Country Director Bangladesh Cordaid At Cordaid

Cordaid is an internationally operating value-based emergency relief and development organisation, working in and on fragility.

For the Cordaid Country office in Bangladesh, Cordaid is looking for a

Country Director Bangladesh

Introduction

Throughout the years, Cordaid Bangladesh has developed and implemented activities in the fields of civil society strengthening, food security and nutrition, sustainable livelihoods and private sector development. In times of crises, we save lives through humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness and resilient recovery. Cordaid collaborates in Bangladesh with local and international organisations, several ministries, government institutions, civil society groups, alliances and networks, etc. for wider reach, efficiency, cost effectiveness and sustainability.

Cordaid Bangladesh has also actively supported the institutional build-up of the civil society, as contributors to social cohesion and innovative solutions for social, economic and political obstacles to equitable growth. Time and again we have teamed up with the best partners, together creating sustainable programs: not as once-off solutions, but with the goal of empowering national civil society organizations (CSO) in the long-term and reaching marginal communities, empowering them, and contributing to the inclusive development of the country. Today, many of these CSOs have evolved into highly respected large NGOs, including RDRS, CODEC, and CCDB, which implement projects in the most effective, efficient and accountable manner. Mobilising rural communities and engaging them in developing inclusive sustainable and profitable income generating opportunities and building resilient local agro-food systems is the guiding direction of Cordaid in Bangladesh. The approach is expected to lead to the effective inclusion of marginalized groups into the social safety net structures of the government and social protection of the population who remain under or just above the poverty line. Our programs are created and implemented in partnership with cooperative members in the Netherlands, and 17 local partner organizations, reaching more than 1.5 million people in the country to date.

Position and responsibility

The Country Director will report to the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Cordaid and maintain functional lines with the CFO and CEO. The Country Director works closely together with the local Finance & Admin Director and Program Director. Together they form the Management Team. The Country Director is the line manager for the Business Development Manager and 2 senior project managers based in Cambodia and The Philippines.

General objective and responsibility of the job

• Develop and safeguard strategies of the country and uphold their alignment with the Cordaid strategic compass.
• Networking, representation, and acquisition (fund raising).
• Responsible for realisation of Country Office targets.
• The supervision of Cordaid programmes, finance and operations in Bangladesh.
• Responsible for ensuring Cordaid is an inclusive, diverse, safe (with attention to race, age, gender) and accountable organisation living up to its values (Accountability, Trust, Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability).
• End responsibility for all staff in Bangladesh and a small project team in Cambodia (around 75 FTE);

Specific objectives

• Strategy, cooperation and representation:

Formulates the country strategy for Cordaid Bangladesh in light of political, economic, environmental and humanitarian context, meets regularly and creates partnerships with donors, local and international private sector partners, (I)NGOs, UN agencies, local authorities, government authorities, and represents Cordaid Bangladesh in high-level meetings.

• Funds & business development:

Generates financially viable program pipeline in line with the organisation’s strategy and assist in identifying and securing funding for those programs. Interacts with (potential) local/institutional donors, convincingly presenting the added value of Cordaid as to acquire funds and ensure the future funding for the programme(s) in Bangladesh. Involves relevant staff of Country office and global office in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities

• Business/Action plan:

Translates the agreed Country Strategy into a Work Plan for the Country Office, with specific results in designated project areas while securing the connection with the Cordaid strategy. Monitors the progress, ensures achievements and interdependencies of different projects, considering the developments in the country, and proposes improvements in the chosen strategy.

• Programme Management:

Keeps track of developments within the programme, stimulates coordination between Cordaid countries, monitors overall organisational progress, and makes the necessary adjustments to the programme, considering the business/action plan, governmental policies, donor policies and the allocation of resources and preventing mission creep. Translates the agreed Country Strategy into a Work Plan for the Country Office, with specific results in designated project areas while securing the connection with the Cordaid strategy. Ensures that senior staff carry out their work to the right standard. Ensures narrative and financial reporting are of quality and sent to donors timely.

• Risk Management:

Assesses security, political, administrative and financial risks in projects and offices, and manages the security of the Cordaid team, consultants and Cordaid visitors, according to the Cordaid Safety First Manual.

• Financial Management:

Ensures effective and efficient management of financial resources within the Country Office in such a way that costs stay within set personnel and organisation budgets. Directs employees on set income targets and takes corrective actions if revenues lag behind in the planning. At all times the Country Director is accountable to the donors and benefactors of Cordaid’s projects.

• Personnel Management:

Leads the team in accordance with the management style and social policy of Cordaid, focused on productivity, employee development and satisfaction. Ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work. Coaches staff and leaves room for professional freedom to determine how to execute the work. Builds on the strengths and talents of staff members to improve team performance. Emphasis teamwork, project-based working and commitment. Ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work.

Qualifications

• Academic degree in agriculture, health, economy, business/public administration, international law, social sciences or other subject related to international cooperation;
• Excellent management skills including human resource and financial management, communication and intercultural cooperation skills;
• Extensive experience with multi-stakeholder partnerships and private sector is a must;;
• Experience with human security, health, livelihood, resilience humanitarian and gender programmes is an asset;
• Resource generation (fund mobilization): Proven track record of successful business development experience (grants and/or contracts); additional experience in fundraising preferred.
• Stakeholder management and staff development: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies and lead a strong team in a diverse community; ability to work collaboratively and to foster a cooperative environment with peers in other Cordaid offices.
• A human centered and inclusive approach to management and ability to promote and structure teamwork;
• A networker, entrepreneurial driven c and result oriented.
• Good oral and written communication skills in English language;
• Awareness of external environment and a firm and assertive negotiator;
• Analytical and problem-solving mind;
• Experience in Bangladesh will be an advantage.

Contract information

The contract period is for 1 year starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period. We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package, a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, a holiday allowance, 13th month, and cost of living allowance (if applicable).