Program Officer

Overview

The Program Officer will offer both technical and administrative assistance to support the execution of the RISE Botswana Project. This role ensures that all program activities are well planned, coordinated, monitored, and reported according to the standards set by the United States Government, Department of State (DOS), and Jhpiego. Collaborating closely with the Technical Director, technical teams, and partners, the Program Officer guarantees timely and compliant delivery of project initiatives aligned with DOS and Jhpiego guidelines. Key functions include partner engagement, performance tracking, documentation, reporting, and stakeholder interaction, all contributing towards achieving the project's goals and sustainable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support comprehensive planning, coordination, and rollout of RISE project activities alongside the Technical Director and teams.
• Help develop, unify, and oversee work plans, schedules, and deliverables to ensure they meet project aims and donor mandates.
• Coordinate efforts with technical, financial, operational, and MEL units to enable smooth project execution.
• Organize and document meetings, workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder interactions.
• Monitor project progress and follow up on tasks to ensure timely activity completion.
• Engage and support partners and sub-awardees to facilitate successful project delivery and milestone achievement.
• Assist partners in understanding project compliance, reporting, and requirements.
• Provide updates on partner activities, challenges, and issues.
• Evaluate partner plans, reports, and supporting documents.
• Promote communication and knowledge-sharing among partners for enhanced collaboration.
• Track activities against plans and performance metrics.
• Gather, consolidate, and validate project data and reports from stakeholders.
• Help prepare progress reports, presentations, and project success narratives.
• Identify challenges and alert leadership for swift resolution.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and innovations to improve project implementation.
• Ensure compliance with DOS and Jhpiego policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate and complete project documentation as per requirements.
• Monitor budget adherence and reporting compliance.
• Support quality assurance actions and follow through on improvement suggestions.
• Identify risks and track mitigation efforts.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with government, partners, and stakeholders.
• Participate in coordination meetings and provide timely status updates.
• Assist in capacity building, training, and knowledge exchange activities.
• Collaborate with the project team to foster accountability, teamwork, and clear communication.
• Perform other duties necessary to support project success.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, project management, business administration, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 3 to 4 years of progressively responsible program management experience, preferably in PEPFAR or Department of State-supported health initiatives.
• Proven ability to collaborate with technical, finance, and MEL staff to ensure cohesive program delivery.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and coordination capabilities with strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of representing the project to senior government, donor, and partner audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with project management software; knowledge of donor reporting systems is an advantage.
• Experience engaging with government, development partners, implementing partners, and various stakeholders.
• Work experience in Botswana or similar environments is strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required.