Program Manager, AIM for Scale | East… at University of… · Notre Dame

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description

This position is a remote (U.S.-based), limited-term, grant-funded position expected to run through August 31, 2029, with frequent travel across East Africa.

Are you a dynamic international development leader passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology and climate innovation to transform agricultural livelihoods across Africa?

As the Program Manager for East Africa, you will serve as the operational anchor and strategic focal point for our flagship AI Weather and Advisory Services portfolio. Operating at the intersection of climate resilience, artificial intelligence, and scalable agricultural transformation, you will translate high-level global investments into high-impact, on-the-ground technical assistance across East Africa.

Reporting directly to the Secretariat Director, you will lead day-to-day coordination across country-based teams, collaborate with national ministries and meteorological agencies, and interface directly with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). You will drive work planning, milestone execution, budget management, and partner alignment to deliver actionable, AI-driven weather and agricultural advisories to millions of smallholder farmers.

About AIM for Scale:

The Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) is a global initiative dedicated to identifying, adapting, and scaling evidence-based, cost-effective agricultural innovations to improve smallholder farmer livelihoods and food security in low- and middle-income countries.

Co-hosted by the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and New York University Abu Dhabi, AIM for Scale is supported by world-renowned funding partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The AIM for Scale Secretariat is proudly based at the Keough School of Global Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

• Regional Program & Operations Management: Oversee the day-to-day planning, execution, and monitoring of multi-partner technical assistance programs within the AI Weather & Advisory Services portfolio in East Africa.
• In-Country & Regional Team Leadership: Coordinate and support country-based implementation teams, ensuring cohesive work planning, clear deliverables, and shared accountability across regional partners.
• High-Level Stakeholder & MDB Engagement: Serve as the primary operational point of contact for national government agencies, agricultural and meteorological ministries, and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to ensure program alignment and sustainable integration.
• Work Planning, Budgets & Monitoring: Lead the co-development of country work plans, track regional project milestones, monitor grant budgets, and manage risk assessments in close coordination with the Secretariat Director.
• Technical & Donor Coordination: Bridge the gap between research institutions, technology providers, host-country government officials, and philanthropic funders through high-impact communication and regular reporting.

Qualifications

Education & Prerequisites:

• Advanced Degree: Master’s degree in International Development, Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, Economics, Climate Science, or a closely related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Alternative Credentials: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline plus an advanced professional certification with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience (or 5+ years with specialized advanced training) may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• Required Experience & Technical Skills
• Portfolio & Program Leadership: 7+ years of progressive experience managing complex, multi-partner international development programs—preferably with an emphasis on agriculture, climate services, digital development/ICT4D, or scalable technology.
• Institutional Alignment: Demonstrated track record of interfacing and collaborating with host-country government institutions, national agencies, and multilateral development banks (MDBs).
• Partnership Engagement: Proven ability to convene, align, and maintain momentum across diverse stakeholder groups, including government entities, research institutions, non-profit implementing organizations, and philanthropic funders.
• Core Project Management: Exceptional command of baseline program management disciplines, including budget monitoring, multi-country work planning, risk assessment, and milestone-based donor reporting.
• Communication & Coordination: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; adept at coordinating across complex technical, government, donor, and research audiences.
• Mobility: Willingness and ability to undertake frequent international travel across East Africa as program needs dictate.

Preferred Experience:

• Regional Expertise: Direct professional experience in East Africa managing field operations, country office partnerships, or regional technical assistance portfolios.

Additional Information

Compensation: Starting at $80,000/salary

This position will be accepting applications until October 31, 2026.

This position requires a resume and cover letter in order to be considered.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.