Director, Africa Region at BRAC

Job Purpose:

This position will lead the development and implementation of organisation’s strategy and building the organization’s brand, communications and reputation in the region to create meaningful impact for the region and beyond. The Regional Director will have direct oversight over country programs across the region.

Major Responsibilities:

• Articulate a compelling vision for the region and support country programs in setting country strategies. Strategically position BRAC International for new opportunities in the region and prioritize and oversee the preparation of concept papers and proposals.
• Guide and support the management of country level strategic planning and successful implementation of country operations achieving coherence with BRAC’s vision, mission and values. Promote thought leadership by ensuring that program innovations and successes are tested, analyzed, documented, and effectively communicated externally and internally.
• Explore, evaluate and present innovative funding opportunities that support the objectives for the region as a whole. Proactively engage with donors to shape and influence their strategies and funding priorities for areas that BRAC deems critical for transformational change in the region.
• Directly manage Country Representatives and develop their leadership and management capacity. Ensure effective senior management team structures in each country.
• Liaise effectively with Director, Sectoral Development and technical teams at the head office to ensure quality control and technical assistance to countries.
• Support Country Representatives in building in-country partnerships, government and donor relationships, fundraising and advocacy activities.
• Develop and nurture culturally sensitive internal and external relationships and networks to ensure optimum communication and programme success.
• Oversee regional budget and other regional initiatives (Approximately 80 to 100 Million USD yearly).

Safeguarding:

• Establish a safeguarding culture across all level of the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Responsible to ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.

Additional:

• Support country teams to resolve legal issue
• Organize national and international workshops/seminars to represent the BRAC and commence new initiatives
• Attend different national/ International events
• Representation in external forums, country visits, advocacy
• Develop country teams’ skills

Relationship to other roles:

• Within Program: Executive Director, Director Programmes, Country Directors, Unit Heads, and Sector Specialists.
• Outside Program: BRAC Bangladesh, BRAC UK, BRAC USA team, donor community, different ministries, Chairperson of NGO Boards etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in any discipline
• 15+ years’ experience in a senior management position preferably in an NGO/INGO managing complex programmes, including administration, budgetary management, staff supervision, training, country security management and risk evaluation, country stakeholder management
• Experience of working in regional role/s in reputed INGOs is highly preferred
• Working experience in multiple countries preferable
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with multiple stakeholders and multicultural staff and work team supervision and development
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy work and knowledge of at least one sector BRAC works in

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Professional knowledge in diverse development approaches
• Demonstrable leadership, organizational, managerial and communication skills
• Understanding of international social, political and economic issues and regional particularities
• Understanding of BRAC core competencies so that program knowledge and skills can be transferred
• Entrepreneurial and proactive
• Possess a professional attitude and diligence, and able to work independently as well as in a team
• Proven skills in networking and relationship building
• Strong analytical and information gathering skills
• Willingness to often travel to the project site when required