Hivos Portfolio Manager – Africa: Programme Leadership Job for Experienced Development Professionals | Apply by 24 September 2026
Experienced development professionals can apply for the Hivos Portfolio Manager – Africa position, a senior programme management opportunity supporting strategic portfolios across the organisation’s African operations. The full-time position is open to qualified candidates who already have the legal right to work in an eligible Hivos operational country with a registered office.
The role can be based in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe, making it particularly relevant for experienced African development professionals seeking senior NGO and programme management opportunities. The application deadline is 24 September 2026 at midnight CAT, according to the application instructions.
About the Hivos Portfolio Manager – Africa Role
The Portfolio Manager – Africa will provide strategic oversight across an assigned portfolio of projects and programmes. Reporting to the Head of Programs, the successful candidate will help ensure that projects are well designed, effectively implemented and aligned with organisational priorities.
The position combines programme leadership, strategic planning, advocacy, resource mobilisation, project management and organisational learning. It is therefore suited to an experienced professional who can work across multiple programmes and stakeholders while maintaining a strong focus on quality and results.
The Portfolio Manager will also contribute to developing new programme ideas and funding proposals while helping teams respond effectively to changing political, social and economic environments across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for strengthening strategic coherence across the assigned portfolio. This will include contributing to the design of thematically strong projects and providing strategic advice on new programmes.
Key duties will include analysing political, social and economic developments and translating these insights into practical programme recommendations. The Portfolio Manager will also oversee portfolio improvement processes, support audit follow-up and identify good practices that can improve programme performance.
Advocacy will be another important part of the position. The successful candidate will contribute to advocacy strategy development and may lead or co-lead advocacy initiatives, activities and events.
Additional responsibilities will include preparing project and workstream plans, reports and presentations, analysing programme data, tracking risks and dependencies, coordinating stakeholders and supporting project closeout.
The role will also involve resource mobilisation and proposal development, including supporting funding proposals of different sizes. The Portfolio Manager will supervise local and regional project managers, allocate responsibilities, contribute to performance reviews and identify potential compliance issues.
Qualifications and Experience
Hivos is seeking a highly experienced programme management professional with a Master’s degree in business, law, development, public administration or a related field.
Candidates should have at least 10 years of regional and/or international programme management experience and a proven ability to provide strategic leadership in complex operational environments.
Strong project and financial management skills are required, together with experience in resource mobilisation, funding proposal development, stakeholder engagement, project planning, reporting and data analysis.
Applicants should also demonstrate experience in developing advocacy strategies and connecting advocacy outcomes and lessons with broader programme results.
Knowledge of the political, social and development environments across Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Africa is important. Strong communication, organisational, problem-solving and technology skills are also expected.
Fluency in English is essential, while French is considered an advantage.
Contract and Working Arrangements
The position is full-time, with working hours depending on the country of employment. Hivos lists 37.5 hours per week for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, while Kenya has a 40-hour working week.
The initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and available funding. Remuneration will be determined according to the successful candidate’s experience, expertise and applicable local employment conditions.
Important Work Authorisation Requirement
This is an important consideration for international applicants. Hivos does not provide work permit sponsorship or international relocation costs for this position.
Applicants must already have, or independently secure, the legal right to work in one of the eligible countries before appointment. The role is therefore not a visa-sponsored international relocation opportunity.
Eligible duty stations include Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, subject to Hivos having a registered office and the candidate meeting local work-authorisation requirements.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a cover letter of no more than one page and a CV of no more than two pages and submit their application through the official Hivos recruitment system.
There is a slight discrepancy in the published deadline information. The vacancy page displays 25 September 2026, while the application instructions state that applications will be accepted until 24 September 2026 at midnight CAT. Candidates are strongly advised to use 24 September 2026 as the safe deadline and submit their applications early.
Hivos Portfolio Manager Deadline
Position: Portfolio Manager – Africa
Organisation: Hivos
Location: Kenya, Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe
Job Type: Full-time
Contract: Initial one-year contract, renewable
Experience: At least 10 years
Education: Master’s degree or equivalent
Language: English required; French advantageous
Application Deadline: 24 September 2026, midnight CAT
This opportunity is particularly suitable for senior development professionals with extensive experience in programme management, advocacy, resource mobilisation and strategic leadership across Africa. Interested candidates should review the full requirements and submit their applications through the official recruitment system before the stated deadline.
VISIT HERE TO APPLY
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook,Linkedin & WAchannel
Join Our WhatsApp Community
Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
