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Programme Manager

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Website GlobalcompactSA UN Global Compact Network South Africa

Global Compact Network South Africa is a member-based corporate sustainability platform that brings companies together with labour organisations, academic institutions, cities, non-governmental organisations and UN agencies.

Programmes Manager
Position Overview:
The Programmes Manager is a leadership role responsible for shaping, driving, and delivering GCNSA’s programme portfolio, ensuring alignment with UN Global Compact global priorities and the evolving sustainability landscape in South Africa.
The incumbent will serve as a strategic advisor on sustainability trends, lead programme innovation, secure resources for programme delivery, and ensure organisational excellence across all programme workstreams. This role requires a visionary leader with strong execution capability and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across the private sector, government, and civil society.

About Global Compact Network South Africa

The Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA) is an independent Network of the UN Global Compact, working collectively with companies in South Africa to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. The Ten Principles, a Sustainability Framework are in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environmental Protection and Anti-Corruption.

We invite you to visit our website to learn more about us and how we work.

Key Responsibility Areas:

Strategic Leadership & Insights

  • Provide strategic direction on programme priorities and emerging sustainability
  • Translate global UNGC priorities into locally relevant programme
  • Drive thought leadership to position GCNSA as a leading voice on sustainability in the region.

Programme Oversight, Development & Execution

  • Develop and oversee the full programme strategy, ensuring quality, innovation, and impact in alignment with UNGC global and local SA priorities.
  • Drive execution of high-level engagements, capacity-building initiatives, and thematic interventions.
  • Strengthen programme coherence across all business areas.

Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships 

  • Identify and secure programmatic funding
  • Build strategic partnerships with corporates, development partners, and donors.
  • Ensure robust reporting, stewardship, and accountability to funders.

Governance, Monitoring & Impact 

  • Oversee monitoring and evaluation and reporting to ensure measurable programme
  • Manage the full lifecycle of programmes: planning, execution, logistics, financial oversight, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Integrate insights into organisational decision-making and future programme

Cross-Organisational Leadership

  • Work closely with the CEO, senior leadership team, and GCNSA functional units to ensure integrated delivery.
  • Support organisation-wide strategy execution and contribute to internal capacity building.
  • Represent GCNSA in external forums as required.

Requirements:

  • An advanced degree in Business Administration; Sustainable Development; Economics; Management, Social Sciences, or a related field.
  • Minimum 10 years’ experience managing corporate sustainability, international development and/or civil society programmes.
  • Proven track record in strategic programme design, implementation, and stakeholder engagement
  • Demonstrated ability to mobilise resources and build high-level partnerships.
  • Strong financial oversight capability and experience managing multi-workstream
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and executive engagement skills.
  • Deep understanding of corporate sustainability, and the South African corporate, government, and sustainability ecosystem.
  • Proven experience in leading and managing high-performing teams, including setting priorities, driving accountability, and fostering a collaborative culture.
  • High proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook etc).
  • Strong research and analytical skills.
  • Strong organisational skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, and work effectively in a hybrid team environment.
  • Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.

Our Core Values

Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; and takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and remains calm in stressful situations.

Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect; treats men and women equally; shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; and does not discriminate against any individual or group.

How to Apply: Please send your CV and a brief cover letter to: recruitment@globalcompactsa.org.za

Application closing date: 19 December 2025

Please note: If you do not hear back by end of January 2026, please consider your application unsuccessful.

To apply for this job email your details to recruitment@globalcompactsa.org.za