Program Director

Program Director, Supporting MSME Competitiveness and Growth in Palestine Programme

Location: Ramallah, West Bank

Overview:

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.  

Global Communities is seeking a Programme Director for the Supporting MSMEs Competitiveness and Growth in Palestine Programme with funding from Swedish Government and matching contribution from Palestine Investment Fund (PIF). This 44-months, 55 million SEK program uses market system development lens to better understand the critical constraints that exist to sustainable income change for large number of micro, small and medium enterprise owners and ensure a sustainable approach for addressing these constraints. The program will contribute to job creation especially for women and youth and increase Palestine’s economic independence. The Program targets the creative sector in the West Bank and food sector in Gaza.

The Programme Director will lead and oversee the overall implementation of the program, including technical strategy, financial and operational leadership, human resources, and serve as a primary point of contact with the donors, Global Communities and key related stakeholders. We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive.

Responsibilities:

The Programme Director is responsible for overall program implementation, strategic vision, and outcome achievement.  The Programme Director provides an integrated vision for the program and will manage a team of senior staff to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the program.  S/he will utilize the principles of adaptive management to maximize impact and facilitate innovation. Finally, the Programme Director will be responsible for communications with SIDA and PIF, for publicly representing the project, and for liaising with government and other institutions/stakeholders on issues related to program activities.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Provide program leadership, direction, and supervision, including oversight of staff, consultants, and partners, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation with focus on results, achievements of work plans and targets, and timely implementations.
• Ensure implementation of inclusive market systems development interventions, resulting in concrete and specific outcomes.
• Lead regular work plan, budget, and implementation reviews to facilitate the cost-effective and timely achievement of deliverables. 
• Manage team members, and partners including highly specialized technical staff, to deliver against the annual workplan.
• Ensure program activities maximize impact and are completed in compliance with Global Communities rules and regulations, local laws, and donor agreement requirements. 
• Lead in adaptive management, achieving peak performance and facilitate innovation. 
• Wherever possible, identify opportunities to engage partners and create growth, and connect actors to find mutual opportunity and benefit.
• Oversee the production and submission of timely activity and financial reports to donors, effectively and accurately communicating project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds.  
• Meet program targets, as well as fiscal integrity of the use of program funds.
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of systems for effective program operations.
• Act as primary point of contact with SIDA and PIF, government counterparts, and other critical in-country stakeholders.
• Provide inputs and quality control for written reports and oral presentations on the program.
• Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.
• Foster good working relationships with other agencies and projects working on market systems  and targeted sectors, and maximizing visibility and learning.
• Be the principal point of contact with other agencies and individuals working on related projects and activities.
• Ensure that lessons learned are disseminated and applied
• Identify risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and guide appropriate mitigations and adjustments.
• Liaise with GC colleagues to coordinate the inputs of gender and inclusion, monitoring and evaluation and other advisory inputs to provide cross-cutting support.

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Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to international development, economics, or business management, with a minimum of 8-10 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to market systems development or economic development; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to international development, economics, or business management with a minimum of 10-12 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to market systems development or economic development and/or providing relevant technical expertise to such projects.
• Proven experience in a leadership position involving the administration of similarly sized, international donor-supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting is strongly preferred.
• Experience and/or technical knowledge in designing, managing and evaluating development projects and activities, including experience in flexible and adaptive management and implementation approaches.
• Experience managing facilitative, market systems development programs strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant SIDA policies and approaches, including Market Systems Development and Results Based Management preferred.
• Experience in managing field operations and sub-awards and partnerships with a broad range of partners from public and private sector.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge/Experience with SIDA contract rules and regulations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of relevant local laws, regulations and policies is
• Management/supervisory experience is required.
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired. 
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements is desired.
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English and Modern Standard Arabic. Must be able to use both languages fluently and accurately and be able to read all styles and forms on all levels pertinent to professional needs.

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter by email to [email protected] no later than December 8, 2024, indicating the position title in the subject of the email.

Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society.  We are committed to a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of everyone and offers equal opportunity.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.