Director of Programs (DoP) Open to Nepali Nationals Only

iDE has been in Nepal since 1992, developing market systems that provide simple innovations to help rural communities get out of poverty. Our long-standing presence in Nepal is a testimony to adaptive learning, continual innovation, and  commitment to delivering meaningful impact. From the germination of an idea, through research, piloting, and its evolution into impactful and scalable solutions, iDE possesses an unparalleled understanding of Nepal's market dynamics. This deep insight has enabled us to diagnose critical value chain bottlenecks, paving the way for strategic interventions that open doors of opportunity for the marginalized. 

iDE Nepal’s holistic approach to market development is what truly sets us apart. In addition to identifying market opportunities for marginalized populations, we nurture them from seed to fruition. We work hand-in-hand with the private sector, forge partnerships with governments at every administrative level, collaborate with global development partners, and most crucially, have earned the trust and partnership of the rural communities we serve. Our expansive reach, covering all seven provinces, and our continued efforts towards inclusive and resilient market development, stand testament to iDE Nepal's unwavering commitment to making a difference—one innovation at a time.

The Director of Program (DoP) provides leadership to iDE Nepal respective program and will line manage the respective teams. She/he collaborates with technical focal points of the respective program units at iDE Nepal Country Office based in Kathmandu. S/he is responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation and ensures strategic coherence and vision of iDE Nepal country program, based on active participation in the development of iDE Nepal Strategic Plan document.

S/he takes responsibility for the effective planning, implementation, coordination, and monitoring the efficient programme delivery of iDE Nepal. Working with program team, managers and coordinators, s/he maintains strategic donor relations, executes resource mobilization strategy with current and potential donors. The DoP will coordinate all monitoring, reporting and documentation of evidence on outcomes, program-based human-interest stories, lessons, best practices and internal knowledge development and innovation in iDE Nepal program. S/he reports directly to the Country Director and is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT)

Strategic Leadership & Program Management: Develop, implement, and regularly update iDE Nepal’s programmatic strategy to enhance visibility. Lead program teams, ensuring technical guidance, monitoring, and evaluation. Ensure alignment with iDE’s vision and the country's priorities.

• Donor Relations & Fundraising: Manage strategic donor relationships and execute resource mobilization strategies, maintaining donor intelligence profiles. Develop and maintain relationships with key donors and partners.
• Project Monitoring & Learning: Conduct regular site visits to ensure project progress, build relationships, and monitor the implementation of projects. Further, emphasise continuous learning and development, adapting to new challenges, and actively seek opportunities to enhance programmatic interventions. 
• Reporting & Documentation: Guide the report-writing process to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely submission to donors. Document program successes, human-interest narratives, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Team Management & Capacity Building: Lead, manage, and coach the Program team, emphasizing leadership, people management, and professional development. 
• Business Development & Proposal Leadership: Partner with the business development team to identify and pursue opportunities that align with iDE Nepal's strategic goals. Explore potential business development areas, lead the bidding process, oversee project opportunity evaluations, and actively contribute to proposal development.
• Inclusivity & Sensitivity: Ensure the program is sensitive to vulnerable groups, including gender considerations, with a focus on risk reduction throughout the program's lifecycle.
• Financial Oversight & Compliance: Collaborate with the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) for financial management, ensuring project compliance with donors' regulations and organizational policies. Monitor the overall financial integrity and grant management of the program. 
• Integrity & Compliance: Adhere to and promote iDE's integrity standards, ensuring the program team follows logistics, procurement, HR, and finance protocols, and liaise with internal/external audit and compliance teams. 
• Stakeholder Engagement & Representation: Represent iDE Nepal in relevant forums, networks, and strategic levels, establishing a participative management environment.
• Gender & Social Inclusion: Ensure projects promote and adhere to principles of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), with sensitive monitoring and reporting practices.
• Ensure that all programs are on track with respect to time, budget, and scope.

Requirements

• Masters with 10 years’ experience or Graduate with 15 years’ experience
• A Master’s degree in International Relations, Agriculture Program Management, International Development, social science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of management experience, with at least 5 years in managing a portfolio of programs in the Development, Livelihood, and Agriculture sectors. 
• Proven experience in writing proposals, demonstrating the ability to secure funding for programs. 
• Demonstrable experience in driving integrated advocacy, communications, and fundraising approaches to support program objectives. 
• Proven skills in leading strategic programming and planning processes to ensure program effectiveness. 
• Ability to thrive in a high-pressure and rapidly changing environment, indicating resilience and adaptability. 
• Strong teamwork skills, excellent communication abilities, and the capacity for strong participatory leadership.
• Knowledge of iDE’s multiple fields of expertise; IPM, Agriculture, Livelihood, Market best system, Value Chain, Resilience, Access to Finance, Wash, gender and inclusion, microfinance, climate change, Crop emergency, Nutrition or other relevant subjects on an academic level.
• Demonstrate proven competencies and experience in representing the organization externally to key stakeholders, including multiple donors, foundations and clusters.
• Experience of managing program systems and tools to oversee complex project portfolios across different sectors and locations as well as within consortiums.
• Exhibit experience in collaborating with national and local actors and contributing to the capacity building of national and local organizations in emergency preparedness and response. 
• Demonstrate experience in maintaining donor relations and adhering to donor policies, particularly with USAID, DFID, AUSAID, SIDA EU, UN funding mechanisms, and the cluster approach. 
• Experience in working with Government stakeholders at all levels.
• Competence in resource mobilization and working knowledge on how to meet requirements for call for proposals, and the relevant attendant pre and post proposal procedures; including skills for adapting to different donor requirements and procedures for funding.
• Strong experience in program quality, Participatory Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (PMEAL), program development and proven.
• Uphold behavioral values and skills such as accountability, respect, diversity & inclusion, sustainability, entrepreneurship, teambuilding, negotiation, conflict management, and collaboration.
• Demonstrate strong writing skills to clearly formulate program and project proposals, plans and reports.
• Be proficient in using Microsoft office packages such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint for effective documentation and communication.

This position is open to Nepalese only.

Benefits

Interested and qualifying applicants should submit their application Letter and CV in English, with both phone and email contact details of at least 3 professional references by September 20, 2024.

iDE Nepal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and Members of Disadvantaged Caste, Ethnic and Religious Groups are Strongly Encouraged to Apply.