About the Role
The Director for Africa reports to the Executive Director for BRAC International, supervising 5-7 Country Directors and overseeing a staff cohort of 4,000+ working across Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania and soon in Rwanda. The operating income for the region is approximately 48 Million USD in both grants and microfinance programmes.
Within BRAC, the Director holds key relationships with the Director of Asia Programmes, Country Representatives, Unit Heads and Sector Specialists. Externally, the Director relates to the leaders of BRAC UK, BRAC USA, donors and BRAC Bangladesh. The Director takes leadership of operational and policy-level decisions related to the countries and region. The Director receives advice and guidance from his or her supervisor on strategic and policy-level decisions which has an impact outside of the Africa region. The goal of the Director is to lead the regional offices’ development and guide them towards growth and long-term success.
Purpose of the Role
Leading the implementation of the regional strategy with a focus on quality control, monitoring and evaluation and donor reporting.
Identifying synergies within the region and identifying different opportunities for programme improvement and funding and partnerships for growth.
Tracking success of programmes through data analysis and informing future plans and policies, aligning with the mission of BRAC.
Offers operational support and creative leadership to country directors across the region.
Key Performance Indicators
Quality delivery of the programmes; including improvements required by audit and finance reports.
Regional partnerships and donor relationships.
Developing and reviewing new projects and proposals for existing and new BRAC countries in Africa.
Data and research-based decision making which informs the regional strategy.
Major Responsibilities
Ensure successful implementation of in-country operation through overseeing planning, development and implementation of programmes in countries and achieving coherence with BRAC’s mission, values and core competencies, as well as ensuring timely reporting to donors and feeding the communication needs for the broader BRAC family.
Oversee the management of the country offices and ensure the implementation of the country strategy.
Manage programme collaboration within countries and within the region, identifying synergies and economies of scale in close collaboration with the country representatives.
Provide information and analysis on regional and country-specific issues to inform future plans, innovate and adapt programme design, plan the resource mobilisation strategy and inform stakeholder interactions.
Liaise effectively with programme anchors at BRAC International, and unit heads and programme directors in BRAC Bangladesh to ensure quality control and seamless technical assistance from head office to countries.
Study data trends, emerging research, and advise on resource optimisation and influence internal and external stakeholders on the same.
Align country programme strategies and sector plans with BRAC’s core competencies.
Support country representatives in building national and regional partnerships, government and donor relationships, and fundraising and advocacy activities.
Support effective staff hiring and management, diversity, security, gender justice, legal issues and adherence to BRAC’s integrity policies.
Representation in external forums, country visits, advocacy.
Oversee the development of the skills and competencies of the country team leaders.
Work closely with audit and finance team to ensure and align financial and overall integrity processes for the Africa office.
Major challenges
BRAC Africa faces resource constraints and further resources must be mobilised.
This position is in a complex region with various countries that require support to improve synergies.
Remote management is required to interface with donors and country representatives.
The region has multiple post-conflict countries, and troubleshooting in emergency context is required.
Experience
At least 15 years’ experience in a senior technical or management position preferably in an NGO/INGO, managing complex programmes, including programme planning and administration, evaluation, proposal writing and fundraising, managing budgets and accounts, staff supervision and training.
Experience in more than one country is preferable.
Demonstrated experience in dealing with multiple stakeholders and multicultural staff as well as foster a culture of gender justice and diversity.
Demonstrated experience in advocacy work and knowledge of at least one sector BRAC works in.
Knowledge, skills and competencies
Track record of managing large-scale and complex development programmes.
Demonstrated experience leading multicultural staff and developing senior teams.
A proven ability to raise funds and further sound growth and programme development.
Strong influencing skills and experience relating to government and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders including business, donors, academia, media, and civil society. Technical knowledge of at least one BRAC programme.
Able to analyse and apply research, data and learning to improve programmes and operations.
Previous field experience, including leading community-driven programming and Southern-led development initiatives.
Excellent communication and relationship skills.
Experience and excellence in managing a multi-cultural organisation, leading it towards a culture of gender justice and diversity in practice.
Excellent written and spoken English skills.
Willingness to travel internationally.
