Job Opening: Program Manager
Start Date: Q3 2026
Salary: Compensation is based on the country of hire and within the range of the local nonprofit/NGO industry.
Location: Remote (Work from Home)
Benefit:This role may require frequent travel throughout the year. Not to exceed more than two weeks at a time.
Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) is seeking a Program Manager to join its mission to transform streets around the world. This role is supported by the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and will lead the coordination and delivery of technical assistance activities in selected cities in the region and support GDCI on other cross-cutting initiatives, including advancing the local adoption of global best practices summarized in GDCI’s publications.
The Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) was launched in 2014, with a mission to transform streets around the world. We inspire leaders, inform practitioners, and invite communities to imagine what’s possible when we design streets that put people first. We are a team of designers, planners, and urban strategists committed to re-imagining streets as places for people, shaping cities that are safe, healthy, accessible, and equitable for everyone. The strategies and best practices in our Global Street Design Guide are the foundation of our work, and they have been applied in cities across the globe, helping to update policies, build local capacity, implement and evaluate projects, and scale up impact.
What You’ll Do
The Program Manager will work closely with local stakeholders in select African cities alongside the full global GDCI team, reporting directly to the Regional Program Lead, and work very closely with the Regional Design Lead. This role will lead technical assistance in up to three cities in the Africa region. You will be expected to develop strong relationships with city staff, ensure the technical accuracy of street design recommendations, develop visual and written content, organize capacity-building sessions, and represent GDCI in external regional forums.
Program and Project Management
- Manage and oversee city-level technical assistance projects in alignment with global road safety goals.
- Manage budgets and resources associated with program delivery in select countries
- Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, reporting, and internal communications with senior staff and funders.
- Understand, manage, and foster relationships with various stakeholders, including city officials, government agencies, local embedded staff, and vendors to secure project buy-in and permits.
- Represent GDCI in stakeholder engagements and ensure timely follow-up, tracking project budgets and consultant contracts.
Technical Assistance and Content Development
- In close coordination with relevant GDCI staff, oversee and review the development process and drafts of technical drawings, designs, and visual materials using AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Support on-site analysis, street transformation implementation, data collection (e.g., observational studies), and post-implementation metrics collection for project impact evaluation.
- Research and interpret local, national, or international design codes to identify opportunities for street safety improvements.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
- Organize, facilitate, and manage workshops, trainings, and briefings based on GDCI’s technical resources (e.g., Global Street Design Guide, Streets for Kids).
- Adapt global best practices to the local African context in close coordination with regional partners. Staff Supervision and Administrative Ownership
- Own time management, work plans, and prioritization of technical assistance work with minimal supervision.
- Supervise, coach, and evaluate the growth of GDCI staff and manage consultants assigned to the region.
- Support the preparation of contracts, funder reports, and filing all project documents in adherence to internal processes.
Who you are
To be successful in this job, you must be a proactive project owner who can balance technical street design skills with highly effective stakeholder management. You must be comfortable working with a globally distributed team, accommodating meetings outside standard local hours, and traveling within the region (with some travel outside the region). You must be willing to accommodate the schedule of a globally based team; as such, there may be regular phone calls or meetings outside normal work hours.
- Experience working with cities through a lens of mobility, urban design, or public health, and being able to apply those experiences in new contexts.
- Experience managing projects or programs and working with cities or clients (involving delivering scope, deliverables, and managing timelines and budgets), preferably in Africa
- Experience conducting or managing work in the field, examples may include: management of data collection, supporting pilot urban interventions, community outreach/engagement, and understanding potential challenges that arise when on-site
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to represent GDCI’s objectives externally to stakeholders and internally in collaborating with a diverse team
- Managing people either directly or in directly on various projects in a collaborative way towards program goals and objectives.
Baseline Experience
GDCI does not have minimum requirements for education or professional experience. We look for diversity in relevant and differing experiences and professional backgrounds. Generally, we expect that employees will have the following baseline experience for a Manager:
- Six years of relevant professional experience; OR
- Four years of relevant professional experience with an undergraduate degree; OR
- Two years of relevant professional experience with a master’s degree
- Candidates must have working proficiency in office software such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Slack.
- Working knowledge of Auto CAD, Rhino 3D, or SketchUp is preferred. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and In Design may be needed for specific projects.
Working Conditions
Physical Requirements
- This role is performed remotely within the country of hire, at an average of 40 hours a week.
- There may be routine expectations of participation in non-standard work hours (i.e., 9:30 – 17:30 local time).
- This role may require frequent travel throughout the year. Not to exceed more than two weeks at a time.
Supervision Responsibilities
- May supervise associates, coordinators, interns, fellows, or consultants (when available); responsible for guiding/supporting their work and providing feedback on performance. Accountable for meeting the outcomes and deadlines associated with the supervisee’s projects.
- Gives candid, clear, constructive, and respectful feedback to colleagues as part of project management responsibilities; receives feedback with grace and as an opportunity to learn and grow.
How to Apply
- Deadline for applications: Applications accepted on a rolling basis please don’t delay! Final deadline is July 15, 2026.
- Submit applications: Through GDCI’s application portal. If you need support, please contact careers@gdci.global
- Attachments: Include a cover letter and resume (CV) detailing relevant work experience. Additional attachments demonstrating program management, street design, and communication skills are encouraged.
- Benefits: GDCI offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including health coverage,retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays. Salary is based on local markets within the nonprofit/NGO industry and commensurate with experience and skills.
GDCI is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA). We are committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color,religion, national origin, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a passionate working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.
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