Program Manager at Mercy Corps Tanzania

Job Category: Programming
Requisition Number: 6TZMG006828

Posting Details
Posted: June 16, 2026
Full-Time
On-site
Locations: Dar-Es-Salaam, TZ-02 32503, TZA

Job Details

Description

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) leads the development and execution of country-level strategies by translating regional priorities into context-specific informed interventions. The role ensures that planning is grounded in a deep understanding of local market systems, institutional dynamics, and labor market realities, enabling adaptive and results-oriented implementation.

• Lead the development of annual and quarterly work plans aligned with PROPEL’s regional strategy and country context
• Conduct and continuously update Political Economy Analysis (PEA) to understand incentives, power dynamics, and constraints affecting youth employment systems
• Integrate PEA insights into program design, partner selection, and adaptive management processes
• Align program interventions with labor market demand and private sector needs
• Ensure strategic coherence between youth employment pathways, market systems development, and program outcomes

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION & PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) oversees implementation of program activities with a strong emphasis on private sector leadership as the primary driver of sustainable employment outcomes. The role ensures interventions are demand-led, market-oriented, and designed to crowd in rather than substitute private sector participation.

• Lead day-to-day implementation of all PROPEL activities in-country ensuring quality, timeliness, and results delivery
• Identify, engage, and manage partnerships with lead firms and private sector actors to co-create employment opportunities
• Facilitate private sector-led models such as apprenticeships, job placements, and business service provision
• Promote co-investment and ownership by private sector partners to ensure sustainability
• Ensure a shift from supply-driven training approaches to demand-driven employment pathways

YOUTH SEGMENTATION & INCLUSION (NEET FOCUS)

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) ensures program delivery is informed by clear youth segmentation frameworks enabling targeted and effective interventions, particularly for NEET populations. The role emphasizes differentiated pathways responding to varying levels of vulnerability, readiness, and opportunity among young people.

• Apply structured youth segmentation frameworks to categorize target groups based on employability and vulnerability
• Design and implement tailored pathways for NEET youth including foundational skills, job readiness, and enterprise development
• Prioritize inclusion of women, marginalized groups, and displaced populations where relevant
• Establish systems to track youth progression across employment pathways and outcomes
• Ensure interventions are responsive to barriers faced by NEET youth including access, mobility, and skills gaps

PARTNERSHIPS & ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

The Program Manager plays a central role in building and strengthening partnerships and market systems that support sustainable youth employment.

• Serve as the primary in-country representative of PROPEL in engagement with stakeholders
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with government, private sector, training institutions, and financial actors
• Strengthen ecosystem functions such as skills development systems, market information flows, and access to finance
• Facilitate coordination with implementing partners and align interventions across stakeholders
• Promote collaboration and alignment with national priorities and sector strategies

MEAL (MONITORING, EVALUATION, ACCOUNTABILITY & LEARNING)

The role ensures robust MEAL systems are in place to track performance, measure system-level change, and support adaptive management.

• Oversee implementation of MEAL systems capturing outputs and systemic change
• Track changes in private sector behaviour, youth employment outcomes, and model effectiveness
• Integrate learning loops informed by Political Economy Analysis
• Ensure timely reporting to regional teams and donors
• Promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement

FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Responsible for financial and operational oversight including budgeting, procurement, and grants management ensuring compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Proactively identify and manage risks using stakeholder insights and Political Economy Analysis to prevent market distortion and ensure program integrity.

Qualifications

Experience Required

• Strong experience managing multi-partner, donor-funded programs with implementation and reporting responsibilities
• Experience engaging private sector in market-driven interventions
• Minimum 7–10 years experience in market systems development, youth employment, or livelihoods programming