Country Director, Nepal
Duty Station: Kathmandu Country Office
Open For: Nepalese Citizen only
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 6 million children by constructing more than 1,500 schools, establishing over 13,000 libraries, publishing 700 new children’s book titles in 11 local languages, and rewarding over 16,000 girls with long-term, holistic scholarships.
Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$44 million and our global staff numbers over 600. 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 an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi, a Southern Africa Regional Office in Pretoria, and program offices in Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane.
Position Overview
The Country Director is the highest position in Room to Read’s in-country organizational structure. The Country Director will steer the in-country senior management team and is ultimately responsible for all aspects of Room to Read’s in-country programs. This position requires ability to lead and oversee the in-country staff in strategic and tactical execution of implementation, coordination, development, expansion, monitoring and evaluation of current and prospective work. The duties will include staff management, organizational development, developing and maintaining relationships with key partners, community building and training, compiling various program, financial, and donor reports, and managing the project funds in accordance with the organization’s procedures. Travel to all provinces where Room to Read works will be required as needed. The position will report to Room to Read’s Asia Regional Director, New Delhi, India.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Assume overall management, development and implementation activities of all programs
- Direct the management team and supervise appropriate 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 staff meetings to assess organizational progress and communicate updates and developments as needed
- Communicate all program-related activities, issues, and updates to headquarters and seek approval for budget activities and any related program developments
- Oversee recruitment and training of staff
- Oversee terms of agreement for consultants and oversee their work
- 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 Operation Director to manage the organization’s legal compliance in Nepal
- 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 be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.
Meetings/Networking:
- 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.
Job Requirements
Minimum Educational Attainment
- Masters degree in Business or Public Administration/ Management / Education
Minimum Professional Experience
- Twelve to fifteen years work experience and five years experience at a senior management level (preferably in INGO sector).
Required Competencies
- Ability to communicate, negotiate and maintain relations with all stakeholders.
- Good knowledge and understanding of education issues, including teaching methodologies and community involvement in schools
- Strong planning, supervising, and program development skills
- Ability to travel frequently to provinces throughout the country
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
- Proven track record of achieving results
- 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:
- 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:
The salary range for this position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and girls' education.
Application Procedure:
Please submit your resume and cover letter by email (no calls, faxes, or drop-ins, please) to nepal.hiring@roomtoread.org OR G.P.O. Box 21103, Kathmandu with “Country Director - Nepal” as the case might be in the subject line.Due to the high volume of applicant response, not all applicants may receive a response from Room to Read.
Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.
Last date for application: 09th March 2012.