Programme Manager

Workplace Circumstances

• Environment: Office
• Languages: English, Khmer
• Location: Phnom Penh

Position Summary

Department & Location: Governance Programme, Phnom Penh

Report to Deputy Director – DD

Purpose:

The Programme Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating, and managing CPDD’s portfolio on Governance, ensuring its alignment with the 10-Year Strategic Directions (2021–2030) and Six-Year Implementation Plan (2025–2030). The role spearheads initiatives that strengthen sub-national democratic development, civic engagement, fiscal transparency, and public service delivery.

The position also plays a central role in advancing democratic accountability through policy influence, partnership-building, and evidence-based advocacy at national, sub-national, and regional levels.

Dimensions of the Position:

The Programme Manager plays a pivotal role in delivering CPDD’s Strategic Goals #2 (Enhance democratic accountability) and #3 (Influence national policy and decisions), particularly focusing on local governance reform and sub-national accountability systems. This position leads cross-cutting programme interventions and manages a portfolio of complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Programme Design
• Lead the design and implementation of CPDD’s D&D-focused programmes (e.g., Local Budget Program, CRVS Budget Advocacy, AWD Project).
• Translate CPDD’s Strategic Goals #2 and #3 into actionable work plans under the D&D Programme.
• Contribute to CPDD’s overall strategic planning and programme development processes, especially in areas of local governance, decentralization reform, and civic accountability.
• Programme Management and Delivery
• Oversee day-to-day implementation of D&D projects, ensuring timely delivery of activities, outputs, and milestones.
• Lead the preparation of project proposals, budgets, and donor reports (narrative and financial) in collaboration with Admin/Finance and MEAL teams.
• Ensure integration of gender equality, social inclusion, and ICT innovations into D&D programme interventions.
• Policy Engagement and Advocacy
• Facilitate policy dialogues with government stakeholders (e.g., NCDD-S, MoI, MEF, NASLA, ASAC, and others) and civil society partners.
• Lead evidence-based advocacy on issues such as fiscal decentralization, sub-national service delivery, citizen participation, and local budget transparency.
• Represent CPDD in relevant technical working groups, forums, and strategic events on decentralization and democratic development.
• Capacity Building and Networking
• Support capacity building for CPDD members, sub-national administrations (SNAs), and community actors on D&D, citizen engagement, and fiscal governance.
• Coordinate knowledge exchange activities, learning events, and coalition-wide forums on D&D practices and lessons learned.
• Strengthen coalition-level coordination to expand civic space and promote inclusive local governance.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
• Collaborate with MEAL Manager to ensure MEL tools and practices are embedded in the D&D programme.
• Document field experiences, success stories, and case studies to inform learning and advocacy.
• Contribute to quarterly and annual reporting, impact assessments, and strategic reflections.
• Team Leadership and Supervision
• Supervise D&D programme managers, senior officers, officers, assistants, and interns.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to ensure staff capacity and motivation.
• Coordinate closely with other programme leads to ensure coherence and synergy across CPDD’s interventions.

Languages

• Khmer - Fluent
• English - Fluent

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in public administration, Political Science, Development Studies, Law, or related field.

Work History

• Progressively responsible experience in program management related to decentralization, democratic governance, or civil society engagement for 5 years as a minimum

General & Technical Skills

• Experience working with local governments, CSOs, and development partners on D&D reform.
• Proven experience in advocacy, policy influence, and project management, including budgeting and donor reporting.
• Strong understanding of Cambodia’s SNDD reform process and policy framework.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills in both Khmer and English.
• Ability to manage multi-stakeholder partnerships and represent CPDD in high-level dialogues.
• Knowledge of fiscal transparency, civic engagement tools (e.g., ISAF, citizen scorecards), and ICT in governance is an asset.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and political sensitivity.
• English and Khmer are excellent in both writing and speaking

Soft Skills

• Strong commitment to CPDD’s mission and values on democratic accountability and good governance.
• High integrity and accountability in managing resources and partnerships.
• Constructive, diplomatic, and respectful in engaging with government and civil society stakeholders.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, promoting cross-programme coordination and member engagement.
• Adaptive to changing political and policy contexts.
• Inclusive and rights-based in approach, ensuring marginalized voices are considered.
• Proactive, strategic, and solution-focused in driving programme outcomes.
• Committed to continuous learning and innovation in local governance and civic engagement.