TechnoServe
Website:
technoserve.org
Job details:
About TechnoServe:
At TechnoServe, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life. For over 50 years, we have given smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs the skills, connections, and confidence to lift themselves out of poverty. We leverage the power of markets and the private sector to create sustainable economic growth to benefit people and the planet. Our unique mix of business solutions, deep knowledge of local contexts, and data-driven insights is helping to fight poverty across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
TechnoServe staff are local–95% are from the countries in which they work. We put a high premium on collaboration and entrepreneurship. We hold ourselves and each other to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. And we focus on delivering lasting impact for our mission.
Job Summary:
As the Country Director for TechnoServe India, you have the incredible opportunity to lead and shape the strategic direction of sustainable economic development in the country. The Country Director will be at the forefront of driving impactful change, overseeing all aspects of our work from strategic branding to operational excellence. This role isn’t just about managing day-to-day operations; it's about making a lasting difference by ensuring high-quality program implementation, and championing TechnoServe’s mission in India and the Southern Africa and Asia Region. You'll be the face of TechnoServe in India- representing us to stakeholders, developing a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the India platform, and steering our team towards efficient, effective, and impactful outcomes. It’s a dynamic and rewarding position that offers the chance to drive meaningful change and leave a lasting legacy of economic empowerment and development. The Country Director reports to the Regional Director.
The country platform is comprised of 250 staff in 4 provinces.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
- Business Development and Strategic Growth: In collaboration with regional leadership and program development teams, execute a new business strategy aligned with TechnoServe’s global and regional strategies, maintain strong relationships with a wide range of donors, and develop a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the India platform and scale TechnoServe’s impact.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector companies, business associations, and civil society organizations; securing their support as needed; represent TechnoServe at internal and external functions.
- Leadership & Communication: Act as a role model who assumes accountability, communicates transparently, provides thought leadership and escalates issues to home offices in a timely manner, and encourages staff to do the same. Build a working culture that aligns with organizational values and fosters a healthy / productive working environment for in-country staff. Be accessible to staff and hold regular staff meetings to communicate vision, developments, and expectations.
- Program Oversight: Recruit, coach and supervise competent project managers to ensure successful delivery of results; ensure projects are set up and closed down in a timely manner; work with program teams to identify and address technical assistance needs; ensure submission of internal reports, corporate measurement, and high quality donor reports with support of the divisional back-stopping team; support country-level adaptation and use of program management tools; coordinate support from TechnoServe technical practices in India.
- Finance & Administration: Establish and maintain a high functioning financial and administrative team to ensure banking, tax, and financial transactions are conducted in compliance with organizational and donor policies, and budgets align with HQ and donor regulations; review and approval of expenditures, monthly monitoring of budget burn rates, and corrective action where spending deviates from plan; ensure timely financial close and budget realignments, where required; ensure submission of high quality reports to TechnoServe’s HQ; ensure that TechnoServe assets (office space, vehicles, technology equipment, etc.), are utilized responsibly and in accordance with organizational policies.
- Human Resources: Recruit and manage a strong local Senior Management Team, consisting of Program Managers, a Deputy Country Director and leaders of the HR, Finance and Procurement functions who can adequately oversee and support day-to-day operations, follow policy, and manage and motivate their teams; ensure that HR and Recruiting policies and procedures are being followed and ensure timely completion of HR-related activities such as staff performance appraisals; keep abreast of local regulations and proactively addressing performance concerns; ensure pay and performance are in line with local labor laws and organizational policies.
- Legal Compliance: Act as primary signatory on behalf of the organization and represent TechnoServe in all legal matters at the country level, and ensure TechnoServe retains and consults with qualified local legal counsel as needed; ensure that TechnoServe is properly registered in India and complies with all local laws including labor regulations; establish and manage a board of directors if required. Execute agreements with local government, bilateral and multilateral institutions, and client groups.
- Regional Coordination: establish and maintain strong working relationships with divisional, regional and HQ teams; ensure information is shared and flows transparently within the country project team, TechnoServe practices, and to the regional program management team.
- Safety and Security: ensure the country office has a robust, well-communicated security plan and for managing safety and security issues in coordination with HQ and external security advisers.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, international relations business or related field, with a minimum of 15 years of experience; or Master’s degree in economics, international economics, international relations/policy, with a minimum of 10 years of experience.
- 5 years’ implementation and management experience relating to large-scale projects with responsibility for all aspects of operations.
- Experience working in developing countries, with a preference for Asia program management.
- Significant operations experience, including experience in budget development and management; private sector experience; donor and stakeholder management experience.
Required Languages: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including fluency in local and English languages.
Travel: Travel up to 20%
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Entrepreneurial and inspirational, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-performing teams in stressful contexts.
- Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises department heads including program and operations staff.
Job Details: Candidates must possess valid, unrestricted work authorization for India. TechnoServe does not offer visa sponsorship for this role. The successful candidate will receive a local employment contract with compensation paid in Indian Rupees (INR). Salary is competitive, aligned with local market rates, and commensurate with qualifications and internal equity.
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