Zambia: Country Director Zambia

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 39 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development. For more information on our operations in Zambia, visit our website: www.snvworld.org

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation seeks to fill the following position:

Country DirectorZambia

Duty station: Lusaka, Zambia

International contract

SNV started operations in Zambia in 1965, shortly after the country's independence and has been a consistent development partner since then. In alignment with Zambia's Vision 2030 and its Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP 2011-2015), we provide services in the Agriculture, Energy and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene sectors. Our work includes advisory services and brokering of knowledge, and we support policy dialogue to local organisations. With our activities we aim to upscale and have high impact on development. To accomplish this, we work in partnership with the public sector, private sector, farmer groups, civil society organisations, and other development organisations.

Overview of the position

SNV seeks a talented, entrepreneurial, result oriented and proven professional who will lead the Zambia country team in realising high quality programs in SNV’s sectors. We offer you a challenging position in a very dynamic era.

The Country Director is responsible for leading and driving the country programme. It is a multi-faceted role, focused on securing adequate funding to sustain operations, upscale and strategically strengthen the country programme, while ensuring high quality delivery. It will require you to be well informed about and engage with national and international development priorities and steer the sectors in response to these priorities. You will forge partnerships and alliances between SNV and important national and international actors, and stimulate collaboration for impact in SNV sectors. You will be the face of SNV in the country and ensure a positive image and visibility.

You will lead, coach and support the team to perform at their best to meet and exceed client, donor and SNV corporate expectations. In addition, you will be a key member of our global senior management team, making meaningful contributions to help shape the future of SNV.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership of the program (including multi-country efforts and potentially managing projects in other countries) within the overall parameters of SNV’s global strategy;
• Business development to grow the country program, ensure financial sustainability of SNV in Zambia and ensure the high quality project design.
• Oversight and quality assurance of project implementation ensuring the delivery of impact to the satisfaction of key stakeholders and following SNV’s and the donor’s financial standards and monitoring protocols;
• Leadership and management of the country team: creating and nurturing an environment that supports high performance, learning and teamwork;
• Representation and profiling: building partnerships and maintaining excellent relationships with donors, partners, local governments, businesses, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders;
• Collaboration with other SNV countries to effectively exploit opportunities for synergy, deliver at scale (including multi-country projects), exchange knowledge and strengthen SNV’s position;
• In addition, Country Directors 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.

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience as Country Director or equivalent. Proven ability in managing a diverse portfolio, over fifty staff, and wide ranging financial, operational and administrative issues.
• Proven ability in business development, including demonstrable experience in solution design, capture planning, budget development, and establishment of work plans and monitoring plans.
• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
• At least 8 years of relevant experience at strategic level;
• Knowledge and understanding of the international development context and trends in SNV’s three core sectors;
• Familiarity with key financiers and actors in SNV’s 3 core sectors;
• Strong business and people management capabilities with a focus on results and an entrepreneurial flair;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong networking and positioning skills at multiple levels;
• Strong in implementation oversight and proven track record in project management;
• Ability to relate with and manage relationship with government at federal and local levels;
• Ability to coach, lead, stimulate, and inspire professionals in a development context;
• Culturally aware, tactful and open minded;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Contract Type: International

Contract Duration: 2 years with possibility of extension

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Working at SNV: SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. For more information, please visit our website: www.snvworld.org

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to upload your CV and letter of motivation to our online recruitment database via https://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/333010 before 12 July 2016.