About this role
Startupistan Impact Ventures gUG is a Berlin-based nonprofit building pathways to digital skills, entrepreneurship, and dignified employment for underrepresented communities.
We design and implement programs across Germany and international markets, including partnerships with global institutions, foundations, and corporate actors. Our focus areas include digital workforce development, AI & tech education, entrepreneurship incubation, and inclusive economic participation.
We work at the intersection of innovation, social impact, and execution.
The Role
We are seeking a Program Manager who can both manage and scale international programs.
This is not a traditional administrative role. We are looking for someone with:
Strong institutional experience (e.g., UN agencies, GIZ, large NGOs, multilateral donors) Operational excellence in multi-country programs An entrepreneurial mindset Comfort working in fast-moving, founder-led environments
You will oversee program implementation across regions, manage donor relationships, ensure compliance, and help us expand into new markets and partnerships.
You will work closely with the Founder and leadership team to translate strategy into execution.
Tasks Key Responsibilities
1. Program Management
Lead end-to-end implementation of international programs (e.g., digital skills, entrepreneurship, workforce development initiatives) Coordinate multi-country teams, local partners, trainers, and stakeholders Manage timelines, deliverables, KPIs, and reporting cycles Ensure donor compliance and quality standards Oversee budgets and financial tracking in collaboration with finance
2. Institutional & Donor Engagement
Manage relationships with institutional partners (e.g., UN agencies, GIZ, EU programs, foundations) Prepare narrative and financial reports Support proposal development and concept notes Identify new funding and partnership opportunities Represent Startupistan in high-level meetings and events
3. Scaling & Strategic Development
Identify scalable program models Improve operational systems and documentation Develop frameworks for replicating programs in new regions Support strategic partnerships with corporates and training institutions Contribute to organizational growth planning
4. Team Leadership & Coordination
Coordinate internal and external stakeholders Provide structure and clarity across projects Build simple but strong monitoring & evaluation systems Foster a culture of ownership and accountability
Requirements We are looking for someone who combines institutional discipline with entrepreneurial energy.
Required
5+ years of experience in program management in international development, workforce development, or education Experience working with UN agencies, multilateral organizations, or large donors Strong project management skills across multiple countries Experience with donor reporting and compliance Budget management experience Excellent written and spoken English (German is a plus)
Strong Plus
Experience in fragile or emerging markets Experience in digital skills, AI, entrepreneurship, or TVET Proposal writing experience Familiarity with impact measurement frameworks Experience scaling programs from pilot to multi-region implementation
Personal Attributes
Entrepreneurial and solution-oriented Highly structured but adaptable Comfortable in ambiguity Strong communicator Mission-driven and impact-focused Hands-on and execution-oriented
Benefits What We Offer
The opportunity to build and scale meaningful international programs Direct exposure to institutional partnerships and strategic growth A high-impact role with real ownership A founder-led, fast-moving environment Competitive salary based on experience Flexible working structure
Startupistan is entering its next growth phase. We are building scalable models that combine:
Institutional partnerships Tech-enabled workforce development International expansion
We need someone who can turn ambition into structured execution.