We are hiring: Technical Project Manager

We're seeking to appoint a Technical Project Manager for the Operation Tharollo Literacy and Numeracy Programme (FLOAT).

Location: Free State Department of Education (FSDOE)

Contract Type: Fixed-term (3 years, renewable annually based on performance and aligned with Float funding)

Reports to: Director: Primary Schools Curriculum (or Chief Director?)

Background:

Operation Tharollo is a flagship initiative of the Free State Department of Education’s (FSDOE) Reading Strategy, designed to improve foundational literacy outcomes across the province. Operation Tharollo will implement a reading and numeracy programme and in partnership with the Float Collaboration, support 458 quintile 1-3 primary schools (Sesotho and Afrikaans medium schools).

Purpose of the Role:

An experienced programme manager is required to ensure the effective operational management of the Operation Tharollo programme. Key to this role will be coordinating implementation across the Free State Department of Education, supporting and working closely with service providers, and stakeholders to implement foundational literacy interventions on time, within scope, and within budget.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Programme design leadership:
· Develop a detailed management plan for the implementation of Operation Tharollo over a five-year period in line with the agreed business plan.
· Develop a coherent plan, and oversee the embedding of the programme in the province, including skills transfer to the relevant provincial and district officials, and alignment with FSDoEs existing processes.
· Lead the review and revisions that will be done by implementing partners to CAPS-aligned quarterly lesson plans and training content in Sesotho and Afrikaans, ensuring they integrate the DBE workbooks and a minimum set of classroom materials, while incorporating best practices to produce an updated and improved set of resources.

2. Programme Coordination:
· Oversee and support the day-to-day operations of Operation Tharollo.
· Ensure alignment and integration between provincial plans, budgets, expenditure, and reporting on the programme.
· Ensure alignment and integration of activities implemented by service providers.Develop, maintain and drive the master implementation schedule and track milestones.

3. Internal Coordination:
· Driving internal FSDOE coordination on literacy sustainability (or integration/planning) for the department post the Float Collaboration funding.
· This includes: convening meetings, ensuring timely preparation and approval of all necessary submissions, progress reports and briefings to the various branches/directorates.

4. Stakeholder Management:
· Serve as primary liaison between the FSDOE, the Programme Management Office (JET Education Services), Float funders, service providers and implementing partners.
· Organise and support regular meetings to ensure effective programme implementation and oversight e.g. the technical team, steering committee (Float Chamber), reference groups etc.
· Ensure collaboration of all directorates and sub-directorates required to successfully implement and embed Operation Tharollo in the province.
· Provide monthly progress updates to internal and external stakeholders. This includes the FSDoE executive, relevant directorates and funders

5. Logistics and delivery:
· Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timely collection of data related to training attendance, material printing and distribution, and school coverage, to support effective implementation, reporting, and decision-making.
· Working with relevant service providers, manage logistical aspects such as training venues, material distribution, and assessment timelines.
· Ensure compliance with procurement and reporting processes of the FSDOE and funders.
· Oversee development and execution of risk mitigation strategies.

6. Quality assurance and capacity building:
· Establish appropriate reference groups to work with subject advisors, service providers and relevant FSDoE staff to quality-assure materials and programme delivery.
· Oversee all train the trainer sessions with subject planner, subject advisors and service providers each term which will be implemented by the implementing partner.
· Oversee additional capacity-building workshops with subject planner, subject advisors and relevant school management teams which will be implemented by the implementing partner.

7. Monitoring and reporting:
· Support the collection and synthesis of monitoring data to inform programme improvements.
· Develop quarterly and annual reports for funders and the department.
· Ensure alignment with relevant Annual programme plans (APP) targets and DBE priorities.
· Collaborate with external researchers and evaluators on learning studies or baseline to endline reviews.
· Report on a quarterly basis on progress made and share quarterly plans/targets.

Qualifications and experience:
· Bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Administration, or related field.
· Minimum 10 years of experience in project management, preferably in large-scale education programmes.
· Experience working with provincial departments or public sector systems.
· Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
· Proficient in MS Office, project planning tools, and report writing

· Salary: R680 196.00 – R1 000 000.00 CTC per annum.
· Applicants must have a South African ID or a valid work permit.
· All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to independent relevant reference checks.
· We encourage previously disadvantaged people to apply.
· Preferably the applicants should be from Free State and if not from Free State, they must be familiar with the Free State province and hey must be willing to relocate to Free State for the duration of the contract. The organisation does not pay for relocation cost.
· The applicant must be able to start 1 November 2025.

Applications must be done online via this form. The closing date has been extended to 26 October 2025, 23h00. Late applications will not be considered.