Technical Programs Manager at Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF)

Technical Programs Manager at Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF)

Position: Technical Programs Manager 

Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF)

The Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF) is a Non-Governmental Organization  (NGO) founded by H.E Mariam H. Mwinyi the First Lady of Zanzibar, and Chairperson of  the Board of Trustees of ZMBF. The Foundation was duly registered in July 2021 under  the Societies Act No 6 of 1995. The ZMBF aims to complement the Revolutionary  Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ) efforts towards attaining quality life for all Zanzibaris.  With a major focus on socioeconomic development, public health improvement, and  gender-based violence elimination for women, youth, and children. 

The ZMBF’s Vision and Mission can only be achieved through an empowered workforce one that  is motivated, committed to growth and integrity, and driven to pursue excellence in execution.  To this end, ZMBF is seeking innovative, self-driven, dynamic, and competent qualified  candidates to fill the following Vacancy:

Position Title: Technical Programs Manager 

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer 

Department: Program Department 

Location: Head Office – Zanzibar 

Overall Purpose of the Job:  

The Technical Programs Manager (TPM) provides strategic and technical leadership to ZMBF’s  program portfolio, with a core focus on Nutrition, Reproductive Health, and Socioeconomic  Development—particularly for women and youth engaged in seaweed farming and blue economy  livelihoods. The role ensures that Cultural Heritage, Digitalization, and Climate Resilience are  integrated as cross-cutting priorities that strengthen innovation, community ownership, and  sustainability across all interventions. 

The TPM leads and supports program teams to deliver high-impact, evidence-based results  aligned with ZMBF’s Strategic Plan. This includes program coordination, quality assurance,  resource mobilization, and cultivating strategic partnerships that advance human capital  development and long-term community transformation.

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Planning and Budgeting:

• Provide leadership in developing monthly, quarterly, and bi-annual strategic plans and  budgets for all ZMBF programs with strong alignment to ZMBF’s focus on nutrition,  reproductive health, women’s and youth livelihoods, and cross-cutting priorities (cultural  heritage, digitalization, climate resilience).
• Ensure program strategies incorporate climate-adaptive practices, digital tools, and  cultural context to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.

Program Development, Implementation, and Quality Assurance: 

• Lead program teams to achieve ZMBF Strategic Plan objectives across nutrition,  reproductive health, and socioeconomic development including seaweed socio-enterprise  development.
• Design and implement programs using community-based, gender-sensitive, culturally  grounded, and climate-resilient approaches.
• Translate program concepts into high-quality grant proposals with clear integration of  digital tools, local heritage preservation, gender responsive approaches and  environmental sustainability.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: 

• Oversee field-level monitoring of program activities to ensure alignment with targets and  cross-cutting outcomes such as climate resilience, digital adoption, and participatory  cultural practices.
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly, annual, and donor-specific reports with emphasis  on measurable outcomes for nutrition, reproductive health, seaweed livelihoods, and  community resilience.
• Strengthen data systems and digital monitoring tools to track progress and enhance real time decision-making.

Annual Operational Plan & Budget 

• Work with Program officers to prepare departmental and project-specific annual plans  and budgets that reflect ZMBF’s strategic priorities and cross-cutting themes.
• Support integration of approved work plans into institutional systems and guide Program  Officers on compliance with timelines, targets, and resource allocations.

Team Management, Development, and Capacity Building:

• Lead, mentor, and supervise the Programs Team to foster collaboration, innovation, and  high performance.
• Strengthen capacity of local partners including women seaweed farmers, youth  enterprises, and community groups on technical, digital, and climate-resilient practices.
• Promote continuous learning on gender equality, human capital development, cultural  sensitivity, and environmental sustainability.

Advocacy, Representation, and Collaboration: 

• Represent ZMBF in national and regional forums on nutrition, reproductive health, blue  economy, cultural preservation, climate action, and digital transformation.
• Advocate for community-driven and culturally grounded solutions that support long-term  well-being.
• Collaborate with ministries, private sector actors, research institutions, and development  partners to scale innovative models.

Partnerships, Networking, and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Strengthen partnerships and alliances that advance seaweed socio-enterprise development, youth employment, community nutrition, and reproductive health  initiatives.
• Lead networking efforts that promote knowledge exchange on digital innovations, climate  resilience, and cultural heritage within development programming.
• Represent ZMBF in learning forums to amplify best practices and build institutional  visibility.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Reproductive Health, Development  Studies, Gender & Development, Marine Science, Business Administration, or  a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in program management or socio-economic  development, preferably in the blue economy sector.
• Strong understanding of women and youth empowerment, particularly in seaweed  farming and community livelihood programs
• Demonstrated experience integrating digital technologies, cultural heritage,  gender responsiveness and climate resilience into program design and  implementation.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills in both Kiswahili and  English.
• Strong project management, financial management, reporting, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiar with digital data  collection tools.

Mode of Application: 

Applicants are requested to submit a formal application accompanied by a detailed curriculum  vitae, photocopies of academic and other relevant certificates, and the names and contact details  of three referees to: recruitment@zmbf.or.tz 

Applicants are requested to clearly state the position for which they are applying in the subject  line of their email. All supporting documentation should be consolidated into a single PDF file. 

The deadline for the application is 31st December 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be  contacted. 

ZMBF is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. ZMBF is committed to principles  of safeguarding in the workplace and will not tolerate any form of abuse, wherever it occurs or  whoever is responsible.