Country Director

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

Room to Read is a global organization transforming the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, our innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools during two time periods that are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations, and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. By focusing on the quality of education provided within the communities and ensuring these outcomes are measured, we have created a model that can be replicated, localized and sustained by governments. Room to Read has benefited 16.8 million children across over 37,000 communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Grenada, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

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

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The position will require performing the below given job responsibilities not limited to:

Program Development, Implementation and Management

• Provides leadership for the development, management, and implementation of all program activities in line with the overall Room to Read strategic plan and country context; 
• Directs the Country Management Team (CMT) and supervises staff, providing them with all the necessary assistance to ensure that program activities are carried out in accordance with Global Office’s requirements and in a timely manner with attention to quality;
• Develops and maintains consistent, clear and timely communications and reporting for all country-related activities, including those of implementing partners, issues, and updates GlobalOffice;   
• Develop strategies and action plans that address organizational priorities and conduct strategic and operational planning exercises;
• Works with relevant in-country and Global Office staff to strengthen and improve program impact and its sustainability;
• Effectively implements planning and review systems to ensure delivery against plans and appropriate reporting and monitoring;
• Visits partner, field offices and project sites as needed to support and monitor staff; engages with local school and community leaders; and maintains clear visibility and knowledge of the partner organizations’ successes and challenges of operations in the field;
• Manages relationship with RtR’s key partners in Nepal;
• Participates in any other activities which may be required to fulfill the objectives of the organization.

Financial and Resource Management and Control

• Provides oversight to all financial and administrative functions in the Country Office ensuring full compliance with applicable policies, manuals and legal conditions;
• Oversees the development and implementation of the annual country implementation budget in accordance with established organizational goals and targets;
• Monitors and reviews organizational and logistical support of program-related activities to the partner organizations;
• Ensures that adequate internal controls mechanisms are established and followed;
• Ensures systematic budget monitoring and reviews are conducted;
• Ensures effective grant management systems are in place for accurate, timely reporting and compliance with donor conditionality and requirements;
• Ensures legal compliance in all areas including 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 creates a work environment that promotes high performing teams;
• Oversees timely recruitment and training of staff;
• Conducts staff appraisals and identifies and ensures support for staff capacity building needs;
• Conducts regular senior management and staff meetings to assess organizational progress and communicates updates and developments as needed;
• Promotes behaviors and ways of working that are aligned with RtR’s values and organizational culture. 

Representation and External Relations

• Develops and manages relationships with other NGO’s, government officials and appropriate educational facilities/authorities; schedules and attends meetings with them as needed to coordinate planning and implementation of projects;
• In close coordination with Global Office, represents Room to Read at relevant donor meetings and assist in planning and hosting donor visits.

Security and Risk Management

• Develops and maintains appropriate contingency plans for emergencies in accordance with global guidelines;
• Ensures all staff understand and complies with established policies.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 

• Master’s Degree in Business or Public Administration/Management/Education;
• 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;
• Ability to communicate, negotiate and maintain relations with all stakeholders;
• Strong planning, supervising and program development skills;
• Ability to travel frequently to provinces throughout the country;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Proven track record of achieving results;
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiatives;
• Experience in developing and/or implementing large-scale literacy, girls’ education, or other community development initiatives.

COMPENSATION:

• Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits; benefits includes 13th month bonus, provident fund, accidental insurance for staff,medical insurance for staff and their family, leaves and staff professional development.
• The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing, transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.
• To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also: 
• 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;
• Flexible in working nature and strong in team building.

Application Procedure:

Please submit you application online by visiting the link: https://osv-rtr.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/RoomToRead/job/Nepal---Main---Lalitpur/Country-Director_R-00971. Please upload your cover letter and CV in the system (no letters, calls, faxes, e-mails or drop-ins). Due to high applicant volume, we regret that we are not able to send personalized responses to all applicants.  Applications are accepted until the position is filled.   

Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.