Strategic Programme Manager: Mathematics

An experienced, strategic and highly practical project manager to lead the coordination of Gauteng Maths. Embedded within GDE, the successful candidate will work alongside departmental officials and across BCL, implementing partners and other technical partners to translate an ambitious programme design into disciplined delivery.

This is a senior role for someone who can operate at two levels: maintaining a firm grip on plans, budgets, meetings and implementation detail, while helping GDE and partners think through institutionalisation, affordability and a pathway to scale.

Purpose of Role

An experienced, strategic and highly practical project manager to lead the coordination of Gauteng Maths. Embedded within GDE, the successful candidate will work alongside departmental officials and across BCL, implementing partners and other technical partners to translate an ambitious programme design into disciplined delivery.

This is a senior role for someone who can operate at two levels: maintaining a firm grip on plans, budgets, meetings and implementation detail, while helping GDE and partners think through institutionalisation, affordability and a pathway to scale.

Objectives of Role

Lead programme deliver

Own and maintain the integrated implementation plan, budget, milestones and dependencies across all programme components.

Drive day-to-day delivery, including scheduling, meeting preparation, minutes, action tracking, follow-up and the practical coordination needed to keep activities moving.

Coordinate the operational readiness of teacher training, training-of-trainers sessions, dry runs, mathematics boot camps, materials delivery and teacher-support activities.

Oversee Learning and Teaching Support Materials planning, development, readiness, printing and delivery.

Monitor progress, expenditure and partner deliverables; identify risks or slippage early, coordinate practical solutions and escalate significant concerns when needed.

Maintain clear programme records and step into detailed administrative work when needed to protect critical deadlines.

Coordinate government and programme partners

Build trusted working relationships with GDE officials at provincial and district levels, while respecting departmental mandates and lines of accountability.

Serve as the central coordination point between GDE, BCL, implementing partners, funders, researchers and other technical contributors.

Navigate departmental planning, approval, procurement, communication and sign-off processes.

Prepare and support Technical Working Group and Steering Committee meetings, ensuring that decisions are well framed and followed through.

Clarify roles and interdependencies, and facilitate constructive problem-solving across organisations.

Support Provincial strategy  and planning for scale

Contribute to GDE’s strategy for strengthening Foundation Phase mathematics outcomes, using learning from the pilot to inform a coherent Grades 1–3 approach.

Coordinate work on the implementation arrangements, workforce capacity, costs, procurement routes and sustainable financing required for future expansion.

Present clear, costed options and recommendations to GDE, BCL and programme governance structures.

Ensure alignment with related provincial and national initiatives, including FLOAT, BonaBala and developments in early-grade mathematics materials and assessment.

Support monitoring, evaluation, learning and communication

Coordinate the collection and review of essential implementation data.

Work with evaluation and research specialists to support the roll out of the evaluation and monitoring of implementation and learning.

Use evidence and stakeholder feedback to support regular reflection and adaptation.

Prepare concise progress reports, presentations, briefing notes and decision papers for government, funders and governance structures.

Coordinate programme communications through agreed GDE channels.

Experience and Qualifications

Honours degree or equivalent in mathematics education, education, public policy, programme management, international development or a related field.

At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in complex programme or project management, preferably in education or a public-sector environment.

Experience managing multi-partner programmes with substantial budgets and demanding delivery timelines.

Strong planning, budgeting, problem-solving and written reporting skills.

Excellent relationship-management and facilitation skills.

Willingness to handle detailed administrative and coordination tasks as well as strategic work.

Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel within Gauteng.

Preferred

A background in mathematics, mathematics education, numeracy or Foundation Phase teaching and learning.

Experience with structured learning programmes, teacher professional development, curriculum implementation or education materials.

Understanding of South Africa’s public education system.

Experience working within or closely alongside a government department.

Experience supporting programme design for institutionalisation, scale or sustainable public financing.

Proficiency in an official South African language in addition to English, particularly isiZulu, Sepedi or Sesotho.

Strategic judgement with operational discipline

Programme planning and delivery

Government partnership and institutional navigation

Stakeholder coordination and facilitation

Budget and performance management

Clear, concise writing and communication

Collaborative leadership, tact and resilience

Initiative, accountability and attention to detail