Company Description SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that applies practical know-how to make a lasting difference in the lives of peopleliving in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our top-notch expertise in agriculture, energy and WASH to local contexts. SNV has over 1250 staff in more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational excellence.
In its new Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV will more explicitly aim for systems change during project preparation and implementation - by strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects. We will continue to position ourselves as a premium organisation and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the front line.
For more information on SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org
Job Description
SNV seeks a talented, entrepreneurial, result-oriented and experienced professional who will lead the Nicaragua and Honduras country team in realising the implementation of high-quality programs in SNV’s sectors including tightly overseeing country operations. The winning candidate can be based in Managua or can work on a fly in/fly out basis.
The Country Director is responsible for leading and driving the country program. It is a multi-faceted role, focused on securing adequate funding to sustain operations, upscale and strategically strengthen the country program, while ensuring compliance and high-quality delivery of project results. It will require the Country Director to be well informed about national and international development priorities and steer the sectors in response to these priorities. The Country Director will forge partnerships and alliances between SNV and important national and international actors and stimulate collaboration for impact in SNV sectors. He/she will also be the face of SNV in the country and ensure its positive image and visibility. In the scenario that country operations do not become self-sustainable through project financing the Country Director in consultation with the Managing Director will also initiate a close out plan of the country operations.
The Country Director is responsible for leading and driving the country program. Other responsibilities include strengthening country financial and business controls to ensure compliance and high-quality delivery of project results.The Country Director will lead, coach and support a team of professionals to perform at their best to meet and exceed client, donor and SNV corporate expectations. In addition, she/he will be a key member of SNV’s global extended management team, making meaningful contributions to help shape the future of SNV.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Business development to grow the country programs, ensure financial sustainability and ensure a high-quality fundable project design;
- Representation and profiling: building partnerships and maintaining excellent relationships with donors, partners, local governments, businesses, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders;
- Oversight and quality assurance of implementation of the country program including project director role for projects as well as final responsibility for the finance and human resources;
- Strong and supportive leadership and management of the country team: creating and nurturing an environment that supports high performance, learning and teamwork at all levels; including managing close out of operation, if required;
- Collaboration with other SNV countries to effectively exploit opportunities for synergy, deliver at scale (including multi-country projects), exchange knowledge and strengthen SNV’s position.
Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline;
Relevant Experience
- At least 8 years of relevant management experience at strategic level;
- Demonstrated business development experience in winning large tenders and grants from multilateral development banks and bilateral donors;
- Strong management skills including track record in financial management and human resources including experience in managing close out of country operations;
- Proven ability of establishing partnerships and consortia to mobilise resources;
- Knowledge and understanding of the international development context and trends in SNV’s three sectors, including familiarity with key financiers and actors in SNV’s three sectors;
- Strong business and people management capabilities with a focus on results and entrepreneurial skills;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
- Proven track record in project management including familiarity with donor funded project procedures and process;
- Ability to relate with and manage relationships with government at federal and local levels;
- Ability to coach, lead, stimulate, and inspire professionals in a development context;
- Culturally aware, tactful and open minded;
- Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Spanish is required.
Additional Information
Terms of Appointment
This is an international position with the successful candidate being contracted until the end of 2020 with the possibility of renewal. Appointment can be either as a staff or as a consultant. Duty station is preferably Managua, Nicaragua but is flexible. Salary/fees is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. In case of a staff contract, a pension plan, life and medical insurances are included in the benefits package. Desired start date for this position is as soon as possible.
SNV is a global organisation committed to bringing different people, ideas and perspectives together. We invite especially women to submit their application as we want to increase the number of women in leadership positions.
Key Steps in the Selection Process
- Please submit your application via SmartRecruiters on or before 07 February 2020 if you wish to be considered for this position. All information will be in the strictest confidence. We will revert to you as soon as feasible when we have reviewed your application.
- During the recruitment process, SNV will require your cooperation in completing a Competency Profile when long listed for this position.
- We will require that you provide us with full details of three people who are willing to act as a referee. We will not contact these referees without your explicit permission. Please note that reference checks may be conducted prior to your face-to-face interviews.
- Should SNV wish to proceed with your application two interviews with the Selection Committee will take place.
- After your interviews with the Selection Committee, we will advise you of the Committee’s decision as soon as possible.
