Policy, Partnerships and Governance Director:
Chars Livelihoods Programme (Phase 2), Bangladesh
Chars Livelihoods Programme (Phase 2), Bangladesh
Maxwell Stamp PLC is recruiting a Policy, Partnerships and Governance Director for an on-going DFID Programme in Bangladesh that aims to improve the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable households living on island chars.
Maxwell Stamp is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading development consultancies, established in 1959. With experience in over 100 countries, Maxwell Stamp has developed a reputation for successful programme implementation across a wide range of development areas – including a strong track record in managing livelihoods, agricultural, gender, social security and cash transfer programmes. The bulk of Maxwell Stamp’s work is financed by leading international development agencies, including DFID, the World Bank and the European Commission
After implementing the awarding winning Chars Livelihoods Programme Phase 1 and successfully improving livelihoods of over 1 million people, MSP has won the contract to design, implement and monitor the 6-year, £77m second phase. CLP-2 aims to further improve the livelihoods, incomes and food security of extremely poor and vulnerable women, children and men living on remote char islands. The second phase will both deepen and widen the existing programme to an additional 5 districts.
After implementing the awarding winning Chars Livelihoods Programme Phase 1 and successfully improving livelihoods of over 1 million people, MSP has won the contract to design, implement and monitor the 6-year, £77m second phase. CLP-2 aims to further improve the livelihoods, incomes and food security of extremely poor and vulnerable women, children and men living on remote char islands. The second phase will both deepen and widen the existing programme to an additional 5 districts.
The Role:
The Policy, Partnerships and Governance Director will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
• lead in taking current partnerships forward and seek to develop additional partnerships in relevant areas such as in health, education, social security, policy, markets services, handicap, special needs and others as identified by the Government, donor community or CLP management
• develop and follow through a process to ensure the selection and contracting of competent IMOs for all relevant districts under CLP-2. The advertising and selection should adhere to best practice in procurement
• lead on formal relations with all IMO partners, including but not limited to, organising frequent information sharing and management meetings with Executive Directors and (separately) with Programme Managers from CLPs IMO partners
• assist the Programme Director, Team leader and Deputy Team Leader in identifying and researching areas of government policy of interest to CLP’s core participants. Areas of current interest are GoB social security safety nets, island land rights (these are termed khash lands) and improving access to key services (especially education and health)
• lead on maintaining and ensuring the use of the CLP Human Resources & Policy Manual, as well as being the focal point at the CLP for all human resource activities (maintaining confidential files; ensuring that staff evaluation processes occur fairly and on time and that staff performance-related pay occurs correctly; assisting in staff recruitment and in staff disciplinary procedures)
• assist in any corruption investigations and maintain confidential files on any corruption reports and investigations
• be an active member of the Senior Management Team of the CLP and undertake any other technical support as required by CLP Team Leader
The Partnerships Director will work independently on the majority of these issues while retaining close ties with the team leader; particularly should issues arise that require senior management input or decisions. The Partnerships Director will work with the relevant senior managers to ensure that contacts are maintained and the partnership processes driven forward. Where strong linkages have not yet been established, the Partnerships Director should identify suitable partners, make contact and seek to drive the crowd-in processes forward.
The Partnerships Director will be based predominantly in Bogra although frequent visits to Dhaka for meetings with partners and donors will be necessary. The selected candidate is also expected to travel frequently to visit field and district-based partners and CLP recipients on island chars.
Qualifications:
The basic competencies expected of the Policy, Partnerships and Governance Director are as follows:
• experience working with the Government at both central and local levels, as well as considerable experience of working with and managing local and regional NGOs.
• the long-term consultant should be comfortable both with undertaking intense and detailed negotiations with senior-level officials at potential partner organisations while being sufficiently pedagogic to handle delicate human resources issues within the programme and partner organisations. At least 15 years of relevant experience is required
• minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in working with and managing national implementation partners
• a working knowledge of Bangladesh
• highly motivated, with a strong initiative and good judgement. Able to contribute innovative and effective ideas, receptive to new ideas and to take calculated decisions.
• excellent communication and presentation skills. Able to clearly express and present complex ideas and findings. Strong written and spoken English, and a working knowledge of Bangla would be desirable but not essential
• able to demonstrate integrity - particularly relevant for the prevention of and in response to corruption
• excellent interpersonal skills. Able to collaborate with and manage other team members, GoB, IMOs and other external collaborators
The Policy, Partnerships and Governance Director will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
• lead in taking current partnerships forward and seek to develop additional partnerships in relevant areas such as in health, education, social security, policy, markets services, handicap, special needs and others as identified by the Government, donor community or CLP management
• develop and follow through a process to ensure the selection and contracting of competent IMOs for all relevant districts under CLP-2. The advertising and selection should adhere to best practice in procurement
• lead on formal relations with all IMO partners, including but not limited to, organising frequent information sharing and management meetings with Executive Directors and (separately) with Programme Managers from CLPs IMO partners
• assist the Programme Director, Team leader and Deputy Team Leader in identifying and researching areas of government policy of interest to CLP’s core participants. Areas of current interest are GoB social security safety nets, island land rights (these are termed khash lands) and improving access to key services (especially education and health)
• lead on maintaining and ensuring the use of the CLP Human Resources & Policy Manual, as well as being the focal point at the CLP for all human resource activities (maintaining confidential files; ensuring that staff evaluation processes occur fairly and on time and that staff performance-related pay occurs correctly; assisting in staff recruitment and in staff disciplinary procedures)
• assist in any corruption investigations and maintain confidential files on any corruption reports and investigations
• be an active member of the Senior Management Team of the CLP and undertake any other technical support as required by CLP Team Leader
The Partnerships Director will work independently on the majority of these issues while retaining close ties with the team leader; particularly should issues arise that require senior management input or decisions. The Partnerships Director will work with the relevant senior managers to ensure that contacts are maintained and the partnership processes driven forward. Where strong linkages have not yet been established, the Partnerships Director should identify suitable partners, make contact and seek to drive the crowd-in processes forward.
The Partnerships Director will be based predominantly in Bogra although frequent visits to Dhaka for meetings with partners and donors will be necessary. The selected candidate is also expected to travel frequently to visit field and district-based partners and CLP recipients on island chars.
Qualifications:
The basic competencies expected of the Policy, Partnerships and Governance Director are as follows:
• experience working with the Government at both central and local levels, as well as considerable experience of working with and managing local and regional NGOs.
• the long-term consultant should be comfortable both with undertaking intense and detailed negotiations with senior-level officials at potential partner organisations while being sufficiently pedagogic to handle delicate human resources issues within the programme and partner organisations. At least 15 years of relevant experience is required
• minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in working with and managing national implementation partners
• a working knowledge of Bangladesh
• highly motivated, with a strong initiative and good judgement. Able to contribute innovative and effective ideas, receptive to new ideas and to take calculated decisions.
• excellent communication and presentation skills. Able to clearly express and present complex ideas and findings. Strong written and spoken English, and a working knowledge of Bangla would be desirable but not essential
• able to demonstrate integrity - particularly relevant for the prevention of and in response to corruption
• excellent interpersonal skills. Able to collaborate with and manage other team members, GoB, IMOs and other external collaborators
Candidates who are interested and who satisfy all of the above criteria, should send a copy of their up-to-date CV and cover letter to recruitment@maxwellstamp.com,
quoting reference MSP2012H by 7 January 2013.
quoting reference MSP2012H by 7 January 2013.
