iDE Global – Country Director, Bangladesh

Country Director, Bangladesh

About iDE

For 40 years, iDE has been a leader and pioneer in market-based approaches to development, helping nearly forty million people navigate their way out of poverty. We strongly believe that markets are the most powerful force for a significant, widespread, and lasting impact on rural prosperity. iDE’s mission is to create income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households. Our track record speaks for itself as we have increased the average annual household income of the people, we reach by $220. Stemming from our own research and development, we design products and business models to give communities and rural businesses the tools to increase their incomes and improve their wellbeing. iDE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Denver, USA, with an annual budget of $33.5 million, over 1,000 staff in 14 offices globally, and funding since inception from more than 150 donors. iDE currently operates 11 country programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

About iDE Bangladesh

iDE Bangladesh is the oldest iDE country program having operated continuously since 1982. Registered with the Government of Bangladesh since 1984, iDE Bangladesh has reached over 10 million people during the last 39 years, iDE Bangladesh’s impact started with the commercialization of the treadle pump, eventually selling over 1.5 million units. The country program works in close coordination with the Government of Bangladesh and its various development initiatives. Over the last three decades, iDE Bangladesh has grown from a small non-government organization (NGO) focused on smallholder irrigation to its current US$6 million portfolios of programs focusing on agriculture, food and nutrition security, WASH, clean energy and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Current funding comes from USAID, FCDO, the European Union, UNICEF, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Embassy of Switzerland). iDE Bangladesh has a presence in over 150 Upazilas (sub-districts) and over 25 districts through its regional project offices and its country office in Dhaka. iDE Bangladesh has strong ties with the Government of Bangladesh specifically with the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension; Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives. Currently, iDE Bangladesh has a total staff of 199 individuals (including technical, management and field staff).

iDE’s Global Presence

Values

We believe in the right of poor women and men to a secure livelihood.

We believe that markets can be a powerful force for enabling prosperity.

We regard the rural poor as our clients. They are customers, producers, and entrepreneurs.

We value innovation and entrepreneurship.

We are results oriented, aiming for significant impacts for large numbers of people.

The Role

Role: Country Director, Bangladesh

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Benefits: Circa US$80k - US$120k. iDE offers a robust benefits package that includes medical & life insurance, paid time off, and retirement contribution.

At iDE, we are passionate about real change that gives people the power to prosper on their own terms. Working with our social enterprises, small businesses, and farmers, we create opportunity through human centered design projects that keep the needs of our clients at the core. We are proud of our successes to date. iDE has increased the incomes and improved the livelihoods of more than 35 million people by developing inclusive market ecosystems that enable more people to participate in the economy, exercise choice through economic freedom, and achieve their aspirations. We believe our staff are our most important resource. By attracting and retaining passionate trouble-shooters who seek more than the status quo, we are able to drive real change.

We are looking for a leader who shares this passion and commitment.

Our Country Director must understand how market systems operate and have a proven track record of fostering the development of inclusive businesses. This position requires the right kind of competencies in designing products and services for the ‘base of the pyramid’ to create social and economic impact.

Above all, our Country Director must know how to lead, motivate, and inspire a team of highly passionate individuals.

We offer a leadership position in one of the world’s most entrepreneurial organisations, using business to solve poverty with profit.

Bangladesh is iDE’s longest running as well as one of its flagship programs employing 220 people (97% national staff) with an annual budget of USD 5 million from a diverse set of donors. The Bangladesh team implements world-class programs in WASH, agriculture, and SME incubation/ acceleration. It is developing opportunities in climate smart technologies working closely with private, public, and social partners in creating sustainable services and business strategies for iDE projects and external clients.

This position will be based in Dhaka with an expectation of up to 25–35% travel within Bangladesh. Some international travel will also be expected.

The Country Director reports to the Global Operations Department and receives support from iDE headquarters staff based in Denver, Colorado and our senior leaders and technical staff throughout Africa, Asia, and Central America. The Country Director also works closely with the iDE offices in Canada and the UK when funding is generated from those offices.

The Country Director is responsible for ensuring that iDE’s mission, staff, finances, assets, and legal standing are vital in Bangladesh.

Position Summary

The Country Director (CD), Bangladesh is responsible for every aspect of program activities in Bangladesh, including:

• Strategic leadership in contextualizing iDE’s moon shot and related strategy for the Bangladesh program.

• Country program planning, implementation, and performance review.

• Developing a pipeline of high impact work in Bangladesh.

• Financial leadership and accountability for iDE Bangladesh programs.

• Maintaining a high level of public identity and strategic relationship in Bangladesh for iDE.

• Staff management, mentoring, coaching and development.

This position reports directly to the Global Operations Department and receives technical and other support from iDE headquarters staff, iDE Canada, and from other Country Directors and their technical staff. The CD works closely with the iDE offices in Canada and the UK, when funding and program implementation are generated from those offices. As iDE’s representative in-country, the Country Director has responsibility and accountability for all of iDE’s finances, assets and legal standing in Bangladesh.

Who we are looking for We are looking for someone who shares iDE values, passion, and commitment. Our selected Country Director must have well developed analytical and financial skills, understand how market systems operate, have a good comprehension of inclusive business models, and must bring leadership and technical competencies to ensure products and services are designed with ‘base of the pyramid’ clients to create inclusive social and economic impact. Above all, our new Country Director must know how to lead, motivate, and inspire a team.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop coherent, high impact strategies to support iDE’s moonshot and position the country program to deliver the mission objectives through strategic partnerships, innovative program design and business development activities.

Resource Generation

Raise funds for the implementation of iDE Bangladesh programs and their expansion by coordinating with international donors and other funding sources. This includes responsibility for:

• Development of funding strategies.

• Identification of potential funding sources.

• Securing grants.

• Cost recovery of appropriate organizational expenses.

• Preparation and submission of proposals with coordinated budgets.

Program Management

Day-to-day management of programs including:

• Appointment and supervision of program staff for iDE Bangladesh.

• Review of existing accomplishments, target achievements, and strategies to date.

• Implementation of effective decision-making systems –including internal management, etc.

• Overall reporting and communication internally and outside iDE.

• Implementation and reporting for all projects.

• Responsibility for ensuring that program design is in compliance with iDE’s corporate mission and objectives.

• Responsibility for ensuring compliance with donor and iDE rules and regulations on program implementation.

• Annual review of the performance service providers and grantees.

Finance and Administration Management

Provide administrative and financial management consistent with iDE organizational policies and procedures – in close cooperation with Operations and Finance– to the iDE program in Bangladesh. This includes responsibility for:

• Appointment and supervision of financial staff for iDE Bangladesh with support from with the Operations and Finance teams.

• Overarching governance of all administrative and financial controls and systems for all aspects of the Bangladesh program.

• Responsibility for ensuring that administrative and financial procedures, practices and reporting are effective and in compliance with iDE standards and general accounting and administrative guidelines.

• Responsibility for ensuring that all Bangladesh field offices are run in compliance with established administrative and financial procedures.

• Responsibility for ensuring adherence to relevant Bangladesh Government regulations concerning operations of not-for-profit organizations in Bangladesh and for maintaining the good legal standing of iDE in Bangladesh.

Human Resource Management

Consistent with iDE organizational policies and procedures and in close cooperation with Operations and other iDE

headquarters staff, develop and manage Human Resource functions for all iDE Bangladesh a personnel including:

• Strategic inputs in the preparation of job descriptions.

• Identification, funding and hiring of senior management personnel.

• Development and implementation of salary and benefit policies and procedures.

• Leadership and governance of internal committees to manage issues related to discipline and grievance issues.

• Implementation of annual performance reviews for senior management staff.

• Quality control of staff induction, professional development and training.

• Compliance with Bangladesh’s labor laws, insurance and tax regulations.

Liaison

Maintain collaborative relationships at all levels of the organization, by:

• Ensuring good communication with iDE headquarters, iDE UK, and iDE Canada, including timely submission of program reports, financial reports, planning documents and reports to donors.

• Ensuring good communication with other iDE country programs and committees.

• Developing and maintaining excellent working relations with relevant donors, national and regional governments, and NGO, public and private sector representatives.

• Participating in collaborative efforts with other NGOs, national and local governments, donors, public and private sector partners.

iDE Global 8

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, International Development, Economics or related field or equivalent experience with at least 4 years, 6 preferred of relevant senior management experience required. Master’s degree preferred.

• Ability to think innovatively and to see where opportunities exist for iDE to use technology (GIS, ICT, etc.) for planning and implementing operations.

• Technical knowledge of WASH, market systems programming, agriculture, nutrition, climate smart technologies, financial inclusion, investment, trade facilitation etc.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies and lead a strong team in a diverse community.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively and to foster a cooperative environment with peers in other iDE offices.

• Proven track record of successful business development experience (grants and/or contracts); additional experience in fundraising preferred.

• Proven know-how in monitoring and evaluation and adaptive management and track record of working in multi-cultural environment.

• Proven ability to manage and effectively use financial management information systems.

• Strong management and problem-solving skills; effective use of independent judgment.

• Proficiency in MS Office suite; experience with G Suite preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Frequently required to perform work outside normal work hours.

• Frequently required to travel domestically and/or internationally, sometimes in difficult environments.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Diversity Statement

iDE takes pride in our talented and diverse workforce. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Hiring, promotion, and compensation of employees are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

How to Apply

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter. Please provide a CV and cover letter in two documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy), e.g., Selima-HuqCV-122022-iDE or Selima-Huq-CoverLetter-122022-iDE.

Timeline

Closing Date: 23rd January 2023

First stage interviews: TBC Final interviews: TBC

Selection Process

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe sender’s list and check their spam folder regularly.

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of iDE Global values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email ide-bangladesh@oxfordhr.com in the first instance.

About Oxford HR

Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at the board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search and an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often global searches designed to meet our client’s specific needs.