The Senior Programme Manager Southern Africa will be responsible for the delivery and accountability of British Red Cross (BRC) support to the Southern Africa partners, specifically the Zimbabwe (ZRCS) and Eswatini (BERCS) Red Cross. This vital role encompasses programme and funding management, partnership management, and the provision of technical advice.
The Senior Programme Manager will lead the partnership engagement and review processes, working closely with the East & Southern Africa (ESA) National Society Development (NSD) lead. This position supports BRC engagement in priority investment areas, including NSD, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), Climate and Resilience, and Humanitarian Diplomacy. The role acts as a focal point for in-country donors, such as FCDO, and collaborates with fundraising colleagues. The incumbent will also oversee the small BRC regional office, including required finance management sign-off, and will act as the BRC security focal point for Zimbabwe and Eswatini in collaboration with IFRC.
The role ensures that BRC supported programmes are coherent with the broader BRC International strategy and adhere to the International Quality Management (IQM) and BRC Programme Cycle Methodology. The Senior Programme Manager will also manage and oversee programme budgets, which may range from £1M or up to £3M for emergency response funds, ensuring effective and accountable resource use.
We are part of the Red Cross and Red Crescent global humanitarian network, connecting human kindness with human crisis around the world. As a member of the Movement, the British Red Cross is bound by its fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The position sits within BRC’s Africa and OSBs regional team, which supports strategy delivery. The role is managed by the ESA Regional Representative. The Senior Programme Manager provides line management to BRC staff in the Southern Africa office, including the Finance and Administrative Officer. The team works in close partnership externally with National Society partners, the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and other partners to facilitate coordinated support. The BRC office supports programmes aimed at enabling vulnerable people to prepare for and withstand emergencies, helping them recover and move on with their lives.
To be a successful Senior Programme Manager, you will need to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas:
• Excellent programme management cycle skills (a Project/Programme management qualification is an advantage)
• Excellent knowledge of grant management controls and processes, preferable related to FCDO or other large institutional donors.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the international humanitarian system.
• Ability to critically analyse, make decisions, and problem-solve pragmatically.
• Understanding of vulnerability issues in key sectors (e.g., Climate resilience, food security & livelihoods, Cash Transfer Programming, Social Protection) in relation to Southern Africa.
• Understanding of the disaster management cycle and the concept of anticipatory action and preparedness.
• Significant experience in the development, delivery, and coordination of large programmes in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience, including significant exposure to overseas work.
• Working with local partners on National Society Development or organisational development and capacity building.
• Proven donor engagement and relationship building experience, e.g., FCDO.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing complex donor-funded grants, including budgeting, financial planning, compliance, reporting, and audit coordination.
• Management and accountability of humanitarian/development programmes funded by large donors.
• Experience Managing office with staff and working with teams remotely.
Closing date for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 23 November 2025.
We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates (as defined in the 2010 Equality Act), who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria in the advertised person specification and apply under the disability confident scheme.
Should you have any questions on this role please email us at international_recruitment@redcross.org.uk quoting the job title.
We offer a wide range of staff benefits, these include:
- Accommodation while on deployment
- Subsistence allowances while overseas
- Travel to and from the country of posting, plus long service flights
- Comprehensive insurance, including medical, personal effects and life insurance
- Pre and post assignment medicals and access to excellent health and wellbeing benefits
- Access to a pension, which you can join at any time during your contract
- Generous leave entitlement (36 days incl. public holidays)
The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK and overseas; get the support they need if crisis strikes.
Our organisation was born out of a desire to bring help without discrimination.
Impartiality and neutrality have been central values for the Red Cross since we started.
At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the best people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by crisis in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Diversity is something we celebrate, and we want you to be able to bring your authentic-self to the Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.
In the British Red Cross we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place, and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where misconduct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.
British Red Cross also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme for roles within the International Directorate. In line with the scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.
If you are appointed to a role within BRC you will be subject to the organisation's Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website.
As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults.
If driving is an essential requirement of the role, appropriate driver checks will be completed in line with current policy.
The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).
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Together, we are the world's emergency responders
If you are appointed to a role within BRC you will be subject to the organisation's Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website.
As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults.
If driving is an essential requirement of the role, appropriate driver checks will be completed in line with current policy.
The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).
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