Room to Read Vacancy: Country Director – Bangladesh

Job Vacancy

Position: Country Director – Bangladesh
Duty Station: Dhaka with travel in districts where Room to Read works
Deadline for application: 17 July 2014
Assume starting date: As soon as possible

Open for: Bangladeshi citizen only

Contract Length: Two year contract initially with the possibility of renewal based on Performance

Organization profile:

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

We are non-governmental, non-religious and work with many local NGOs and community based organizations to implement our programs. We currently work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia – countries with a desperate lack of resources to educate their children. Since our inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted over 7 million children by constructing more than 1,600 schools, establishing over 15,000 libraries, publishing 800 new children’s book titles in 11 local languages, and rewarding over 20,000 girls with long-term, holistic scholarships.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7 million and our global staff numbers over 500. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. We have a Global Asia Office located in New Delhi and program offices in Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane.

Since operations began in 2008, our Bangladesh team has focused its efforts on constructing schools, establishing libraries, introducing reading-writing instruction program in early grades, publishing children’s books to ensure all children have access to the materials they need to complete their education. We are also engaged in closing the gender gap in Bangladesh, having launched our Girls’ Education program in 2009. We currently operate in Sirajganj and Brahmanbaria district through partnership with local NGOs and started operation in Natore district from this year through direct implementation model.

Position Overview:

The Country Director (CD) is the topmost position in Room to Read Bangladesh. The CD steers the in-country senior management team and is ultimately responsible for all aspects of Room to Read’s in country programs. This position requires the ability to lead and oversee the in-country staff in strategic and tactical evaluation of implementation, coordination, development, expansion, monitoring and evaluation of current and prospective work. The duties include staff management; organizational development; developing and maintaining relationships with key partners and government officials; community building; compiling various programs, financial, and donor reports; and managing the country funds in accordance with the organization’s procedures. Travel to all districts where Room to Read works will be required as needed. This position will report directly to the Asia Regional Director.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assume overall management, development and implementation of all program activities ;
• Direct the management team and supervise staff, providing them with all the necessary assistance to ensure that program activities are carried out in accordance with headquarter requirements and in a timely manner with attention to quality;
• Conduct regular senior management and staff meetings to assess organizational progress and communicate updates and developments as needed;
• Communicate all country-related activities, issues, and updates to the Global Asia Office and seek approval for budget activities and any related program developments;
• Oversee recruitment and training of staff;
• Conduct staff appraisals and identify and ensure support for staff capacity building needs;
• Visit project sites as needed to supervise the site and organize discussions with the school management team and local authorities. Gather feedback and ensure that they deliver on their portion of the challenge grant and on all terms of agreement with Room to Read;
• Oversee organizational and logistical support of program-related activities;
• Develop ideas that address organizational priorities and conduct strategic and operational planning exercises;
• Work with relevant in-country and headquarter staff to strengthen and improve program impact and sustainability;
• Work with the Program Operations Director to manage the organization’s legal compliance in Bangladesh;
• Provide management expertise and leadership to a technically diverse team and create a work environment that promotes high performing teams;
• Participate in any other activities which may be required to fulfill the objectives of the organization.
• Explore opportunities for partnerships and knowledge sharing with NGOs, experts and institutions involved in related education initiatives;
• Develop and manage relationships with other NGO’s, government officials and appropriate educational facilities/authorities; schedule and attend meetings with them as needed to coordinate planning and implementation of projects;
• Represent Room to Read at relevant meetings and assist in planning and hosting donor visits;
• Provide regular updates on program activities and plans at weekly meetings with Program Director;
• Submit Quarterly management progress reports to Director, Asia and to government counterparts

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Business or Public Administration/Management/Education;
• A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior management capacity (preferably in INGO sector or UN);
• A management style that is outcome-oriented, but flexible, which respects the capabilities and independence of staff, while providing them with a clear sense of direction and enabling their success;
• Excellent interpersonal skills – a capacity to listen well and inspire trust;
• Ability to communicate, negotiate and maintain relations with all stakeholders;
• Strong planning, supervising and program development skills;
• Ability to travel frequently to provinces throughout the country;
• Strong verbal and written communication skill in English and Bangla; 
• Proven track record of achieving results;
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative;
• Experience developing and/or implementing large-scale literacy initiatives

To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker that tries new things and inspires others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Compensation:

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. The benefits include: i) Provident Fund, ii) 13th Month Bonus, iii) Discretionary Performance Bonus, iv) Gratuity v) Health coverage including spouse and children, vi) Insurances, vii) Professional Development opportunities. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and gender equality in education.

Application procedure:

Please send a cover letter and CV via e-mail, with “Country Director” in the subject line to asia.hiring@roomtoread.org Due to high applicant volume; we regret that we cannot send personalized responses to all applicants. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

You also can visit the Room to Read web site: http://www.roomtoread.org

Last date for application:  17 July 2014

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

loading...