Country Director (m/f)

Description

• Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty
• The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off
• Program Overview: TechnoServe has been providing technical assistance to Mozambique’s industries, agribusinesses, and entrepreneurs with high growth potential for over 20 years, since our office first opened in 1998. We have helped create a competitive and sustainable commercial agricultural sector, which has generated opportunities for small-scale rural producers and suppliers, in addition to new employment opportunities for the rural poor
• TechnoServe in Mozambique is known for creating lasting impact in the value chains of cashew and poultry, though we've also worked in agro-forestry, seed systems, horticulture and access to finance. We work with corporate partners to promote investments in key industries and build local supply chains for sourcing, as well as public sector partners to build capacity to regulate and promote growing industries. Our goal in the next 10 years is to scale our impact through leveraging and sharing knowledge and build new partnerships in order to catalyze further change. Our current portfolio consists of exciting programs delivered by over 60 staff working across multiple value chains and enterprise development focus areas
• Job Summary: TechnoServe Country Directors are the heart of our organization and must successfully function at many different levels at once. They are simultaneously diplomats, networkers, sales people, program managers, finance managers, and people managers, often serving in all of these roles in any one day. It is one of the most difficult roles in our organization, but also one of the most rewarding for its direct impact on making the world a better place
• The Country Director leads all aspects of TechnoServe’s country level strategic branding, fundraising, and operations to achieve sustainable economic development in a cost-effective manner. This position serves as TechnoServe’s in-country legal representative and provides overall management of TechnoServe Mozambique, including HR, procurement, finance and operations, ensuring efficient and effective and high quality implementation of programs, compliance with all donor and local legal requirements as well as TechnoServe policies and regulations
• Country Directors also serve as an important link between the country office and our headquarters in the US. They provide context rich communications and are critical advocates for building and maintaining a culture in line with our strategy and values
• Country Directors generally have knowledge or expertise in a particular technical area--so that they can credibly represent the organization--but often focuses his/her time much more on business development, program management, and people management than on serving as a technical advisor

Duties

• The Country Director is expected to effectively manage all aspects of country operations including:
• Program Oversight: Coaching and supervising leaders and managers of programs for successful delivery of results; ensuring timely submission of internal reports and corporate measurement; ensuring timely submission of high quality donor reports with support of the divisional back-stopping team; supporting country-level adaptation and use of program management tools; and working with program staff to identify and address technical assistance needs
• Program Development: In collaboration with regional leadership and program development teams, executing a business strategy aligned with TechnoServe’s global and regional strategies, maintaining and building strong relationships with a wide range of donors, and proactively developing and delivering upon a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the country platform and scale TechnoServe’s impact
• Stakeholder Representation: Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with relevant in-country stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector companies, business associations, and civil society organizations; securing their support as needed; representing TechnoServe at internal and external functions. Also establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with internal divisional, regional, and HQ teams
• People Leadership: Hiring, supporting, and managing a talented local staff in line with local labor laws as well as TechnoServe policies and approaches related to recruiting, pay, and performance. Putting together and leading a local senior management team made up of program managers, HR, Finance, and Procurement functions. Developing and communicating a principled commitment to TechnoServe’s mission and building a working culture that aligns with organizational values of integrity and collegiality
• Compliance Leadership: Representing TechnoServe in all legal matters at the country level, and ensuring TechnoServe retains and consults with qualified local legal counsel as needed; ensuring that TechnoServe is properly registered and complies with all related regulations
• Finance Leadership: Reviewing and approving expenditures to ensure compliance with country and donor budgets and TechnoServe’s procurement/finance policies; ensure submission of high quality reports and documents to TechnoServe’s HQ on a timely basis in accordance with the corporate calendar, including monthly financial close, annual and mid-year budgets; monitor burn rates on a monthly basis and course correct spending as needed and/or ensure donor and internal budget realignments are requested and approved when required
• Safety and Security: Ensuring that the country office has a robust and highly communicated security plan; expeditiously managing safety and security issues as they arise, with help from headquarters and our external security advisors

Requisites

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience
• 5 years’ implementation and management experience relating to large-scale projects with responsibility for all aspects of operations including HR, Finance, and Procurement
• Proven ability to fundraise/work with donor organizations and professionally and proactively represent an organization
• Experience working in developing countries
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, including report writing and presentations
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% and internationally as necessary
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Significant operations experience, including experience in budget development and management
• Private sector experience and/or overall business acumen
• Strong people management skills and experience with a record of recruiting and retaining top talent as well as the ability to quickly address performance and/or behavior issues
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Entrepreneurial and inspirational, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-performing teams in stressful contexts
• Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Portuguese and English required
• Supervisory Responsibilities – Supervises head of departments including program and operations staff

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• For consideration, all application materials must be submitted in English
• We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply
• With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes
• We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks
• If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruiting@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515
• TechnoServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities