POSITION SUMMARY
The Director, Global Program Operations develops and supports strategy, standardization, best practices and compliance related to the implementation and delivery of projects and programs across MEDA’s regions aligned with MEDA’s new strategy and shifts. The Director, GPO will streamline, evaluate, and review program and project business processes, to ensure systems, processes and guides are in place, organized, accessible, understood and followed across MEDA, enabling strong local and regional leadership. The Director GPO collaborates to create good relationships with other support and compliance functions, coordinating with finance, legal, audit, people and culture, security and IT. Annually, the Director GPO will define and propose time-limited interventions and initiatives aligned with the strategic plan implementation and continuous improvement, while leading a team of project managers and providing indirect support to Country Directors. The Director is the steward of MEDA’s Project Management Guide (PMG), ensuring review, updates and learnings are documented and operationalized around MEDA’s project management framework, project start-up and close-out processes, compliance and partnership best practices.
- Job Status: Full-Time, Contract
- Contract Duration: November 2023 - March 2024
- Location: Hybrid/Remote within a region where MEDA works
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy and Initiatives (30%)
- Lead and support initiatives to strengthen leadership and management capacity in MEDA’s countries of operations
- Lead and support change management processes around shifts in project management and roles and responsibilities aligned with MEDA’s strategic plan; including year 1 scoping and planning for initiatives needed and annually thereafter
- Lead and support operational improvements (policies, processes for compliance) as authority & accountability is transferred to countries
- Define annual quality improvement interventions and initiatives related to project management, business processes and implementation
- Contribute to direction setting, learning, and continuous improvements in Global Programs and Business Development as a member of the senior management team
- Coordinate with RDs, Director Partnership and Business Development and other Divisions to identify, design and direct time-bound special projects linked to Global Program’s operational and strategic objectives.
- Coordinate with Director BD and RDs to represent MEDA with North America based representatives of current and potential donors, particularly in person meetings
- Represent MEDA in North America at events, forums and on sectoral groups as required
Project and Program Systems and Processes Support (50%)
- Lead or coordinate scheduled project level risk reviews and learning sessions around best practices, systems, processes, and compliance
- Develop, maintain and operationalize MEDA’s PMG guide to support standardization, compliance and continuous improvement in project management processes
- Develop and enhance capacity for project management, reporting and compliance systems in MEDA’s countries of operations, creating annual plans for project management training and learning (with support from People & Culture) (Project Management Training Plan)
- Develop systems and support for effective and efficient project start-up processes, including providing hands on specialized project management start-up support and coordination as required
- In collaboration with Regional Directors, ensure that Country teams are supported and resourced to complete all project reporting to donors
- Ensure collaboration and build strong working relationships with support departments (Finance, Legal, People & Culture, Contracts, Security, IT, Internal Audit) to ensure smooth project implementation and to provide lateral support to Regional Directors, especially offsite Directors
Project and Program Risk and Compliance Assurance (20%)
- Develop MEDA’s quality assurance program, ensuring that policies, tools, standards and processes are in place
- Develop, maintain and implement a strategy around capturing areas of project risk, risk mitigation and business continuity plans (Business Continuity and Risk Management Plans)
- Ensure risk related events, compliance issues, and project setbacks are documented and that learnings are translated into changes across projects and programs
- Develop and improve systems, processes and a collaborative management approach to address operational challenges and ensure that MEDA’s portfolio follows contractual and donor requirements and complies with host country regulations
- In coordination with Regional Directors and other risk/compliance related departments (legal, internal audit, finance, HR etc.), raise the overall level of awareness of critical risks and the level of risk analysis and risk mitigation in Global Programs through a combination of onboarding, technical training, and process/procedure development
Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned
REQUIREMENTS
Education: University degree (ideally Masters) in International Development, Business Administration, Project Management or related field.
Experience: Proven track record of at least ten years of senior level leadership and management of complex, large scale, multi-million dollar economic and enterprise development initiatives (or similar private sector experience). Experience in strategic planning, project management, project operations and systems.
Technical: Project and professional management experience, staff management experience, overseas and/or international experience relevant to the region, experience with donors, bi- and multi-lateral government agencies, relevant government agencies, non-governmental organizations and other development agencies.
Project Requirements: Self-starter with a strong operational background in international development and outstanding project management skills. You will need to be able to work with autonomy and discretion, and successfully communicate and implement compliance and quality systems with our internal teams.
Additional Qualifications:
- Appreciation and support of MEDA’s mission, vision and values
- Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty
- Excellent skills in relationship management, including building relationships, networking and presentation, negotiation and interpersonal communication
- Proven team leadership abilities with a multiple field office environment and relationships with North American-based HQ specialists and management
- Fluency (written and verbal) in English is required
- Proficiency in regional languages is an asset
- Functional experience in marketing, business planning, business growth advisory service or related areas
- Direct private sector experience is desirable
- Demonstrated ability to mobilize stakeholders into partnerships and alliances, lead and facilitate collaborative processes
- Demonstrated donor relations reporting, relationship management and ability to monitor grants
- Excellent report writing and review skills
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Apply here by Wednesday, November 8, 2023, by 4:00 Eastern Time
MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.
