Country Director Nepal/Bhutan

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services. We focus on three sectors – agriculture, energy, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) – and have a long-term, local presence in 24 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Our team of just over 1,300 people is the backbone of SNV.

We apply our practical know-how to deliver results at scale. Driven by the Sustainable Development Goals, we are dedicated to a society in which all people are free to pursue their own sustainable development, and no one is left behind. This commitment to equity directs us to focus on gender and youth. By connecting our global expertise with our extensive and longstanding in-country experiences, we help realise locally owned solutions.

Our services include advice, brokering and stakeholder engagement, advocacy, fund management, results-based financing, and delegated management.

We realise our impact through direct results and systems change.  Our projects directly benefit millions of people and drive systems change – strengthening institutions and kickstarting markets to help many more people work their way out of poverty, well beyond the scope of projects.

We are committed to operational excellence and are proud to be a not-for   -profit organisation, implementing our mission exclusively through project financing. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational excellence every day.

For more information on our operations in Bhutan and Nepal and SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org

Job Description

SNV seeks a talented, entrepreneurial, result-oriented and experienced professional who will lead the Nepal/Bhutan country team in securing and implementing of high-quality programs in SNV’s sectors. A strong focus for the role is positioning and winning externally funded projects. We are looking for someone who brings excellent business development skills and experience in researching and identifying new business opportunities - including new donors, growth areas, trends and partnerships.

The role of Country Director is critical for the success of SNV and reports directly to the Managing Director Countries. The Country Director Nepal/Bhutan will spearhead SNV’s business development and operational engagement in the country.

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, upscaling and strategically strengthening the country program, whilst ensuring compliance and high-quality delivery of project results. It requires a Country Director well informed about national and international development priorities, able to 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.  They will also be the face of SNV in the country, representing the organisation and influencing through our work.

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, they 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 program, ensure financial sustainability of SNV Nepal/Bhutan and ensure a high-quality 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 project implementation (including project director roles) ensuring the delivery of impact to the satisfaction of key stakeholders and compliance with SNV’s and the donor’s financial standards and monitoring protocols;
• 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;
• Strategic leadership of the program including multi-country efforts within the overall parameters of SNV’s global strategy;
• Collaboration with other SNV countries to effectively leverage opportunities for synergy, deliver at scale (including multi-country projects), exchange knowledge and strengthen SNV’s position;
• In addition, the Country Directors will foster innovation of SNV products and services: facilitate learning, documentation and evidence-based knowledge development in collaboration with SNV’s global team and partners; ensure collaboration with renowned knowledge institutes and networks.

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, bilateral donors, and/or private sector partners;
• Excellent track record in mobilising resources from the public and private sector, including strong networking and positioning skills at multiple levels;
• Proven ability to establish partnerships and consortia to mobilise resources;
• Excellent knowledge of the international development context and trends in SNV’s three sectors, including familiarity with key financiers and actors in SNV’s three sectors;
• Experience of implementing GESI responsive programmes
• A track record in management skills including financial management, people management, donor-funded project procedures and process;
• 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 with a focus on results and entrepreneurial skills;
• Culturally aware, tactful and open-minded;
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.

Additional Information

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time international position with the successful candidate being contracted on a two-year basis with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.  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 02 October 2022 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.