Senior Program Manager

Premium Performance Consulting (PPC) is a specialized Afghan consulting firm providing monitoring, evaluation, third-party monitoring (TPM), independent assessments, verification services, research, data management, and quality assurance solutions for development and humanitarian programs across Afghanistan. PPC has supported a wide range of assignments for UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and government institutions, delivering evidence-based insights, performance measurement, beneficiary verification, and accountability services that strengthen program effectiveness and decision-making.

PPC serves as a strategic domain partner within the Afghanistan Center for Excellence (ACE) Ecosystem. Established in 2012, ACE is a leading Afghan consulting and development services organization with nationwide operations and regional offices across Afghanistan. ACE specializes in private sector development, business development services (BDS), value chain development, livelihoods, workforce development, capacity building, economic inclusion, research, and institutional strengthening, supporting governments, development partners, and private sector actors in achieving sustainable development outcomes.

The advertised position is with the Afghanistan Center for Excellence (ACE) and will contribute to ACE's portfolio of consulting and development assignments. Through the ACE Ecosystem partnership model, the position will benefit from the complementary expertise of PPC and other ecosystem partners, combining ACE's programmatic leadership and technical delivery capacity with PPC's strengths in monitoring, evaluation, verification, and quality assurance to deliver high-quality, evidence-driven development solutions across Afghanistan.

Why Join ACE?

Joining ACE offers a unique opportunity to shape Afghanistan's economic future by leading transformative programs that strengthen businesses, create jobs, and foster inclusive economic growth. You will work alongside a highly respected team of professionals and collaborate with leading national and international institutions on high-impact initiatives that contribute to sustainable development across Afghanistan.

Position Overview

ACE is seeking an accomplished, visionary, and results-oriented Senior Program Manager to lead the organization's strategic portfolio of programs and advisory services. This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving organizational growth, managing complex development programs, expanding strategic partnerships, and ensuring excellence in program delivery.

The successful candidate will provide both strategic leadership and technical expertise, particularly in Private Sector Development (PSD), Business Development Services (BDS), MSME Development, Skills Development, TVET, Entrepreneurship, Value Chain Development, and Inclusive Economic Growth. Working closely with the CEO, clients, development partners, government institutions, and private sector stakeholders, the Program Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping ACE's technical leadership and market position.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Program Management

• Lead the strategic planning, design, implementation, and oversight of complex programs and consulting assignments.
• Develop program strategies, implementation plans, budgets, governance frameworks, and performance management systems.
• Ensure successful delivery of organizational programs while maintaining quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction.
• Identify strategic opportunities for organizational growth and innovation.

Sector Leadership and Technical Expertise

Provide technical leadership across ACE's core practice areas, including:

• Private Sector Development (PSD)
• Business Development Services (BDS)
• MSME and Enterprise Development
• Entrepreneurship Development
• Skills Development and TVET
• Value Chain Analysis and Development
• Market Systems Development (MSD)
• Local Economic Development (LED)
• Inclusive Economic Growth
• Investment Promotion and Public–Private Partnerships

The Program Manager will:

• Lead the design and implementation of enterprise development and private sector competitiveness programs.
• Provide technical guidance on MSME development, entrepreneurship ecosystems, business advisory services, market access, and enterprise competitiveness.
• Lead value chain assessments, market systems analyses, competitiveness studies, and economic sector diagnostics.
• Develop interventions that improve productivity, market linkages, employment generation, and inclusive economic growth.
• Support workforce development and skills initiatives aligned with labor market needs.
• Provide technical leadership for donor-funded projects, consulting assignments, policy advisory services, and sector studies.
• Represent ACE as a recognized technical expert in engagements with clients, development partners, government agencies, and industry stakeholders.

Business Development and Client Engagement

• Lead business development initiatives that expand ACE's portfolio of consulting assignments and development programs.
• Identify new funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Lead the preparation of technical and financial proposals, concept notes, expressions of interest, and consulting bids.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients, donors, development agencies, and private sector organizations.
• Position ACE as a preferred technical partner in economic development and private sector programming.

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead multidisciplinary teams and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
• Mentor technical staff and strengthen organizational capacity.
• Promote continuous learning, knowledge management, and quality improvement across the organization.

Monitoring, Quality Assurance, and Governance

• Establish performance management and monitoring systems for programs and consulting assignments.
• Prepare strategic reports, executive dashboards, and client presentations.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, organizational policies, and international quality standards.
• Lead program reviews, evaluations, and organizational learning initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Public Policy, Management, Entrepreneurship, International Development, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional certification in Project Management (PMP, PgMP, PRINCE2, MSP, or equivalent) will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience

Applicants should possess 10–15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership position, with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Private Sector Development (PSD)
• Business Development Services (BDS)
• MSME and Enterprise Development
• Entrepreneurship Development
• Skills Development and TVET
• Value Chain Analysis and Development
• Market Systems Development (MSD/M4P)
• Local Economic Development (LED)
• Investment Promotion
• Inclusive Economic Growth

The ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience designing and managing donor-funded economic development programs.
• Strong technical expertise in enterprise competitiveness, market systems, value chain upgrading, and private sector engagement.
• Experience conducting market assessments, value chain analyses, business environment studies, and sector research.
• Proven success in proposal development, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and business development.
• Experience working with governments, development partners, UN agencies, international NGOs, financial institutions, and private sector organizations.
• Outstanding leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Private Sector Development
• MSME & Enterprise Development
• Business Development Services
• Skills Development & TVET
• Value Chain Development
• Market Systems Development
• Business Development & Proposal Writing
• Program & Portfolio Management
• Client & Partnership Management
• Financial & Resource Management
• Organizational Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
• Policy & Institutional Development 
• Excellent Presentation and Communication Skills 

Interested candidates should submit:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A cover letter demonstrating relevant experience and motivation
• Contact details of at least three professional references

Applications should be sent to: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.