DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR - PROGRAM

Job Summary:

CARE is one of the world's leading international humanitarian and development organizations, committed to helping people in poor communities improve their lives and alleviate poverty. Founded in 1945, CARE is working over 100 countries to fight global poverty and marginalization. CARE has been active in Bangladesh since 1949 and is one of the largest programs in CARE confederation. Women and girls are at the core of all CARE programs because they represent half of the marginalized group and it is not possible to overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE Bangladesh works to implement programs with long-term impacts that result in sustainable changes for the extreme poor and marginalized communities.

CARE is seeking an adaptive development program leader as Deputy Country Director - Program (DCD-P) who will be responsible for ensuring that CARE Bangladesh's programs contribute to CARE's 2030 vision and Country Program strategies. The DCD-P is expected to provide strategic leadership in the areas of program development, implementation and impact at scale. A major emphasis in this position is to play a strong managerial role in ensuring that projects are designed and implemented to the highest standards for quality and accountability along with delivering the desired impacts in making a significant contribution to reducing poverty and social injustice.

The DCD-P is responsible for overseeing the development of program strategies appropriate for the specific environments in which CARE works S/he manages a program team focused on the design, funding, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs and that effectively address the underlying causes of poverty in line with CARE's Programming Principles. S/he must also ensure that systems and people are in place to ensure the proper management of those projects and programs. S/he works closely with, and is supported by program units at regional and CARE USA HQ levels, as well as with other CARE International members.

A key focus of the position is on business development and the incumbent will be expected to lead innovative and adaptive program design and development. The incumbent will be expected to show high levels of understanding in a diverse range of programming areas, in particular women's empowerment, private sector and social enterprise engagement across the impact groups: woman and girls, extreme rural poor, and marginalized urban.

The DCD-P is a key member of the Country Office Senior Management Team and as such is responsible for leading and supporting diverse CO initiatives. S/he is responsible for (along with the CD) maintaining best possible working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Staff Management

• Provide proper supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective and coordinated Program team.

• Conducts periodic talent and leadership mapping for bolstering CO strategy and new talent acquisitions.

• Ensure the proper implementation of CARE's performance management system for direct reports, including job description and individual performance development, regular feedback, mid-term reviews and annual performance appraisals.

• Ensuring staff are adequately trained and understand the objectives for their role

• Proactively address performance issues through regular, constructive and honest feedback and coaching.

• Identify necessary staff development, career development and succession planning strategies for direct reports.

• Coaching, mentoring and assisting budget holders to develop accurate budgets

• Ensure that space and incentives are available to allow staff to develop and innovate.

• Oversee the recruitment and orientation of new senior program staff.

PROGRAMME QUALITY

• Oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of country office programs and projects and ensure that they are in line with CO strategies and with the CI Programming Principles.

• Ensure systems and plans are in place to guarantee that CO programs/projects are designed and implemented based on sound analysis, address the underlying causes of poverty and achieve measurable positive impact.

• Work with staff and partners to generate viable programs in line with CO strategy, identify and secure funding for those programs.

• Ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to demonstrate impact and that program lessons are being used to promote improved programming and learning. Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems enhance accountability of COs vis-a-vis the communities with whom we work as well as other stakeholders (civil society, donors and government counterparts).

• Work with the CD to oversee the development and implementation of a CO advocacy agenda that supports CO programs and in line with CO and CI strategic priorities.

• Ensure that GED issues are properly considered and addressed in all programs/projects.

• Establish mechanisms for knowledge sharing and learning between projects and programs within the CO and with parties beyond the CO, ensuring that lessons learned are consolidated and used to inform ongoing and future practices.

• Promote and model a culture that recognizes and supports innovation, risk taking and leaning, and encourages active participation in wider CARE and non-CARE learning initiatives.

Program Management

• Ensure that CARE programs and projects are managed in a manner which achieves the program/project goals, is in line with CARE policies and procedures and demonstrate sound resource stewardship management.

• Ensure that qualified staff and appropriate policies, procedures and systems are place to properly manage CARE's development programs/projects.

• Work closely with DCD-Humanitarian and Resilience in building CO level program synergies.

• Monitor the CO development programs and projects to ensure that these are on budget, on scope and on time.

• Work with the program teams and DCD PS and actively identify and manage ongoing fiduciary and reputation risks

• With SMT, ensure proper management of financial and other resources entrusted to CARE's programs and projects, including the review and approval of program/project budgets (including project matches) and the monitoring of budget reports (including the proper recording of matches).

• With DCD PS, ensure donor and government reporting is undertaken to agreed standards and in a timely manner.

• Work closely with units in Program Support (finance, procurement, HR, transport, etc.) to ensure best possible coordination exists for efficient program implementation.

• With the DCD PS, ensure strong commodity/material management, and accountability where applicable.

• Regularly review and ensure that the most efficient CO program management structure is established and functional in order to ensure program quality and the cost efficient achievement of project objectives.

Program Strategy

• Lead the preparation and implementation of the overall CO Program Strategy in line with the CO's Strategic Plan, national development plans, the CI vision and programming principles and current CARE programming priorities.

• Lead the preparation of program strategies with other DCDs based on sound contextual analysis and in alignment with CARE 2030 Vision and regional strategies.

• Ensure that all programs and projects designed and implemented by the CO remain in line with these program strategies and contribute to achieving the objectives of the CO Strategic Plan.

• Oversee periodic review of the operating environment and ensure, together with the SMT, that the country office’s role and business model transition follows coherence and an agreed-upon timeline.

• Seek strategic partnerships necessary to promote CARE's vision and programming principles and ensure that partners understand the COs program strategies.

• Ensure adequate resources are secured for program activities from both grants and the private funds in line with the CARE Bangladesh Prorgarm Strategy.

Relations and Partnerships

• Develop and enhance relationships with between the CO and other parts of CI to ensure maximization of coordination, support, knowledge sharing, and strategic alignment so that the Country Office can maximize its impact on poverty and social justice.

• Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant – counterparts/departments of the government, CI members, the locally-represented multi/bi-lateral donors, donors, and partner agencies (e.g., USAID, DFID, SIDA, etc.), the UN system, foundations, international and national NGOs, CBOs and other civil society organizations.

• Identify issues to be addressed to heighten donor and government accountability and maintain a positive image and good visibility for CARE amongst these groups.

• Support and work effectively in coalitions, networks and social movements.

• Contribute to national dialogue on poverty reduction strategies and related issues.

• Ensure timely reporting and communications with CI members, donors, government and other key actors.

• Ensure cordial media relations and act as CARE spokesperson as required.

Adhere to and support CARE Bangladesh’s Safety and Security policy and systems

As part of this role, the job holder will be expected to adhere to and support CARE Bangladesh’s Safety and Security policy and systems as part of their day to day duties, and comply, at all times, to safety & security protocols and directives, including reporting. Staff must maintain situational and self – awareness and be aware of the safety – security related consequences of their actions upon themselves, their team and the organization as a whole.

Safeguarding

CARE is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and expects staff to promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at all times. CARE expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our Code of Conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate this commitment are recruited to work with us.

Working Conditions:

This is Dhaka Based position

Problem Solving:

This post requires a combination of level 2 and level 3 problem solving. The DCD-P is required to resolve dilemmas on a daily basis. S/he will need to be able to analyze and react to situations on a frequent basis as they arise on a variety of subjects ranging from security to program operational decisions, to issues related to government and donor relations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Masters Degree in related field.

8 years in senior program management position in the development field with exposure to multisectoral programing (Health, Nutrition & HIV/AIDS, Woman, Girls, Youth Empowerment and Gender Justice, Extreme Rural and Urban Poverty, Climate Change and Resilience )

Demonstrated experience in leading strategic and operational planning.

Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a very complex international settings

Extensive conceptual skills including development of program strategy

Demonstrated experience in program design (including proposal development), implementation and evaluation.

Experience in risk management for programs

Experience with the management of a diverse workforce.

Experience in Market System & Value Chain Strengthening

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements should apply through CARE Bangladesh’s e-recruitment site: on or before May 08, 2024.

Note:

CARE Bangladesh aims to attract and select a diverse workforce ensuring equal opportunity to everyone, irrespective of race, age, gender, HIV status, class, ethnicity, disability, location and religion.

Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Any personal persuasion/phone-call will result in disqualification of candidature. We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.

CARE Bangladesh has a non-negotiable policy of ZERO TOLERANCE towards discrimination, harassment and abuse. All employees are expected to abide by the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse & Child Protection Policy of CARE Bangladesh.

Internal and external applicants shall be treated equally in the entire selection process.

To ensure transparent processes during recruitment, internal candidates should discuss potential applications with their Line Managers to ensure endorsement of their applications by respective Line Managers.

There is no cost involved with applying for positions with CARE Bangladesh. Any solicitation of job application costs should be regarded as fraudulent.