Senior Programmes Manager (SPM) – SPECIAL ROLE
COUNSENUTH
Senior Programmes Manager (SPM) – Special Role
About COUNSENUTH:
The Centre for Counselling, Nutrition, and Health Care (COUNSENUTH) is a Tanzanian national non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1998 (registration number OONGO/R1/00199). Headquartered in Dar es Salaam, COUNSENUTH envisions a Tanzania where all people have optimal health, nutrition, and quality of life. Our mission is to empower communities, especially vulnerable groups, to improve their quality of life and well-being through affordable, innovative, evidence-based, and locally appropriate actions. We achieve this by enhancing positive behaviors and practices to improve overall well-being, advocating for better governance, and promoting active citizen engagement at all levels.
COUNSENUTH is seeking qualified Tanzanians to fill the following position:
Position Details:
Position Title: Senior Programmes Manager (SPM) – Special Role
Duty Station: Dar Es Salaam Region
Duration: Seven Months
Reports to: Executive Director
Role Summary:
The Department of Programmes is central to achieving COUNSENUTH’s objectives. The Senior Programmes Manager (SPM) will typically oversee multiple programmes or large-scale programs implemented at national, regional, or district levels, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and donor requirements. The SPM will provide strategic leadership, manage teams, and be responsible for the overall success of programmes/projects with support from coordinators. This role involves close collaboration with the Executive Director, ensuring donor compliance, conducting risk assessments, and working with the Head of Finance and Admin to manage and provide technical input on program implementation to supervised officers.
The SPM will coordinate COUNSENUTH’s programmes and maintain relationships with strategic partners, stakeholders, including Local Government Authorities, relevant Ministries, UN organizations, Universities and research institutions, CSOs, and other Development Partners.
Qualifications and Special Skills:
Minimum academic qualification, skills, and knowledge required:
A Master's degree or above in Public Health, social science (including nutrition, education, agriculture), or gender rights.
A minimum of 5 years of tangible experience in a senior position with a strong understanding of Public Health-related policies, strategies, and programmes, including field experience in coordinating and implementing large-scale development programmes.
Proven ability to effectively lead teams, instill a sense of purpose, and guide them towards shared objectives. The ability to inspire, motivate, and correct course when necessary is vital.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse teams, stakeholders, and clients, articulating expectations and feedback clearly.
Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili, with strong presentation skills.
Excellent strategic thinking and conceptualization abilities.
Exceptional risk management skills, including identifying potential threats, creating contingency plans, foreseeing issues, taking preventative measures, and developing swift solutions.
Roles and Responsibilities:
1. Grant Making, Donor Relations, Partnerships and Networking
Facilitate stakeholder mapping and update the stakeholder database.
Identify potential platforms (local and international) to enhance networking and partnership building.
Proactively identify, research, and evaluate grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government entities.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective funders, working closely with the ED.
Utilize existing programmes to identify opportunities for expanding or scaling up lessons learned or best practices into new innovative projects.
Lead Program and Finance teams in developing high-quality grant proposals/products and preparing budgets.
Participate in writing, editing, and submitting grant proposals and preparing budgets.
Represent the Organisation in various resource mobilization initiatives as assigned.
Ensure grant programmes align with organizational values and strategic objectives.
Stay informed on evolving donor and government financial regulations and integrate changes into programme planning and proposal writing.
2. Program Oversight and Alignment with Funding
Clearly define programme management plans with workflows from the outset according to donor requirements.
Align programme management and financial practices with donor expectations, optimizing value for money and operational efficiency.
Oversee the proper utilization of grant funds in collaboration with FAM, ensuring alignment with donor restrictions, local laws, and internal policies.
Oversee the preparation and submission of timely, accurate program reports (monthly, quarterly, mid-year, and annual) to donors while maintaining accountability.
3. Program Compliance Management
Ensure program plans and implementation meet contractual requirements, comply with donor guidelines, local legal requirements, and internal financial policies/manuals.
Review and approve track activity deadlines, monitor budgets, ensure adherence to donor requirements, and manage agreements in consultation with Senior Advisors.
Track program and budget performance against initial objectives and forecasts.
Support the COUNSENUTH Senior Management Team (SMT) in ensuring the overall implementation and monitoring of the Centre’s Safeguarding Framework Policy.
4. Program Planning, Management and Implementation
Coordinate organizational Strategic Planning and reviews with the Finance and Administration Department and other programme officers.
Provide leadership in developing Annual plans and budgets for all programs/projects within the organization.
Develop, monitor, review, and update the Program Department Annual work plans to ensure alignment with the Strategic Plan and achievement of organizational objectives, effectiveness, and efficiency.
Collaborate with program, finance, and leadership teams to align program plans and budgets with organizational goals.
Support internal staff and sub-grantees on program management best practices and compliance.
Assist with budget development and organize training on program budgeting for programme teams and partners.
Oversee the assessment and monitoring of sub-recipients.
Provide Management with up-to-date information on program implementation progress to inform decision-making.
5. Internal Coordination of Program Staff and Capacity Building
Lead and manage the programme team to achieve mandated targets in accordance with annual operational plans.
Work with HR to ensure an enabling environment for staff performance, recognition, and reward for the programme team (e.g., facilities, equipment, duty facilitation, team building) to encourage productivity, innovation, and performance.
Participate in the review of staff job descriptions and the setting of performance standards.
Assign performance objectives to supervised staff, conduct comprehensive performance appraisals, provide/obtain feedback, and ensure timely submission of appraisal reports to HR.
Provide induction, training, coaching, mentoring, and advice to supervised staff to ensure effective understanding and execution of their responsibilities.
6. Oversight of Field Implementation
Guide program implementation, empower staff, define roles, promote teamwork, delegate, and supervise all activities.
Build staff capacity as a mentor and trainer, both formally and as a coaching capacity builder, and supervise all training conducted by various cadres working in the program.
Build the capacity of Government partners (CHMT, RHMT, other regional/district technical facilitators), health workers, and community health volunteers. Actively involve them in program design, planning, budgeting, implementation, and supervision of activities to promote ownership and sustainability.
Conduct weekly program staff meetings to plan, report on the previous week's plans, document best practices, lessons learned, challenges, and re-plan for the coming week.
Involve regional/district partners and key community members in weekly meetings as much as possible to determine program progress, identify challenges, and find ways to overcome them with support from the HQ SPO II.
Promote quality program implementation at all times and seek support from other program officers and the ED where necessary.
Promote innovation and utilize evidence gained from the ground, other works, and research.
7. Strengthening Regional and Districts Existing Systems
Collaborate with relevant systems in health, nutrition, education, gender, or other sectors, motivating them to take an active role in the program/project (e.g., Multisectoral Nutrition Steering Committees or education committees).
Participate in regional/district meetings and work with them to integrate COUNSENUTH program issues into Council plans and budgets.
Build the capacity of existing committees, such as the Multisectoral Nutrition Steering Committees, in planning, budgeting, and implementation of COUNSENUTH-supported specific program/project interventions.
Provide other support and participate in all relevant regional or Council meetings.
8. Program Reviews, MEAL and Reporting
Work closely with the M/E Officer to ensure the MEAL plan is operational and closely monitor and track the implementation of different program activities in the field as scheduled in the annual/program plan of action. Record achieved results, lessons learned, and design adaptation plans.
Prepare and timely submit monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual programme reports to the ED as per desired standards and guidelines.
Ensure quality and timely submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports or required project and program performance reports as per desired standards and guidelines.
Ensure that success stories, best practices, testimonies, learnings, change/outcome stories, etc., are compiled and reported in the form of draft newsletters, testimonials, or brochures suitable for publicity.
9. Promote COUNSENUTH Visibility
Contribute to COUNSENUTH visibility through events, articles/stories, and by taking and sharing quality pictures and short videos for dissemination in various media houses.
Initiate campaigns and advocacy meetings with strategic partners at community levels, providing proper information and feedback to the line manager.
Share success stories, best practices, and other publicity articles with the IT and Communication Officer for further treatment and dissemination in various media houses, the website, and social media.
Represent the organization in national, regional, and international meetings as assigned by the authority.
Perform any other duty as assigned by the authority.
Additional Information:
Application Process:
If you meet the above qualifications and wish to apply, please submit a single document containing both your application letter and CV. Ensure to state your current position, provide a daytime telephone number, and include the names and contact details of three referees.
Interviews will be conducted at the COUNSENUTH offices in Dar es Salaam.
All applications must be received by 1700 hours not later than January 21st, 2026.
COUNSENUTH does not require applicants to pay any money at any stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment.
COUNSENUTH is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and affiliates to share this commitment. COUNSENUTH is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer.
To submit your application, please follow the link provided below: