iDE Global - Country Director, Nepal

Country Director, Nepal

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 Nepal

iDE has worked in Nepal since 1992, from irrigation and highquality seeds to, more recently, rural collection centers where farmers can sell their produce. We provide simple innovations that help rural communities get out of poverty and adapt to climate change.

Over the past 30 years, iDE Nepal continues to create income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households in Nepal, with a focus on on the creation of market ecosystems, impacting people’s lives through agricultural improvements, crop science, enhanced sanitation MUS, resilience to climate change, gender equality promotion, and many possible future applications. We look at the market, the entire value and supply chain, as holistic, striving to ensure that it is competitive, resilient, and inclusive.

iDE Nepal invests in the design and initial promotion of these technologies and engages the local private sector to ensure that the supply chains for these products are well-established and resilient. iDE Nepal has been working towards promoting modernization and risk mitigation strategies throughout three thematic areas, including agriculture, water and sanitation (WASH), and access to finance.

Some of our key existing projects are FTFNIPM (Feed the Future Nepal Integrated Pest Management, an associate award from USAID Nepal Mission), CSISA-COVID Response and Resilience Activity (funded by USAID and being implemented by CIMMYT and iDE), and RePLANT (Reducing Post-harvest Losses through Access to New Technologies, funded by USAID). At present, iDE Nepal has a total of 54 people working together to achieve a common goal with a substantial impact in 55 districts in Nepal. We have reached over 3,374,893 people so far.

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, Nepal

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

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 terms. Working with our social enterprises, small businesses, and farmers, we create opportunity through human-centred 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 38 million people by developing inclusive market ecosystems that allow 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. We can drive real change by attracting and retaining passionate troubleshooters who seek more than the status quo.

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 competencies in designing products and services for the ‘base of the pyramid’ to create social and economic impact. Our ongoing Nepal program strongly emphasises agriculture and WASH in rural communities, with projects spanning digitisation of the last mile, integrated pest management, business development services to support smallholder producers, financial inclusion and fintech, and sanitation marketing.

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

Established in 1992, Nepal is one of iDE’s most innovative and high-impact programs employing nearly 55 people with an annual budget that ranges from USD 2-4 million from a diverse set of donors. The Nepal team implements world-class climate-resilient agriculture and WASH programs and excels in private-sector partnerships for technology commercialisation. Additionally, iDE Nepal has a long history of developing resilient market ecosystems working closely with communities in remote rural locations and linking them to rewarding market opportunities.

The Country Director reports into the Global Operations Department, receiving support from iDE headquarters staff based in Denver, Colorado and from 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 iDE’s mission, staff, finances, assets, and legal standing are strong in Nepal.

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

Position Summary

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

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

• Country program planning, implementation, and performance review.

• Developing a pipeline of high impact work in Nepal.

• Financial leadership and accountability for iDE Nepal programs.

• Maintaining a high level of public identity and strategic relationship in Nepal 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 UK, 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 Nepal.

Who 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.

Impact Delivery

Drive impact in line with iDE’s global impact strategy. This includes responsibility for:

• Ensuring delivery of high-quality impact in partnership with our clients that enables them to prosper on their own terms.

• Understanding and securing funding for the main impact drivers across the Nepal portfolio.

• Learning from other iDE programs and global peers to deepen impact for our clients.

Resource Generation

Raise funds for the implementation of iDE Nepal 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 Nepal.

• 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.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

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 Nepal. This includes responsibility for:

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

• Development and maintenance of all administrative and financial controls and systems for all aspects of the Nepal 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 Nepal field offices are run in compliance with established administrative and financial procedures.

• Responsibility for ensuring adherence to relevant Nepal Government regulations concerning operations of notfor-profit organizations in Nepal and for maintaining the good legal standing of iDE in Nepal.

Human Resource Management

Consistent with iDE organizational policies and procedures and in close cooperation with Operations, Global HR, and other iDE headquarters staff, develop and manage Human Resource functions for all iDE Nepal personnel including:

• Preparation of job descriptions.

• Identification, funding, and hiring of personnel.

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

• Discipline and grievance issues.

• Implementation of annual performance reviews for all staff.

• Staff induction, professional development and training.

• Compliance with Nepal’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, Applied Economics or related field or equivalent experience, with 4 years of relevant senior management experience required, and 6 years or more preferred. Masters’ Degree is a plus.

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

• Technical knowledge of at least one of the following: market systems development, agriculture, nutrition, WASH, climate-smart technologies, financial inclusion, and impact investment, among other potential areas of growth for iDE. Experience in more than one area is preferred.

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

Proven track record cultivating staff to achieve their highest potential.

• 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 fundraising, business development (grants and/or contracts), and donor communications and management.

• Proven know-how in monitoring and evaluation and adaptive management and track record of working in multicultural environments.

• 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 and G Suite/Google Workspaces.

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., LaxmiGurung-CV-122022-iDE or Laxmi-Gurung-CoverLetter-122022-iDE.

Timeline

Closing Date: 13th 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-nepal@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.