Project Manager: Education Programmes - Tirisano Construction Fund

Synopsis

• A position exists within the Tirisano Construction Fund (TCF) team for an accomplished and competent Project Manager – Education Programmes. This position will be based on a three-year (36 month) performance-based fixed-term contract, through the IDC.

Background of the Tirisano Construction Fund

• Seven Construction Companies entered a Settlement Agreement with the South African government to establish the Tirisano Construction Fund. The Fund is constituted as a Trust and the Trustees are designated by seven construction companies and Government, plus a Trustee from SAFCEC - as outlined in the Settlement Agreement.
• The Settlement Agreement stipulates that the construction companies should collectively contribute R1.5 billion over 12 years (an average of R125 million per annum). The funds will be used for social and economic benefit to the construction industry, in seven programmes as follows:
• Enterprise Development Programme (EDP): the development and promotion of construction firms owned and managed by Black People through, for example, providing working capital at concessional rates;
• Engineering Bursaries Programme (EBP): providing bursaries to previously disadvantaged persons studying engineering, building science or quantity surveying at a tertiary institution, principally based on mentorship programs guaranteeing future employment for such previously disadvantaged persons in the Construction Companies, to the extent feasible at the time;
• Construction Occupations Development Programme (CODP): providing bursaries to previously disadvantaged persons being trained as artisans and/or the equivalent level of construction occupations, principally based on mentorship programs guaranteeing future employment for such previously disadvantaged persons in the Construction Companies, to the extent feasible at the time;
• Basic Education Programme (BEP): supporting and enhancing mathematics and science education at public schools;
• Social Infrastructure Programme (SIP): promoting social and economic welfare, including funding social infrastructure build programs for student accommodation, health clinics, rural bridges and sports fields at public schools;
• Technical Capacity Programme (TCP): funding the appointment of professionals to provide the Government with engineering, project management and other services that assist the Government (and local government), and strengthen its capacity, to design, construct, operate and maintain public infrastructure through, amongst others, the secondment of skilled personnel from organisations operating in RSA; and
• Professionalising Engineering Practitioners Programme (PEPP): through funding the relevant training academies and/or mentoring institutions which provide a structured development program for graduate engineers, to facilitate such engineers' registration by the Engineering Council of South Africa as "professional engineers" in terms of the Engineering Profession Act No. 46 of 2000.

Job Description

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TCF Partners and Programme Management

• Manage day-to-day operations with implementing partners delivering TCF education and skills programmes.
• Ensure partners deliver against signed agreements, workplans, budgets, and agreed milestones.
• Conduct regular site visits and partner engagements to assess quality of implementation and learner/student experience.
• Provide technical and operational support to partners to strengthen delivery, including special interventions from TCF from time to time.
• Identify and manage programme risks, escalating issues timeously with proposed mitigation plans.
• Implement approved strategies for TCF’s education programmes.

Financial Management

• Manage disbursement of funds to partners in line with grant agreements and TCF finance policies.
• Support the Fund Administrator in facilitating payments to beneficiaries, bursary holders, and implementing partners, including coordinating internal IDC financial reporting and obtaining the required approvals and signatures.
• Review and verify partner budgets, cash flow forecasts, and expenditure reports.
• Monitors spend against budget, flag variances, and ensure funds are used for intended purposes.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting for the education portfolio.
• Ensure partner financial reports meet audit and compliance requirements.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Implement and maintain M&E frameworks and identifying impact areas for both programmes, tracking outputs, outcomes and impact indicators
• Assess monthly partner reports against programme implementation targets and follow up on performance gaps or required corrective action.
• Collect, verify, and analyse data from partners; maintain accurate programme records and databases.
• Support Senior Management on projects FICA processes within the IDC.
• Compile, prepare and submit monthly project reports, annual report stories and interview inputs, in addition to general TCF management reports.
• Track progress against multiyear programme targets and recommend course corrections
• Commission or support external evaluations and use findings to inform programme design.

Strategic and Stakeholder Engagement

• Contribute to TCF programme strategy, design, and continuous improvement based on evidence and sector best practice.
• Support due diligence and selection of new implementing partners for TCF programmes.
• Attend to beneficiary and bursary-holder queries, coordinate planned support programmes, and facilitate correspondence with university bursary offices.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure all programmes comply with relevant legislation, funder requirements, and internal policies (including B-BBEE/skills development alignment where relevant) Maintain proper documentation for grant agreements, compliance checks, and reporting audit trails.

Qualification and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in education or Social Sciences or Development Studies or Commerce or Engineering and Built environment, or related fields.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 - 8 years' experience managing education or development programmes, including experience with multiyear, multi-partner initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in transformational/development programmes targeting Quintile 1 - 3 schools or historically disadvantaged communities.
• Experience managing bursary or scholarship programmes advantageous.
• Proven financial management experience.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and donor/funder reporting. Experience working with corporate social investment (CSI), foundation, NGO, or development sector funding models.

Roles and Responsibilities

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Strong financial acumen and budget management skills.
• Excellent partner/stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong M&E and data analysis skills; comfortable working with education/impact data.
• Excellent written, verbal reporting skills and presentation skills.
• Project management skills: planning, risk management, multi-stakeholder coordination.
• Understanding of the South African education system, STEM pipeline challenges, and the engineering/construction skills landscape.
• Cultural competence and commitment to equity and transformation in education.
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel to partner and programme sites.

Roles and Responsibilities (cont.)

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Strong systems thinking and analytical capability.
• High professional integrity and governance ethics.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in a high‑structure environment with defined deliverables.
• Commitment to contractor development and sector transformation.
• Independent, disciplined and delivery‑focused.

Posting End Date

• 02 Oct 2026