iDE is an international NGO with over 40 years of experience in designing and delivering market-based anti-poverty programs in 11 countries. We are a world leader in making markets work for the poor as well as the longest-established market development specialist NGO in Bangladesh. iDE believes that markets can be a powerful force for improving smallholder prosperity by creating income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households. iDE Bangladesh currently has eight projects in Agricultural Markets, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Access to Finance with a focus on women’s economic empowerment and climate-smart technologies.
iDE Bangladesh is currently looking for a Project Manager to join iDE’s Feed the Future Bangladesh Nutrition Activity (BNA) project. The Project Manager (PM) will lead the implementation of a component under Result 3 of the BNA project, providing strategic vision and leadership to increase access to sanitation facilities in Bangladesh through iDE’s systems-based approach. The PM will guide internal teams and external stakeholders, including donors, private sector actors, and the Government of Bangladesh, ensuring successful project management and technical operations.
With responsibility for field operations led by Field Team Leaders and a team of 7 staff, the PM will oversee field interventions with support from Operations, Programs, Finance, Admin, and MERL teams. Key tasks include developing strategies, managing budgets, creating technical tools, and monitoring progress. The PM will also ensure effective human resource engagement, lead staff capacity building, manage project start-up and closure, and guide the field team to ensure high-quality implementation. The role also involves managing crises and maintaining communication with donors and partners
Reports To: AD-Programs
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
● Define the vision and implementation strategy in alignment with donor priorities and guidance from the project partners to achieve core programmatic deliverables
● Track major sectoral developments in the Sanitation sector, as well as actively identifying partnership opportunities with private and public sector partners
● Actively engage and onboard private sector partners for collaborating on inclusive market-based partnerships in Sanitation
● Lead the co-development of different new, emerging technologies, delivery mechanisms and demand creation strategies with private sector partners
● Monitor and analyze key challenges in the Sanitation sector, using a market systems development perspective to identify and address intervention opportunities.
● Oversee the development of work plans and intervention designs, ensuring that implementation activities progress as planned.
● Establish and manage project monitoring systems, incorporating both system-specific and contextual monitoring to ensure that results remain on track.
● Proactively identify challenges and develop adaptive management plans, seeking feedback from iDE Senior Leadership and the project partners to refine approaches.
● Actively manage the budget by planning, tracking fund utilization, ensuring donor compliance, and achieving value for money.
● Provide supervision and mentorship to project staff, enhancing their technical skills and implementation capabilities while fostering motivation and professional growth.
● Establish an effective system of knowledge management by maintaining knowledge plans and documentation systems utilizing existing technology setups.
● Develop and finalize technical SOPs and guidelines in collaboration with the iDE Communications team.
● Ensure internal learning by leveraging coordination platforms to inform program teams, partners, and primes on progress while acquiring relevant strategic inputs to shape program implementation plans.
● Lead the development and positioning of key learning briefs, tactical reports, and case studies, both proactively and as required by the prime.
● Engage with the iDE Communications team and HQ to position learning briefs across social media, websites, and relevant journals
● Work cross-functionally with other technical leads (SBC, Nutrition, Agriculture, Market Systems, Women and Youth Empowerment) within the routines and spaces developed by the project to ensure optimal project impact.
● Provide regular inputs and recommendations to the BNA Project Management Committee and strategic leadership (comprised of representatives from the coalition partners) to achieve project goals.
● Lead engagement with partner organizations and represent iDE within the consortium, to the donor consortium, and to other external stakeholders.
● Create a positive environment for piloting, testing theories, learning from mistakes, and critical analysis
Requirements
● Education: Relevant postgraduate qualification in business, development studies, economics management, WASH, or equivalent experience.
● Experience:
○ At least 8 years of experience in international development, with a minimum of 3 years in strategic leadership roles managing private sector development programs.
○ Proven track record in designing, implementing, and managing enterprise development and/or market systems development programs, with specific experience in the Sanitation sector.
○ Prior experience in the water sector is highly preferred, demonstrating a strong understanding of sector-specific challenges, solutions, and best practices.
○ Demonstrated ability to engage the private sector, co-create sustainable solutions, and manage large funds while ensuring compliance and value for money.
○ Leadership experience in project cycle management, including strategic planning, supervision, and monitoring.
○ Experience working with international donors, preferably USAID, and familiarity with Logical Frameworks, Impact Logic, or Results Chains.
○ Extensive understanding of rural markets, trading relationships, and the roles of the private sector, government, and civil society/NGOs in service market creation.
○ Proven ability to manage large, diverse project teams and mentor staff to strengthen technical and management capacities
● Skills;
○ Strong strategic planning and adaptive management skills, with the ability to diagnose and integrate market systems development components into project design.
○ Expertise in private sector-led skills development and business decision-making processes.
○ Proficiency in developing and functionalizing project monitoring systems to ensure progression toward results.
○ Advanced problem-solving and creative thinking abilities, with a focus on fostering programmatic learning and knowledge sharing.
○ Excellent verbal, intercultural, and interpersonal communication skills, with the capacity to work independently and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Behaviors and Values:
● Demonstrates empathy, humility, authenticity, and respect in the workplace.
● Willingness to ask questions and seek feedback.
● Excellent problem-solving and creative thinking abilities.
● Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively.
● Desire to work in a fast-paced environment across multiple time zones and languages.
● Excellent verbal, intercultural, and interpersonal communication skills.
● Enthusiastic with a sincere interest in the mission of the organization.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.
● Work is primarily performed in an office environment.
● Approximately 40% time commitment for domestic travel may be required.
Benefits
Application Process: Please submit your up-to-date CV (not more than four pages) with a cover letter (not more than two pages) describing your interest.
Application Deadline: 09 November 2024
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview
(Any personal persuasion will result in disqualification)
Women are actively encouraged to apply
iDE provides a women friendly work environment with flexible work arrangements, appropriate skill development opportunities, and good career development potential for high-performing individuals. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. Employee selection and related decisions are made without regard to gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.
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