Job Description

Terms of Reference

Short-Term Consultant: SIDP Project Delivery Lead (South Africa)

Project: Skills for Inclusive Digital Participation (SIDP), South Africa

Background

The Skills for Inclusive Digital Participation is a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded project implemented by the British Council. It contributes to Pillar 1, Models & Enablers of UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, by building digital literacy and basic digital skills for underserved communities in order to make inclusive digital access locally relevant, meaningful and productive.

The project builds the capacity of digitally excluded individuals, specifically young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, women, and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD), to help them develop the digital competencies they need to take part in digital life and online activities safely. With this, it contributes to enhancing livelihoods through entrepreneurship that leverages online resources and markets.

The project has been implemented since April 2021 and runs till March 2027. It is implemented in Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil and Uganda.

Objective

The British Council seeks an experienced Project Management Consultant to provide strategic and operational leadership for the implementation of SIDP activities in South Africa. The consultant will manage programme delivery, oversee delivery partners, support procurement and contracting processes, monitor budgets and performance, maintain stakeholder relationships, and contribute to monitoring, evaluation, research, learning and reporting (MERL).

Duration

The consultancy is expected to commence as soon as possible and conclude on 31 March 2027. This is a hybrid consultancy, with a minimum of 3 days office work per week.

The project may extend the scope and/or timeline based on the availability of funds; new deliverables may be agreed upon with the project team.

Responsibilities and Deliverables

Programme and Project Management

The consultant will:

• Lead the day-to-day planning, coordination, management and quality assurance of SIDP activities in South Africa.

• Conduct rapid analysis and assessments to inform programme delivery, adaptation and decision-making.

• Develop and maintain implementation plans, project trackers, risk registers and reporting tools.

• Initiate and manage the delivery of digital skills training activities over a five-month implementation period, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards.

• Identify and address implementation risks and propose mitigation measures.

Procurement, Contracting and Partner Management

The consultant will:

• Lead procurement processes for delivery partners, consultants and suppliers in compliance with British Council policies and procedures.

• Support the development, contracting and onboarding of delivery partners.

• Manage partner performance, deliverables, reporting requirements and contractual obligations.

• Review deliverables, invoices and supporting documentation and ensure timely processing of payments.

Budget Monitoring and Reporting

The consultant will:

• Monitor programme budgets and expenditure against approved plans and financial targets.

• Produce monthly budget and performance reports.

• Ensure effective financial forecasting and value-for-money principles across programme activities.

• Maintain accurate programme records and documentation to support internal governance and audit requirements.

MERL Support

The consultant will:

• Work closely with the programme team and MERL consultants to support implementation of the programme MERL framework.

• Support data collection, reporting, learning reviews and documentation of programme outcomes and success stories.

• Contribute to donor, management and programme reporting requirements.

Stakeholder Management and Communications

The consultant will:

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with government stakeholders, implementing partners, training providers, organisations representing persons with disabilities, and other relevant ecosystem actors.

• Represent the programme at meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagements as required.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen programme impact, collaboration and sustainability.

• Contribute content and updates that communicate programme achievements and lessons learned.

Management and Reporting

The consultant will work closely with the SIDP regional and country teams and will report to the designated British Council programme manager. The consultant will operate in a hybrid working environment, with travel within South Africa required as necessary.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

The consultant should demonstrate:

• A bachelor's degree in project management, development studies, social sciences, education, ICT, international development or a related field.

• Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent).

• A minimum of five years' experience managing donor-funded programmes or projects.

• Demonstrable experience leading digital skills, digital inclusion, employability or skills development programmes.

• Experience working with underserved communities, including people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and persons living with disabilities.

• Proven experience managing procurement, contracting and delivery partners.

• Strong financial management, budget monitoring and reporting experience.

• Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting processes.

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills.

• Strong written and spoken English.

Cross-Cutting Requirements

The consultancy must be delivered in accordance with British Council policies and standards relating to:

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

• Safeguarding and Adults at Risk

• Child Protection

• Conflict Sensitivity

• Data Protection and Information Security

Expected Outputs

• Finalising rapid assessment and analysis reports, as required.

• Procurement and contracting documentation for delivery partners.

• Monthly programme progress and budget reports.

• Updated risk register and implementation tracker.

• MERL inputs, lesson-learning documentation and success stories.

• Final consultancy completion report by March 2027.

Expressions of Interest and total fees

Provide an expression of interest that outlines your knowledge, experience and qualifications, a plan of how you will achieve the assignment. Attach your Curriculum Vitae, and at least 3 reference letters from recent assignments (at least 5 years) in PDF format.

Fees per month will amount to ZAR63,000 max per month inclusive of taxes. Invoice will be paid on submission of monthly timesheet. Consultants are responsible for managing their individual income tax.

Applications closed date: 24 August 2026