At Click Learning we are passionate about using technology in education to pursue outcomes
based interventions that can meaningfully impact learners in South Africa. We deploy online
literacy and numeracy programmes, within underprivileged primary schools across South Africa, to build learners’ foundations as well as recognise learning gaps and provide them with relevant catch up learning content. Programmes offer young learners the opportunity to work at their own pace through fun and enjoyable activities while navigating their learning journey by means of technology. Whilst addressing the literacy and numeracy crisis, Click also equips learners with the technological skills required for future success.
We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the establishment of a Project Management Center of Excellence (PMCoE) focusing on the planning, execution, and delivery of key projects at Click Learning. This role is critical to ensuring the effective implementation of organisational special projects and supporting the Digital Transformation initiative.
The ideal candidate will bring experience working in established PMO’s, expertise in project management methodologies, stakeholder coordination, and effective delivery of complex projects. Additionally, you will assist in managing the organisation’s defined project delivery methodology, including related documentation templates and processes, to ensure consistency and efficiency in project execution. The role requires an understanding of technologies to enable effective communication with technical teams and the ability to preempt and resolve potential blockages to ensure smooth project delivery.
What you'll do?
1. Planning & Execution
- Monitor & manage project initiation requests process into PMCoE for motivation and prioritization. (Portfolio Backlog)
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define clear project scopes, objectives, and success criteria that align with organisational priorities and strategic goals.
- Develop comprehensive project plans that include detailed timelines, budgets, resource requirements, and risk assessments, ensuring alignment with stakeholders' expectations.
- Proactively monitor project progress, identifying deviations from the plan and taking corrective action to keep projects on track.
- Ensure deliverables meet quality standards by conducting regular reviews and engaging key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
2. Stakeholder & Executive Reporting
- Weekly reporting on key strategic projects & bi-monthly status reporting on Portfolio project statuses, highlighting focus areas, risks & blockers.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with internal teams, partners, and external vendors to facilitate smooth communication and coordination.
- Lead reporting standards across the organization to Jnr Project Managers/Project teams and advocate best practices from the PMCoE.
- Prepare and present detailed project reports, dashboards, and presentations tailored to various audiences, from team-level updates to executive summaries.
3. Problem Solving & Risk Management
- Anticipate potential blockages by regularly evaluating project risks and dependencies and devising contingency plans.
- Act as a key point of escalation to quickly address and resolve issues impacting project delivery, leveraging resources and expertise as needed.
- Maintain a proactive approach to problem-solving by engaging with teams early to address challenges and ensuring unblocked workflows.
4. Technical Understanding
- Develop a foundational understanding of the technologies and systems used within the organisation to facilitate effective communication across project teams.
- Work closely with technical leads/subject matter experts to align project requirements with technological capabilities, ensuring realistic timelines and expectations.
- Use insights into technical processes to identify opportunities for streamlining workflows and improving project outcomes.
5. Process Optimization (Establishment of PMCoE)
- Leadership of PMCoE
- Review and analyse existing workflows to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, or bottlenecks, making recommendations for improvements at a project management lifecycle level.
- Implement process changes that enhance the organisation’s agility, ensuring that teams can adapt quickly to shifting priorities or external factors.
- Leverage data and metrics to measure process performance and demonstrate the impact of optimisation efforts.
6. Team Leadership & Development
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within project teams, ensuring a shared understanding of goals and responsibilities.
- Provide guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback to junior team members, supporting their professional growth and development.
- Actively identify skills gaps within teams and recommend training or development opportunities to build overall team capacity.
7. Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Stay informed about emerging trends in project management and recommend methodologies adaptations to incorporate best practices.
- Introduce innovative tools, technologies, or techniques that enhance project efficiency and team collaboration.
- Encourage a mindset of continuous learning and improvement within the organisation, ensuring that lessons learned are applied to future projects.
What we are looking for?
The Ideal candidate for the Senior Project Manager position should possess:
- 4-6 year’s experience in Project Management and working within PMO structures.
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Proven experience managing technical projects, including multi-stakeholder initiatives with geographically dispersed project resources.
- Vendor Management experience.
- Strong understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
- Relevant certifications such as PMBOK, PRINCE2, or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) are highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and collaborate on technical topics with teams.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to preempt and resolve roadblocks.
- Experience in the education sector or non-profit environments is an advantage but not required.
Our ideal candidate brings the following attributes
The successful candidate for the Technical Project Manager role should exhibit the following personal attributes:
Leadership:
- Inspire confidence and motivate teams to achieve project goals, even in challenging circumstances.
- Demonstrate decisiveness in decision-making, particularly in high-pressure situations where quick resolutions are required.
- Set clear expectations and provide consistent support to foster a sense of ownership and accountability among team members.
Strategic Thinking:
- Exhibit a deep understanding of organisational goals and align project initiatives to achieve long-term impact.
- Anticipate future challenges and proactively develop strategies to mitigate potential risks.
- Use a big-picture perspective to balance immediate project needs with broader strategic priorities.
Collaboration:
- Build strong relationships across departments, ensuring alignment and open communication between technical and non-technical teams.
- Actively listen to diverse viewpoints, fostering an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
- Resolve conflicts effectively by seeking common ground and maintaining a focus on shared goals.
Communication:
- Articulate complex ideas and concepts clearly and concisely, tailoring messaging to suit both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Facilitate productive meetings, ensuring all participants are engaged and discussions remain focused on objectives.
- Provide timely and transparent updates, enabling stakeholders to stay informed and aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
Adaptability:
- Demonstrate resilience and flexibility in the face of changing priorities, challenges, or unexpected obstacles.
- Quickly adapt project plans to accommodate new information, ensuring minimal disruption to timelines and deliverables.
- Embrace feedback and use it constructively to refine personal and organisational approaches to project management.
PACKAGE
- Renewable 12-month contract.
- Salary dependent on experience and skills.
Inclusive benefits:
- 5% Pension Fund Contribution (Employer).
- Death Cover Fund (Employer).
- Unlimited LTE Data for work.
- 23 days of annual leave.
Why Fixed-Term Contracts Work for us
At Click Learning, we’ve been driving meaningful change for over 13 years, growing and evolving in response to the needs of our beneficiaries, funders, and the education landscape.
Our success is built on adaptability—ensuring that we can allocate resources where they are needed most. That’s why we offer fixed-term contracts instead of permanent roles.
We understand that job security is a key concern, and leaving a permanent position can feel like a risk. However, fixed-term contracts at Click Learning offer the stability of an established organization while allowing for career growth and continuity.
Unlike project-based contracts that end without renewal, our employment model is designed around the reality of NGO funding cycles, ensuring that roles continue as long as funding is secured—which we proactively work toward. Many of our team members have successfully renewed their contracts multiple times, progressing within the organization as new opportunities arise.
This contract model is standard practice in the NGO sector and reflects how we responsibly manage funding to sustain roles over time. Additionally, while some may worry about challenges in securing home or car loans, many financial institutions recognize the stability of long-standing NGOs like ours. We encourage open discussions with banks, as proof of consistent employment, contract renewals, and Click Learning’s strong track record can support applications.
By joining Click Learning, you’re stepping into a dynamic, mission-driven environment where your skills will make a tangible impact. Your role is valued, your growth is supported, and your contribution helps us build a brighter future for learners across the country.
This position was originally posted by Click Learning and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link on the side. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.