Director of Program (DoP)

iDE Nepal Director of Program (DoP)

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 Role Overview:

The Director of Programs (DoP) is a key leadership and senior management position at iDE Nepal, responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of the country program portfolio.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 Strategic Plan.This role involves oversight of a diverse portfolio and close collaboration with the Finance and Operations unit, supported by the senior management team and iDE Global technical and management teams.

The DoP will supervise and manage a project leadership team, providing high-quality coaching and mentoring to enhance their performance and leadership skills. This position is central to the organizational growth strategy and will be a key member of the business development team, leading the technical component. As a senior management team member, the DoP is expected to provide overall organizational and governance support and leadership, aligned with the vision and mission of iDE.S/he reports directly to the Country Director and is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).

Strategic Planning:

• Collaborate with the Country Director and Senior Management Team (SMT) to identify, design, and deploy country strategies and plans aligned with iDE’s global priorities
• Lead the design and development of annual program strategies relevant to the country program, ensuring equitable participation from internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Supervise and manage the Program Quality Assurance function, ensuring all programs meet internal and external quality thresholds.
• Coordinate with iDE Global units to secure key technical and management support/services as required by the country program.
• Prepare and implement high-quality strategic solutions that are appropriate and complementary to government and donor development plans, while ensuring alignment with iDE’s Global vision and mission.
• Develop high-quality strategic partnerships relevant to iDE’s portfolios and priorities to augment the impact, reach, and scale of iDE’s programs.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of program strategies, making necessary adjustments to meet evolving organizational goals and external conditions.
• Lead the development and execution of new program initiatives that contribute to the overall strategic objectives of iDE Nepal.

Project Implementation:

• Supervise the programs team, including Thematic Leads and Project Managers, to ensure effective and impactful project implementation.
• Collaborate with the SMT to design and implement a consolidated country program budget in a fiscally sound manner.
• Mentor and coach technical teams to develop strong technical, management, and leadership skills.
• Analyze trends in the program, identifying issues and developing solutions in consultation with the Country Director and SMT.
• Ensure that iDE’s market-driven approach and gender equality principles are operationalized across all program strategies, programs, and projects.
• Provide necessary technical support to projects through training, cross-learning exchanges, and information sharing.
• Collaborate with the program, finance, and operations team to ensure compliance with donor and iDE policies and procedures.
• Support Project Managers in managing their budgets through regular budget vs. actual reviews and follow-up action items.

Program Innovation and Development:

• Identify and develop innovative program models that can be scaled across the country, leveraging market-based solutions to address complex development challenges.
• Lead research and development efforts to explore new sectors, technologies, and approaches that can enhance iDE’s impact.
• Oversee the integration of new technologies and methodologies into program design and implementation, ensuring that iDE remains at the cutting edge of development practice

Business Development and Organizational Growth:

• Collaborate with the Country Director and iDE Global team to design and deploy organizational growth strategies, including business development activities.
• Lead and supervise business development teams in the country office to meet strategic and tactical targets.
• Represent iDE in national, regional, and global forums to highlight iDE’s market-based systems development portfolio and emphasize iDE’s impact and achievements.
• Support the development of technical products, such as abstracts, white papers, guidelines and tools, articles, blogs, and success stories, to showcase iDE’s innovations and achievements.
• Ensure visibility of iDE Nepal programs internally and externally, and influence the context in which iDE operates through participation in relevant technical working groups, conferences, and policy-oriented forums.
• Lead efforts to secure funding for iDE Nepal’s programs by identifying new funding opportunities and developing strong proposals.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key donors, ensuring that their needs and expectations are met and exceeded.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL):

• Ensure that all programs are supported by robust MERL systems, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Promote a culture of learning within the program teams, encouraging staff to share insights and lessons learned from program implementation.
• Oversee the dissemination of program results and learnings to key stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Financial Management and Accountability:

• Oversee the financial management of all programs, ensuring that they are implemented within budget and meet all financial and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to donors and other stakeholders.
• Implement strong financial controls to prevent fraud and ensure the efficient use of resources.

Risk Management:

• Identify and mitigate potential risks to the successful implementation of programs, including political, financial, operational, and security risks.
• Develop and implement contingency plans to address risks as they arise, ensuring that programs can continue to operate in challenging environments.
• Lead efforts to ensure the safety and security of program staff and assets, particularly in high-risk areas.

Capacity Building and Staff Development:

• Invest in the professional development of program staff, providing ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Promote a culture of excellence, encouraging staff to take ownership of their work and strive for continuous improvement.
• Ensure that all staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles, particularly in areas such as market-based approaches, gender mainstreaming, and inclusive development.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development:

• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and community leaders.
• Represent iDE Nepal in high-level meetings and forums, advocating for the organization’s mission and promoting its achievements.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that enhance the impact and sustainability of iDE’s programs.

Governance and Relations:

• Ensure strong cooperation and collaboration with partners, donors, government, and other key stakeholders to build and maintain a sustainable country and regional program.
• Promote collaboration among field staff and between iDE HQ and the country office.
• Contribute strategically to building a vibrant civil society sector through participation in relevant forums.
• Maintain and expand senior external relations with government, community, civil society, international stakeholders, and private partners.
• Support the development of new opportunities and identify new entry points for iDE to engage wider stakeholders in systems-building conversations.
• Interact with key client and counterpart staff to strategically influence programming decisions and develop strategic partnerships with local organizations/firms.

We are looking for individuals who not only resonate with iDE's core values and passion but are also deeply committed to our mission. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership qualities coupled with exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Their ability to collaborate and exert influence, paired with adaptability and agility, will be crucial. An entrepreneurial spirit, excellent communication skills in both oral and written English, and an ability for assessing and analyzing information are essential. We seek someone with the capacity to lead, motivate, and inspire teams, driving them toward unparalleled success.

Qualifications:

• Masters with 10 years’ experience or Graduate with 15 years’ experience. Minimum of eight years of management experience in development programs or related sectors. At least five years of senior management experience with an international NGO.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification in business, development studies, management, agriculture, WASH, technology, or equivalent experience.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Prior experience managing a portfolio that includes developing entrepreneurship and upskilling initiatives
• Excellent computer literacy in Windows Office programs (especially Word and Excel); familiarity with internet-based software systems such as Google Apps is an advantage.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
• Strong understanding of donor procedures and policies.
• Experience in leading and managing a diverse portfolio of projects
• Demonstrated experience in bringing in new business and working with market actors, including private sector and foundations.
• Prior work experience in South Asia is preferred.
• Strong understanding of market-based, systems, and/or private sector approaches, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, food security & nutrition, WASH, and clean energy.
• Willingness to travel to project sites.

How to Apply

Interested and qualifying applicants can submit their application Letter and CV in English, with both phone and email contact details of at least 3 professional references to the following https://apply.workable.com/ide-global/j/E9E3126D18/ by March 24, 2025.

Benefits

As per the iDE norms.

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