We are hiring: Technical Project Manager

We're seeking to appoint a Technical Project Manager for the Mabafunde Bonke Literacy Programme (FLOAT).

Location: Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE)
Contract Type: Fixed-term (3 years, aligned with Float funding)
Reports to: Chief Director: Curriculum management

Background:

Mabafunde Bonke is a flagship initiative of the Eastern Cape Department of Education’s (ECDOE) Reading Strategy, designed to improve foundational literacy outcomes across the province. It will be implemented over five years with support from the Float Collaboration initiative. The programme targets 1,638 foundation phase schools in four districts: Alfred Nzo East, Alfred Nzo West, OR Tambo Inland, and OR Tambo Coastal. The Float Collaboration funding will be for 3 years (2026-2028).

The programme intends to strengthen the teaching of reading in isiXhosa and Sesotho by providing teachers in Grades R–3 with a structured package of home-language learner and teacher support materials, including detailed lesson plans, and termly training aligned to classroom practice.

Purpose of the Role:

An experienced programme manager is required to ensure the effective operational management of the Mabafunde Bonke programme. The successful, candidate will coordinate all workstreams across the Eastern Cape Department of Education, 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 Mabafunde Bonke over the five-year period in line with the agreed business plan.
  • Develop a plan, and oversee the embedding of the programme in the province, including skills transfer to the relevant provincial and district officials, and alignment with ECDoE existing processes and plans.
  • Lead the review the revisions that will be done by implementing partners, to CAPS-aligned quarterly lesson plans and training content in Sesotho and isiXhosa, 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.
  • Ensure that the training of teaching assistants, managed by the ECDoE, aligns with teacher training and Mabafunde Bonke objectives.

2. Programme Coordination:

  • Oversee and support the day-to-day operations of Mabafunde Bonke programme.
  • 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 ECDoE 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 ECDOE, 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 Mabafunde Bonke in the province.
  • Provide monthly progress updates to internal and external stakeholders. This includes the ECDoE 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, TA deployment, and assessment timelines.
  • Ensure compliance with procurement and reporting processes of the ECDOE 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 ECDoE 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 APP targets and DBE priorities.
  • Collaborate with external researchers and evaluators on learning studies or baseline to endline reviews.

Qualifications and experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Administration, or related field.
  • Minimum 5-10 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: R600 000 – R682 000 CTC per annum.
  • Applicants must have a South African ID or a valid relevant  work permit.
  • All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to independent relevant reference checks.
  • We encourage previously disadvantaged people to apply
  • Candidate must be familiar with the Eastern Cape province and if they are not based in the Eastern Cape, they must be willing to relocate to Eastern Cape for the duration of the contract. The organisation does not pay for relocation cost.
  • Applicant must be able to start work on 1 November 2025.


Applications must be done online via this form no later than 28th September 2025, 23h00. Late applications will not be considered.