Madagascar: Country Director, Madagascar

We’re seeking passionate individuals, regardless of background, for the Country Director of Human Network International’s office in Madagascar.

Job Location

Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Duration

Full-time position – One-year contract to begin. Strong possibility to extend.

Organization Description

Human Network International (HNI) is a global development organization dedicated to bringing the benefits of technology to individuals and organizations working in the developing world. We work across all sectors to promote the free flow of information between vulnerable groups and the humanitarian and development professionals dedicated to helping them.

Our clients are humanitarian and development organizations with ambitious missions to make the world a better place. We help them to improve their operations, engagement and impact. They trust us to deliver the innovative thinking and technology that empowers them to succeed. By joining HNI, you join a diverse community of bright individuals whose purpose is to design, create and deliver innovative technological solutions with the goal of bridging the development divide.

HNI specializes in three areas of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D).

• Data Collection– HNI strengthens the capacity of organizations around the world to modernize their data collection efforts. We created DataWinners, an online, do-it-yourself mobile data collection service for organizations working in the least developed countries in the world.
• Mobile Search Engines– HNI creates the “321” Service: A free on-demand information resource accessible using simple mobile phones – a search engine for those without access to the Internet. In Madagascar and Malawi, millions of isolated people use the 321 Service to get the information they need when they need it.
• Mobile-to-Mobile Surveys– HNI opens new lines of communication between Project Managers and beneficiaries to collect feedback from target group members.

Job Description

External and Donor Relations

• Represent HNI to national government agencies; key stakeholders such as donor agencies, private sector partners and NGOs; in legal, administrative and public hearings and donors in host country maintaining excellent relationships with donors and relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain active participation of HNI Senior management on relevant government ministries and technical committees.
• Manage public relations efforts such as the development of annual reports, success stories, press releases and fact sheets; host donor visits; and supervise the development of any other PR publications or activities.
• Ensure that HNI is an active participant of national and partner working groups, committees, the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and any other relevant bodies as appropriate.
• Represent HNI in all legal, administrative and other public proceedings, and in all meetings
• Clearly articulate the value addition and advocate for donor support of the HNI Network.

Program Development

• Create and oversee the implementation of the HNI Madagascar strategic plan with regular updates HNI’s Regional Director.
• Scale up HNI programs to ensure greater contribution to the overall national impact.
• Analyze potential new program areas and opportunities for innovation.
• Lead new business efforts, including fundraising, developing, implementation and scale up of activities:
• Identify upcoming funding opportunities in Madagascar
• Partner with International and Local organizations to submit bids
• Approach stakeholders in Madagascar to improve awareness of HNI’s work and seek out partnership opportunities
• Develop clear objectives with staff that are linked to HNI platform minimum standards, platform strategic plan and donor deliverables.
  Oversee the creation of annual plans and the development of evidence-based programming.
  Review and approve research conducted in support of programs, and evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of program activities.
  Coordinate with appropriate HNI’s Regional Director to ensure that program activities follow best practices.
  Ensure that HNI projects are contractually compliant, including meeting all reporting requirements and deliverables in line with donor and HNI standards.

Human Resources Management

• Maintain appropriate management structure to support program activities and to meet HNI minimum standards.
• Oversee and ensure staff recruitment and induction is in line with HNI competence based recruitment principles.
• Ensure that staff mentorship, coaching and career development is provided to all staff.
• Provide adequate pay and benefits to retain qualified staff within the limits of donor budgets and following a platform salary matrix that is competitive with industry standards.
• Establish and follow a regular performance evaluation system for all staff.
• Ensure that senior managers are leading Capacity Building efforts
• Directly manage and mentor staff members, as per the platform’s management structure.
• Ability to coordinate, multitask and delegate
• Strong listening skills and ability to approach situations and challenges with an open mind

Financial and Internal Controls

• Develop and manage both annual and project budgets in accordance with donor, Government and HNI regulations.
• Ensure regular review of expenditures against project budgets at the departmental level to ensure that there are no losses.
• Ensure the application of internal controls over the procurement, use and protection of resources.
• Ensure that all HNI financial policies and procedures are followed and validated by internal evaluations and external audits.
• Develop economies of scale and other cost efficiencies through a supply chain system that includes a stringent risk management plan and minimum standards of performance.
• Meet HNI minimum standards for implementing financial systems and submitting monthly financial reports to headquarters.

Institutional Development

• Oversee the implementation of the HNI Institutional Development Plan that includes fundraising
• Oversee the process to extend HNI’s Accord du Siege with the Government of Madagascar.

Successful candidates for this position will:

• Be a proven leader
• Drive the recruitment, hiring, and management of the HNI Madagascar team.
• Ensure excellent collaboration among our stakeholders by removing roadblocks and fostering communication
• Help shape the future of our organization as a member of HNI’s Management Team.
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, transparent, non-hierarchal, and ego-free culture where your talent is valued over a role or title

Qualifications

• A willingness to do what it takes to get the job done. Whether that means going back to the drawing board with a problem or simply taking on different roles and responsibilities for a period of time, you thrive at adapting to changing environments
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize and coordinate
• Demonstrated ability to manage large teams to ensure that programmatic objectives are met.
• Proven ability to work independently, flexibility and willingness to adapt to new tasks as needed
• Good common sense and ability to approach situations and challenges with a creative and open mind
• Bottom line focus and solution-oriented
• Excellent attention to detail and thoroughness
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French
• Good cross-cultural and interpersonal skills
• International work and life experience is required
• Most important, you must be passionate about making change in our world

Preferred Start Date

Flexible (but soon!)

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. HNI is a dynamic and rapidly growing organization with great potential for career advancement, paying a meaningful salary for long-term placement in developing nations.

Career Development

Quarterly reviews and constant feedback. We will invest significant time in your career development.

Email cover letter and resume to jobs@hni.org (Subject line: “Country Director Position” + name of the site that referred you).

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until a candidate has been hired.