Job Title:                          Programme Director

Reports to:                       Country Director

Terms:                               2-year Fixed Term, Full time, accompanied based in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Salary:                               Band 5 (€50,107 - €55, 674)

Requirements:                You will be required to travel frequently to our programme locations

About Concern:               Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose:                  You will report to the Country Director and will directly line-manage a team of senior programme managers and advisers. The size of this team may change, depending on the size and complexity of the programme.

You will be a member of the Country Management Team (CMT). You will provide leadership and foster a culture of excellence in Concern Bangladesh programmes, in accordance with organisational policies and the Country Strategic Plan. You will participate in decision-making on strategic issues, including geographical priorities, programme quality, programme development, identifying funding opportunities and developing quality proposals, partnership strategy, and other organisational priorities. You will be responsible for the effective implementation of all Concern sector programmes (outside of Cox’s Bazar) in partnership with our local partner organisations (Concern Bangladesh’s operating model is committed to localisation). You will work closely with the team to ensure the effective implementation of Concern’s policies and strategies, delivering high-quality programmes with a particular focus on the impacts of climate change and building of partner capacity.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Policies and strategies and government compliances:

• Ensure that relevant Concern policies and strategies are implemented in all programmes.
• Ensure that all Concern programmes are implemented following the Country Strategic Plan and sectoral strategies.
• Orient teams on Concern’s strategies and policies.

Programme Implementation and monitoring:

• In collaboration with our partners, ensure that all programmes deliver results as per donor contracts and organisational quality standards.
• Responsible for expanding the programme and leading the expansion of operational areas in line with the CSP by building on the current funding portfolio – identifying funding opportunities and being instrumental in the development of high-quality funding proposals.
• Coordinate programme activities across projects, sectors, and approaches; supporting staff and partners and ensuring complementarity.
• Lead programming input in all donor proposals.
• Ensure that Concern’s M&E system is implemented effectively to demonstrate progress and results and contribute to learning and future programme development for continuous improvement.
• Undertake monitoring visits to programme areas and provide feedback to programme managers, staff, and partners.
• Ensure optimal use of financial, human, and material resources within Concern’s work, in a transparent and accountable manner consistent with Concern’s systems and procedures, delivering quality results and demonstrating value for money.
• Ensure visibility and external communications for programme launches, successes, and learning. Ensure compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standards during programme delivery.

Emergency response:

• Ensure that an emergency response preparedness plan is developed in all offices and that response readiness is ensured.
• Ensure timely and effective responses by Concern and partner teams.

Funding, proposal development and financial management:

• Identify funding opportunities in conjunction with the Country Director.
• Contribute to the development of a funding strategy for the Bangladesh programme.
• Coordinate the development of high-quality funding proposals
• Ensure effective financial management of all programme interventions.
• Prepare programme budgets in collaboration with programme and finance staff. Track programme expenditure through monthly management and quarterly financial accounts prepared by the finance department.

Partners and sub-grant management:

• Ensure that the partnership strategy is implemented effectively in all programmes.
• Ensure that partner capacity assessments and capacity-building plans are implemented properly and equitably.

Human Resources Management:

• Provide structured capacity building and coaching for programme staff to address operational challenges, using existing resources tailored to specific staffing needs.
• Participate in (and often lead) the recruitment of senior programme staff, as required.
• Liaise consistently with the Operations Director (OD) and the Country Financial Controller (CFC) to ensure that systems/operations and finance are aligned for programme delivery.

Representation and networking:

• Represent Concern at relevant government, donor, UN, or inter-agency coordination meetings.
• Keep abreast of significant developments in the external context and support the Country Director (CD) in making informed and appropriate decisions.

Reporting:

• Ensure the submission of high-quality reports to donors for all programmes as per grant agreements.
• Ensure high-quality internal reporting in a timely manner, as required.

Senior management role:

• Contribute to organisational decision-making as a member of the Country Management Team.
• Support change management efforts.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as may be assigned by the Country Director and deputise for the Country Director as necessary.
• All managers are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, demonstrating leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
• All managers are required to actively participate in any emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements:

Essential:

• Undergraduate and/or Postgraduate qualification in social sciences, management, Humanitarian action or relevant technical field (a Climate and Resilience related background would be of advantage)
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in developing and managing emergency and development programmes (with at least 3 years at a senior level)
• Strong past performance in leading on innovative programming approaches.
• Proven track record in staff management and working with partners.
• Experience in using participatory approaches.
• Proven experience of managing both humanitarian emergencies and longer-term programming.
• Empathy with Concern’s core values and policies.
• Flexible and adaptable to a changing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines.
• Proficient spoken and written English.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in the region
• Experience in management programmes in complex fields/countries.
• Experience in leading a multi-disciplinary team.

To apply:

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. We will respond to every applicant. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date.

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality. 

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a disability e.g. a hearing impairment - please let us know and we will do our best to respond to your needs.  

Important information:

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking. 

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.