Strategic Program Manager for PROPEL Initiative

Dynamic program manager sought to lead the Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) initiative, spearheading strategic planning, implementation, and oversight of market-driven employment solutions. The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of eight years of progressive experience in program management, with a strong focus on employment, economic development, or related fields. Proficiency in donor coordination, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sectoral collaboration is essential, alongside exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities. Responsibilities include designing and executing market systems interventions, monitoring progress against KPIs, ensuring financial accountability, and fostering partnerships with private sector entities, government agencies, and civil society organizations. A track record of delivering measurable outcomes in complex environments and a deep understanding of market-based approaches to poverty reduction are critical. Advanced degree in economics, international development, business administration, or a related discipline preferred. Fluency in English is required; additional language skills are a strong asset. The PROPEL program is dedicated to fostering resilience, creating opportunities, advancing professional employment, and facilitating continuous learning among participants. This initiative focuses on equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to navigate challenges, seize career-enhancing prospects, and achieve sustainable professional growth. Through structured guidance, mentorship, and targeted resources, the program empowers participants to build confidence, expand their networks, and pursue meaningful career pathways. By integrating resilience-building strategies with practical employment solutions and lifelong learning frameworks, PROPEL aims to bridge gaps in workforce development and promote long-term success. Organization: Mercy Corps Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Position status: Full-time, regular Salary level: Level 6 Application deadline: 22 June 2026 About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps, a premier global organization, operates on the conviction that a more equitable world is within reach. During crises and challenging circumstances, the organization deploys impactful strategies in over 40 nations worldwide, empowering individuals to surmount hardships and foster resilient, self-sustaining communities for today and generations to come. About the PROPEL program PROPEL serves as a multi-country initiative focused on youth employment and market systems development, spanning Uganda, Senegal, Liberia, and Tanzania. This initiative adopts a market-focused and private-sector-driven strategy to tackle youth unemployment and underemployment, with a specific focus on engaging young individuals who are neither employed, enrolled in education, nor receiving training (MEET). PROPEL tackles systemic barriers impeding youth employment while fostering scalable and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Spearheaded by Mercy Corps in collaboration with Junior Achievement Africa, the initiative aims to create lasting pathways to economic empowerment. About the position The Program Manager – Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) will spearhead the in-country execution of the PROPEL program, ensuring comprehensive oversight and strategic direction throughout its implementation. This position guarantees that program delivery remains flexible, responsive to market demands, and focused on measurable outcomes. The Program Manager will operationalize regional strategy into tailored implementation plans, integrating Political Economy Analysis (PEA), promoting private sector-driven models, and utilizing targeted youth segmentation strategies, with particular emphasis on MEET populations. The role guarantees that interventions are tailored to local incentives and constraints, conform to labor market demand, and yield scalable, sustainable employment outcomes. Essential responsibilities Strategy and planning The Program Manager – Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) will spearhead the formulation and implementation of country-level strategies, converting regional priorities into tailored, context-driven interventions. This position requires a deep comprehension of local market structures, institutional frameworks, and labor market conditions to underpin strategic planning and drive effective, outcome-focused execution. Key responsibilities include: Spearhead the creation of comprehensive annual and quarterly work plans that are fully aligned with PROPEL’s regional strategy and tailored to the specific context of each country. Perform and regularly refine Political Economy Analysis (PEA) to assess the incentives, power dynamics, and constraints that shape youth employment systems. Integrate Pivotal Evidence-Assisted (PEA) insights into the design of programs, the selection of partners, and the execution of adaptive management strategies. To ensure alignment with labor market demand and private sector requirements, program interventions must be strategically designed and implemented.

• Foster alignment among youth employment pathways, market systems development, and program outcomes to uphold strategic coherence. Program implementation and private sector engagement The Program Manager will be responsible for directing the execution of program initiatives, prioritizing private sector leadership to ensure sustainable employment results. This position guarantees that initiatives are shaped by market demand, align with commercial strategies, and foster private sector engagement by complementing rather than displacing it. Oversee the daily execution of all PROPEL initiatives within the country, guaranteeing high-quality outcomes, adherence to deadlines, and successful delivery of results.
• Forge and nurture strategic alliances with lead firms and private sector stakeholders to collaboratively develop employment solutions. Facilitate the development and implementation of private sector-driven initiatives, such as apprenticeship programs, job placement services, and business support offerings. Encourage private sector partners to invest jointly and assume ownership of initiatives, thereby guaranteeing long-term viability and continuity.

Facilitate the transition from supply-driven training methodologies to demand-driven employment pathways. Youth segmentation and inclusion The Program Manager will develop and implement youth segmentation frameworks that clearly delineate target groups, ensuring program delivery precisely addresses the needs of specific populations—especially those not in education, employment, or training (MEET). This position focuses on tailored approaches designed to address the distinct needs, preparedness, and potential of young individuals. Employability and vulnerability assessments are conducted using structured youth segmentation frameworks to systematically categorize target groups. Design and craft customized programs for MEET youth, focusing on core competencies, employment preparation, and entrepreneurial training. To ensure equitable representation, actively prioritize the inclusion of women, marginalized communities, and displaced populations in all relevant initiatives. Develop and implement structured frameworks to monitor and evaluate the advancement of young individuals through various employment pathways and resultant outcomes. Facilitate interventions that effectively address the unique obstacles encountered by MEET youth, such as challenges related to accessibility, mobility constraints, and deficiencies in essential skills. Partnerships and ecosystem development The Program Manager will assume a pivotal role in cultivating and enhancing strategic alliances and market frameworks that foster lasting employment opportunities for young individuals. This position extends beyond individual collaborations, prioritizing enhancements to the operational efficiency of the employment ecosystem. Act as the principal on-the-ground liaison for PROPEL, interfacing directly with key stakeholders to represent the organization’s interests effectively. Develop and oversee strategic alliances with governmental bodies, private enterprises, educational institutions, and financial stakeholders. Enhance ecosystem functions by improving skills development systems, facilitating market information flows, and broadening access to finance. Facilitate collaboration with implementing partners and ensure alignment of interventions among all stakeholders to enhance project coherence and impact. Foster collaboration and ensure alignment with national priorities and sector strategies to maximize collective impact and efficiency. Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning The Program Manager will be responsible for establishing and maintaining comprehensive MEAL systems designed to monitor performance metrics, assess systemic-level transformations, and facilitate adaptive management practices. This position emphasizes ongoing professional development and the use of data-driven insights to inform strategic choices. We are responsible for managing the establishment and functionality of MEAL systems designed to document both program outputs and systemic changes. Monitor and analyze shifts in private sector practices, youth employment trends, and the performance of intervention methodologies to identify key insights and opportunities for improvement.

• Develop and embed iterative learning cycles driven by continuous assessment, incorporating insights from Political Economy Analysis.

Formation / Diplômes

• Deliver accurate and timely reporting to regional teams and donors to maintain transparency and accountability. Foster a culture characterized by ongoing education, thoughtful introspection, and progressive enhancement across the country team. Financial and operational management The Program Manager will be responsible for managing all financial and operational facets of the program within the designated country.
• Budget management.
• Procurement processes.
• Administration of grants and sub-awards.
• Compliance with donor requirements.
• Compliance with Mercy Corps policies.
• Ensuring optimization, responsibility, and cost-effectiveness in resource utilization. Risk management The Program Manager will take a proactive approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks throughout the program’s implementation to ensure successful delivery. The position will leverage insights from key stakeholders and Political Economy Analysis to predict potential market distortions. Mitigation strategies will then be crafted and executed to uphold program integrity while ensuring interventions remain equitable, transparent, and aligned with their intended objectives. Safeguarding responsibilities The Program Manager is responsible for embedding safeguarding principles into every stage of program implementation. This position is responsible for upholding the dignity, safety, and well-being of both participants and staff, fostering an environment built on transparency, responsibility, and alignment with Mercy Corps’ core values. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of utilizing established reporting channels to address any concerns promptly and effectively. Supervisory responsibility The Program Manager – Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) will oversee leadership and management of the country program team. The role encompasses overseeing program and MEL officers to maintain robust accountability frameworks and effective performance management systems. Accountability Reports directly to
• Regional Program Director – PROPEL Works directly with
• Country Director.
• Regional technical teams.
• Finance and operations teams. As the lead of the PROPEL program at Junior Achievement Africa, a key consortium partner, you will play a pivotal role in steering the initiative toward its strategic objectives. Accountability to participants and stakeholders Mercy Corps team members must actively contribute to accountability initiatives, prioritizing transparency and responsiveness toward program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and the international standards that govern humanitarian and development efforts. Mercy Corps prioritizes collaborative partnerships with communities throughout the entire lifecycle of field projects, encompassing design, ongoing monitoring, and evaluation phases. Minimum qualifications and transferable skills Applicants should have: A master’s degree in economics, development studies, business administration, or an equivalent discipline is required. A minimum of seven to ten years of cumulative, hands-on experience in market systems development, youth employment initiatives, or livelihoods-focused programming is required. Experienced in collaborating with the private sector to develop and execute market-focused solutions through strategic partnerships and initiatives. Accomplished in overseeing multipartner, donor-funded initiatives, with proven expertise in program management, implementation, and comprehensive reporting. Demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of labor market frameworks and the unique employment challenges faced by young individuals, with particular emphasis on the obstacles encountered by those not engaged in education, employment, or training (MEET). Proven track record of leading multifaceted teams and facilitating collaboration among varied stakeholders. Success factors The ideal candidate must exhibit robust systems thinking capabilities and excel at maneuvering through intricate, ever-changing environments with remarkable flexibility. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in cultivating and overseeing collaborations, especially with private sector stakeholders, while maintaining a results-driven approach to drive sustainable employment opportunities for young people. Living conditions and environmental conditions The role is situated in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This position necessitates extensive travel, with up to 70% of time spent on-site to facilitate field-level implementation initiatives. Such travel may involve assignments in high-risk or remote locations characterized by constrained mobility and inadequate infrastructure, including limited access to basic amenities. Ongoing learning Mercy Corps holds the conviction that organizations committed to continuous learning enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and ability to address community needs with greater relevance. Team members are granted the opportunity to allocate 5% of their time to learning initiatives that foster both personal and professional advancement. Team engagement and effectiveness Mercy Corps acknowledges that the foundation of its mission accomplishment lies in the composition and collaborative dynamics of its team. By fostering an inclusive environment that unites individuals with varied experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints, Mercy Corps enhances its capacity to address intricate challenges and foster innovation. The organization nurtures a workplace environment rooted in trust and mutual respect, ensuring each team member’s contributions are acknowledged, their professional growth is supported, and their drive to excel is continuously encouraged. Mercy Corps understands that cultivating a robust and high-performing team requires continuous effort and is dedicated to evolving, refining, and advancing collectively. Equal employment opportunity Mercy Corps upholds a commitment to equal opportunity employment, ensuring fair and equitable access to employment opportunities for all current employees and prospective candidates who meet the necessary qualifications. Equal employment opportunities are extended to all individuals, irrespective of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or belief, as well as national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics under relevant legislation. Safeguarding and ethics Mercy Corps upholds the fundamental principle of treating every individual—staff, community residents, program beneficiaries, and other stakeholders—with unwavering respect and dignity in all engagements. Mercy Corps upholds the fundamental principles established by the UN Secretary-General and the IAS to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, demonstrating its dedication to ethical standards. Additionally, the organization has formally endorsed the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, reinforcing its commitment to accountability and safeguarding. Mercy Corps will not tolerate:
• Child abuse.
• Sexual exploitation.
• Abuse.
• Harassment by or of team members. As a fundamental aspect of fostering a secure and welcoming workplace, all employees must adhere to the following expectations:
• Conduct themselves professionally.

Autres informations

• Respect local laws and customs. Maintain strict compliance with Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct policies and uphold its core values consistently in all professional interactions. Upon commencement of employment and thereafter on an annual basis, completion of the mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses is required. Sharing is caring! Kindly select the icons below to share. Submit your curriculum vitae and complete application via the designated company portal, accessible through the provided link. Closing Date : 25th June , 2026. Subscribe now to receive the latest job opportunities in Tanzania directly to your inbox. Stay informed and never miss an update—click the link below to sign up today.

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