Associate Director, Programs | Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh At Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a non-profit faith-based organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. HFHI, through its branch HFH Bangladesh (HFHB), is currently looking for interested and qualified candidates for the position of Associate Director in Programs.

This position will directly report to the HFH Bangladesh’ National Director, and will be responsible for the overall development and management of HFHB’s key programs on Sustainable Housing Innovation; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Disaster Response and Risk Reduction (DR3); Urban Slum Upgrading; and Response to the Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN). The role is going to lead a team of 15+ program staff and is expected to strongly collaborate with other relevant HFHB staff, colleagues in the HFHI network, and appropriate external strategic and operational partners in Bangladesh.

Main Responsibilities:

Operations Management:

• Lead activities relating to the planning, implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of HFHB programs in accordance with HFHI’s strategy and standards
• Assist the National Director in the development of HFHB’s FDMN response, including the set-up of the Cox’s Bazar project office
• Collaboratively develop strategic and operational plans for the program department, including development of the annual program plan and the annual budget, and maintaining a risk register
• Establish proper coordination, communication and monitoring to ensure successful implementation of projects in accordance with the mission principles, policies, procedures and guideline of the organization
• Oversee the implementation of all current programs and projects, including timely and accurate submission of high-quality reports to HFHI entities, donors and other relevant partners
• In consultation with the National Director and Head of Human Resources, lead the workforce planning and budgeting, recruitment, onboarding, performance management and career development of program staff. Ensure diverse representation within the team.
• Organize and attend weekly departmental meetings to maintain effective communication
• Ensure effective procurement in programs, and adherence to Habitat procurement policies.\
• Coordinate closely with the HFHB Finance Department and the HFHI Asia Pacific Office Finance team to ensure detailed, consistent, accurate and timely reporting of expenditures and project projections; this includes donor financial reporting.

Program Design and Resource Development

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to formulate effective new ideas and innovative strategies for product development, project and program development, or partnership opportunities, in alignment with the HFHB’s strategy and standards.
• Work closely with HFHB Resource Development team and Technical Team in developing competitive project proposals to increase funding opportunities and maximize impact.
• Together with the Head of Resource Development and with guidance from HFHI, maintain strong networks with sector leaders and donors, particularly with the Foundations, Organizations, Institutions (FOI) donors to pre-position HFHB for upcoming funding opportunities and to strengthen HFHB’s competency in the FOI market.

Program Quality and Technical Management

• Establish and grow the Technical Team in HFHB that will house subject matter experts to develop/strengthen program quality standards in accordance with HFHI strategic framework and adapted to the local Bangladesh context
• Ensure that program quality standards are integrated in HFHB’s program lifecycle and appropriately shared to peer organizations and government partners to influence their programming and policies.
• Supervise the MEAL Specialist in the development of program evaluation strategies and frameworks to assess the strengths of the program and to identify areas for improvement
• Ensure effective accountability to beneficiary systems are in place to inform program design and implementation
• Proactively coordinate with HFHI Asia Pacific Office Program Development and MEAL teams to ensure learning from HFHB programs is incorporated into HFHI practices, and that MEAL systems for programs align with organizational standards

Partnerships and Strategic Linkages

• Assist the National Director in representing HFHB with external constituency groups — including government actors, community, non-government organizations, and private groups — to advocate for adequate housing in Bangladesh
• Support the ND in establishing and maintaining relationships with relevant national government ministries (e.g. Ministry of Housing and Public Works) and regulatory bodies (e.g. NGO Affairs Bureau) to create a supportive operating environment for HFHB and explore project partnerships and opportunities for housing advocacy.
• Foster strategic relationships with influential stakeholders that improve HFHB programming, such as BUET, etc.
• Ensure that program teams maintain collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders at their level (e.g. cluster sub-hubs, local government)
• Proactively coordinate with the HFHI Asia-Pacific Office Program Operations Department.

Leadership

• Lead, inspire and motivate program staff, fostering a culture of accountability, humility, courage, stewardship, learning, collaboration and teamwork.
• Provide effective and inspiring leadership, direction, motivation and stewardship to program staff to cultivate a team culture and develop future leaders
• Participate as member of the HFB Senior Management Team (SMT), providing strategic and programmatic analysis and feedback ensuring decisions for the organization in achieving organizational mission
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Active support, role modeling, and adherence to the Habitat for Humanity’s Values and Safeguarding Commitment

• Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
• Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
• Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
• Safeguarding – HFHB requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Requirements:

• Education: A degree in Civil Engineering/ Architecture or Master’s Degree preferably in Development Studies/Social Science/ Economics/Statistics/ Geography or relevant field of study from a recognized university;
• Experience:
  • 10 + Years’ experience in Management role of Development sector is mandatory.
  • Extensive experience working with Institutional donors and/or managing projects funded by Institutional donors
  • Experience in related field i.e., engineering, construction, housing and human settlements, management, disaster risk reduction and response, community developments, etc.
• Competencies:
  • Attention to detail and strategic thinking
  • Able to perform strategic planning including setting organizational objectives, overseeing competitive analysis, strategy communication and opportunity recognition in the corporate or non-profit sector
  • Able to design and coordinate detailed business planning that defines the implementation of strategic plans through a given period of time, with clearly defined metrics and outcomes
  • Results-driven and team player with highly developed interpersonal skills
  • Excellent oral presentation and written skills in both English and Bangladeshi Language
  • Able to work effectively in cross-cultural settings; can support, negotiate and cooperate with those of other cultures
  • Fundamental understanding of low-cost housing technology
  • Has well-developed understanding of project management cycle including proposal development, implementation and monitoring
  • Excellent reporting writing skills
  • Excellent presentation and analytical skills
  • Demonstrated leadership and decision-making skills;
  • High moral character with integrity and honesty;
  • Stewardship of resources, transparency and accountability

Salary: Negotiable based on competency of the selected candidate with all other regular benefits as per organizational policy.

• Our organization is committed to promote equal opportunities for women and men from different caste, ethnic and religious backgrounds and encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for all our positions. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. Telephone enquiries or any form of persuasion will lead to disqualification.