytical, and quantitative skills
  • Ability to anticipate demand, manage multiple tasks/ projects and meet tight deadlines
  • Proven team player with strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills
Supervisor Responsibilities: 1 Analyst LAC Region
Application Instructions: All applications should be in English and include a Cover Letter. Your application will be disqualified if it does not. 
We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.
With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.
We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.
If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515.