Vacancy: Programme Manager

Company Profile

Options Consultancy Services Limited is a leading global health consultancy established in 1992 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Marie Stopes International. We manage health programmes that ensure vulnerable women and children can access the high-quality health services they need. We work with partners to co-create and implement locally informed solutions to complex health problems. This includes governments, development partners, NGOs, civil society and health workers. Our programming is flexible, evidence-based and politically informed. This means we adapt to changing contexts, use data to inform our decisions and ensure our approach is appropriate. Our focus is always on building local skills and systems that last. Our headquarters is based in London, UK with offices in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Nepal

Job Description

Main purpose of role

Options Consultancy Services seeks a Programme Manager to be accountable for the effective and efficient project management of the Obia Nkae Eisire (ONE) programme

The UK Department for International Development in Ghana (DFID Ghana) leads the UK’s efforts to reduce poverty in Ghana. DFID Ghana’s programmes currently focus on economic development, governance and human development. As Ghana moves towards self-reliance and DFID Ghana shifts its approach to supporting economic transformation and institutional strengthening, this programme will support the Government of Ghana to ensure the poorest and most vulnerable are not left behind.

 The overarching objective of the ONE programme is to support people with disabilities and mental health, neurological and substance use conditions (MNS) to improve their health and wellbeing and ensure they are engaged, empowered and able to enjoy improved social and economic outcomes and rights. This will be achieved through four outcome areas, which align with Ghana’s (draft) National Mental Health Policy and Strategic Plan;

• Governance: Leadership, governance, policy and systems strengthening for mental health and leave no one behind.


• Services: Quality mental health services are scaled up to provide a balanced model of care in Ghana, integrated into primary health care and community-based rehabilitation; support - mental health and disability.


• Inclusion: Reduced stigma, discrimination and human rights violations; empowerment and capacity building of Disabled Peoples Organisations (to include grant making)


• Research: Applied knowledge and evidence base; Increase use of disaggregated data by disability status.

The Programme Manager will be responsible for the efficient project management of long-term technical assistance and short-term consultancy assignments for a variety of clients, within the Options Ghana portfolio.

The post holder will work closely with the Options’ wider team to ensure that all work is carried out to high standards. The Programme Manager will also support the development of the organisation as a whole.

Required Skills or Experience

Person specification
To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Significant experience of working in international development at Programme Management level


• Extensive experience of the development and implementation of programmes


• Experience in distance management of relations between a head office and an internationally-based team


• Experience of managing large, complex donor-funded budgets


• Experience of close working relationships with partners and consortia


• Experience of networking to build successful relationships with potential clients, collaborators and consultants