Country Director, Program Operations

Country Director, Program Operations

Room to Read

Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

Position Overview:

The Country Director (CD) has the overall responsibility for the strategic leadership and direction for the Room to Read (RtR) country program to achieve the organizational vision, mission, and objectives. The CD leads the in-country senior management team and is responsible for all programmatic and operational aspects of the programs. The CD represents RtR with the Government at all relevant levels and with local and international organizations within the country. The CD leads in developing, overseeing implementation, reviewing and monitoring results of the country’s program goals, objectives and targets maintaining program fidelity, cost efficiency and effectiveness. The CD embodies the core values of Room to Read. Travel to all districts where Room to Read works will be required as needed. This position is based in Tanzania Country Office and reports directly to the Regional Director, Program Operations – Africa.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities:

Strategy and Program Development, Implementation and Management:

• Develop country-specific strategies, aligned with the overall Room to Read strategy and ensure timely reviews and updates. Align and update the strategy as needed. Provide the leadership for the development, management, and implementation of all program activities in line with the overall Room to Read strategic plan and the country context;
• Provide leadership to the Country Management Team (CMT) to ensure that program activities are carried out in accordance with organizational requirements and in a timely manner with attention to quality;
• Develop and maintain consistent, clear and timely communications and reporting for all country-related activities, issues, and updates with the relevant Global offices;
• Develop and manage relationships with senior government officials at the national and subnational level; schedule and attend meetings with them as needed to coordinate planning and implementation of projects;
• Develop strategies and actions that address organizational priorities and conduct strategic and operational planning exercises;
• Work with relevant in-country and Global Offices staff to strengthen and improve program impact and sustainability. Develop branding and thought leadership strategy in collaboration with the global colleagues;
• Effectively implement planning and review systems to ensure delivery against plans and appropriate reporting and monitoring;
• Follow the grant lifecycle timeline and process to plan and implement custom projects in the country, while working closely with the global office counterparts;
• Visit field offices and project sites as needed to support staff; engage local school and community leaders; and maintain clear visibility and knowledge of the successes and challenges of operations in the field;
• Participate in any other activities which may be required to fulfill the objectives of the organization.

Financial and Resource Management and Control:

• Provide oversight to all financial and administrative functions in the Country Office ensuring full compliance with applicable policies, manuals and legal conditions;
• Oversee the development and implementation of the annual country budget in accordance with established organizational goals and targets;
• Oversee organizational and logistical support of program-related activities;
• Ensure the audit findings (internal and external) are resolved, and future course of actions decided and implemented;
• Ensures technology inventory and operations are in place and well-maintained;
• Ensure that adequate internal controls mechanisms are established and followed;
• Ensure systematic budget monitoring and review is conducted;
• Ensure effective grant management systems are in place for accurate, timely reporting and compliance with donor conditionality and requirements, and Grant Lifecycle Process steps are followed diligently;
• Ensures legal compliance in all areas including Audit, taxation, employment law, insurance, contracts and other Room to Read requirements.

Human Resources Management and Organizational Development:

• Provide management expertise and leadership to a technically diverse team and create a work environment that promotes high-performing teams and a focus on Values in Action;
• Lead regular senior management and staff meetings to assess organizational progress and communicate updates and developments as needed;
• Promote behaviors and ways of working that are aligned with RtR’s values and organizational culture. And proactively notices and addresses individual and team’s performance and behavioral issues;
• Provide leadership and direction to organizational-level initiatives related to staff wellness and engagement;
• Ensure that core values of the organization are adhered to, and all statutory compliances are met;
• Adopt a collaborative process of decision-making; ensure all staff are heard and encourage functional conflict.

Compliance and Ethics Incident Response

• Ensure maintenance of a country corruption/incident register(s) and liaise with the Global Office whistleblower team, and other teams as needed, in the resolution of all reported incidents;
• Ensure internal reporting of any allegations of ethics violations, including fraud and corruption, procurement and incidents involving potential reputational risks.

Compliance and Ethics Training and Awareness

• Guide the team on the implementation of future Global Office or country ethics policies and procedures, acting as a catalyst for change and acceptance and supporting smooth implementation;
• In coordination with onboarding processes, assist with the onboarding of new country team members to ensure awareness and understanding of fraud and corruption policies.

Representation and External Relations:

• Develop and manage relationships with other I/NGOs, government officials and appropriate educational facilities/authorities; schedule and attend meetings with them as needed to coordinate planning and implementation of projects. In close coordination with the Global Office and Relationship managers (RMs), represent RtR at relevant donor meetings and assist in planning and hosting donor visits.

Security and Risk Management:

• Ensure that appropriate contingency plans for emergencies are in place in accordance with global guidelines;
• Proactively assess and highlight risk areas to ensure safety and security of Room to Read staff and assets.

Resource Development

• In liaison with the Global Development and Communication Team, identify fundraising opportunities and guide in the development of quality proposals to build and diversify the country’s resource base;
• Keep abreast with trends within the region and Tanzania specific to guide fundraising initiatives and donor profiling;
• Meet and establish relations with existing and potential donors to build strong fundraising networks.

Qualifications and Experience:

Required:

• Master’s degree in business or public administration/management/education/related field;
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior management capacity (preferably in INGO sector);
• 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. Excellent communication skills, ability to work under stress, patience, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills; and positive attitude;
• Ability to communicate, negotiate and maintain relations with all stakeholders;
• Strong planning, supervising and program development skills;
• Ability to travel frequently to districts throughout the country;
• Strong verbal and written communication skill;
• Proven track record of achieving results;
• Experience developing and/or implementing large-scale literacy; girl’s education; or other community development initiatives;
• Fundraising experience.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in a related field, i.e. education, development;
• Extensive experience of work in an INGO sector;
• Prior experience working in rural/development areas;
• Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials;
• Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks as well as developing and implementing improvements in a prior position;
• Experience developing and/or implementing large-scale social-education initiatives.

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