Senior Manager - Partner Compliance and Relationship

About the role

This role manages the compliance and partnership relationship with regulatory bodies and government departments, while supporting the expansion of existing partnerships. It covers proposal development, data management, policy compliance, subsidy monitoring, progress reporting and field oversight, and advises the senior leadership on legal and technical compliance matters.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain regular engagement with regulatory bodies, understand their requirements and respond promptly to queries; coordinate with government departments on contracts, policies, examinations, academic calendars, payment frameworks and other program matters.
• Support proposals for expanding partnerships: analyse internal and external data to identify potential schools, work with Area and Regional teams on school assessments, compile documentation and prepare and submit proposals.
• Ensure timely and accurate data entry on government portals, monitor data quality and resolve data-related issues.
• Support the development, review and implementation of policies, procedures and SOPs in line with regulatory requirements, communicate regulatory changes and close compliance gaps.
• Prepare and submit periodic reports and compile information such as attendance, assessments, infrastructure, R&M and other deliverables; monitor annual plans and flag timeline deviations.
• Maximise the per-child subsidy received, analyse monthly subsidy trends and coordinate corrective actions.
• Conduct regular school visits to understand implementation challenges and monitor compliance.
• Develop orientation and training programs for area and school teams, and run refreshers when requirements change.
• Advise the senior hierarchy on legal and technical compliance on major government decisions.

Required profile

• Minimum Master's degree in management, law or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience managing large-scale donor-funded projects, preferably with compliance experience.

Required skills

• Good interpersonal skills and strong conflict management and risk assessment and mitigation skills.
• Understanding of local regulatory frameworks such as local government acts and service rules.
• Data analysis and reporting skills with a strong grasp of Excel, PowerPoint and newer applications.