Location: Myanmar

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POSITION OVERVIEW

The Country Director (CD) leads the successful development and implementation of Pact’s large and complex program in Myanmar, providing strategic direction and dynamic leadership to the country team, and representing Pact with the host government, donor agencies and leaders in the private sector. Key areas of responsibility include: program planning; new business development; program implementation, monitoring, and reporting; and compliance with Pact's policies and donors' award terms and conditions. The CD reports to the Asia Eurasia (AEA) Regional Director.

 

Responsive to the politically-sensitive context, the CD develops and implements the country office strategy in cooperation with Pact’s senior management team and local and international partners. S/he effectively harnesses the expertise, experience and ideas of Pact’s diverse program support teams to channel them into impactful partnerships with the country program, and promotes learning from experience through research and contextual analysis to develop high-impact strategies that address immediate and long-term solutions to the most pressing development challenges. S/he oversees and improves implementing systems, policies and procedures for Pact operations in Myanmar and ensures effective financial oversight, staff security and human resource management. 

 

The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator, able to develop and utilize strong relationships with team members, partners and donors in country, and build highly effective working relationships across the organization, including with headquarters units, other field offices, and Pact affiliates. 

 

Personnel: 4 direct reports, 4 departments, total of 400+ staff across Myanmar.

Portfolio: 5 large projects and total portfolio size of $60M. Health, governance, livelihoods, WASH, renewable energy, rural energy access, women’s economic empowerment and artisanal mining.

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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

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1.  Donor Stewardship & Fundraising (40% of Time):

• Serve as the country new business development lead, linking with relevant Pact Headquarters departments, including Opportunity Development and Global Engagement, focusing on a variety of donors including the private sector.

• Proactively explore social business opportunities in line with Pact's global transformation.

 

2.  Program Strategy Development & Implementation (15% of Time):

• Develop the strategic vision and direction of present and future program goals and strategies.

• Develop and manage the portfolio of program activities of the country in line with Pact strategic country plans and region and global vision

• Ensure accountability of Pact activities at all levels through efficient and transparent use of program resources

• Keep abreast of the social-economic and political changes in the environment and undertake a timely strategic review of the Pact program strategy ensuring continued relevance within the area of focus

• Maintain close communication with Regional Office in relevant factors and changes in the environment

• Identify and evaluate new project funding opportunities that leverage impact and integrate initiatives and activities; support and direct related fund-raising activities with both institutional and private donors.

• Oversee program quality and impact by ensuring programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Pact and donor required monitoring, evaluation and learning systems.

• Lead country team to strive for impact at country and regional level leading to sustained change based on strong systems and incorporation of learning into programs.

 

3.  Communication and Representation (20% of Time):

• Represent Pact in strategic meetings, conferences, forums, and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of Pact.

• Develop and strengthen relationships with local organizations and networks and establishes national strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society.

• Liaise with Pact Headquarters departments, including Program Delivery, Agreement Management, Finance and Compliance & Accountability staff to monitor donor regulations and policies for changes affecting the program.

• Coordinate effectively with other Pact initiatives and structures in Myanmar, including Pact's MFI operations and Smart Power Myanmar, Pact's rural economic development and rural electrification platform.

• Coordinate with other donors and implementing partners on common objectives and activities, as needed.

 

4.  Program Financial Management, Quality, and Reporting (10% of Time):

• Strengthen and maintain financial management systems in line with Pact's global policies and procedures; ensure such systems are consistent with donor rules and regulations.

• Oversee and coordinate technical support to improve the systems of internal control and financial management of Pact staff.

• Ensure that the accounting system is maintained and upgraded on time to ensure production of efficient and effective financial reports for Pact Myanmar, Pact Headquarters and donors.

• Ensure preparation and submission of complete and accurate financial reports and cash requests to Pact Headquarters and donors.

• Oversee month-end financial summary reports for country office financial management.

• Lead budget development and preparations for cost extensions and program revisions with the objective of full cost recovery and realistic cost projections.

• Manage country office budget ensuring all costs incurred by Pact Myanmar have been provided for, including compliance with local laws.

• Review and monitor program budgets vs. actual expenditures through reports generated from Pact Myanmar's financial system and those generated from Pact's global financial management system.

• Undertake regular analysis of contracts and agreements that Pact Myanmar has received and lead the preparation of budget amendments for negotiation with donors.

• Supervise and manage directly the Pact Myanmar Director of Finance and Operations. Coordinate with appropriate Headquarters finance personnel, including regional financial advisor.

 

5.  Human Resources Management, Capacity Building and Compliance (10% of Time):

• Oversee management policies and ensure that policies and procedures (new and existing) are clearly communicated to staff and are respected.

• Ensure that all required documentation is available and stored as per Pact regulations.

• Provide financial and administrative information, as required, to Pact Myanmar staff, donors and Pact Headquarters.

• Supervision of senior management staff, including COP and others.

• Ensure human resource plans are available and consistent with Pact policies, including position descriptions, personnel orientation and professional development plans, personnel evaluation system and field personnel policy manual.

• Institute a disciplined culture of performance management and regular feedback between supervisors and their direct reports.

• Recruit, manage, motivate, and onboard an informed, skilled and efficient team with an emphasis on excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, incorporating staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team-building process.

 

6.  Security, Safety, and Welfare (5% of Time):

• Manage security and safety of the country team and Pact assets according to best practices, Pact operating standards and field realities.

• Liaise with the AEA Regional Director and Global Security Advisor on crucial events, high risk periods, and incident reporting or security policy changes.

• Ensure all interventions adhere to Pact's zero tolerance policy towards harassment and commitment to prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and Do No Harm principles. 

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EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development studies or other related disciplines.

 

EXPERIENCE:

• 10 years’ experience in a leadership role within a large or international organization working on strategic planning, quality improvement, project planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, human resources and financial management

• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience as a team leader/senior manager of multi-sectoral, multi-donor, multi-partner funded program portfolio (or equivalent).

• Prior experience in setting country level strategy with annual implementation plans and resource managing towards the strategy.

• Demonstrated track record of successful business development in multiple sectors that includes securing new sources of funding and leverages professional networks to generate innovative responses to development that combine public, private and social sector actors and funders.

• Experience managing USAID contracts or cooperative agreements, as well as a thorough understanding of USAID business practices, required.

• Demonstrated experience/knowledge of leading or managing large integrated development programs in areas such as livelihoods, community empowerment/governance, maternal and child health, rural electrification and conflict transformation.

• Understanding of and experience with a variety of donors, including USAID, UN/UNDP, DfID, DFAT, foundations, and other donor government agencies. Experience working with multi-donor trust funds a plus.

• Experience in Southeast Asia, preferably in Myanmar or a similar country context.

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COMPETENCIES/PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Highly adaptable, with proven experience in politically complex contexts.

• Skilled and adept in mediation among competing interests.

• Strategic planning skills

• Leadership, influencing and managerial skills

• Ability to gain trust and secure donor funding

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with staff, partners, government officials, donors and community leaders

• Creativity and problem solving skills

• Strong presentation skills

• Superior organizational skills and ability to multi-task

• Ability to work under pressure meeting deadlines

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KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Outstanding human resource and staff management skills and experience.

• Outstanding program management skills, as well as experience with establishing and maintaining operations systems (general management and administration).

• High level written and oral communications skills, including fluency in English.

• Ability and willingness to travel on short notice.

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Employment Start Date: Immediately

 

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to: recruitment@broderickhaightconsulting.com and kindly include “CD Pact Myanmar” in the subject line.

 

ABOUT PACT

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.