Project Director, READ Program in Bangladesh

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world. Join our dedicated and diverse staff in their work to improve the well-being of children everywhere.

We are currently recruiting for a Project Director (or COP) is responsible for the overall project management, supervision, administration, and implementation of the “Reading Enhancement for Advancing Development Activity (READ)” project in Bangladesh. The project is funded by USAID valued between $14M - $15.4M for a period of four years. S/he will provide strategic and operational leadership to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate the improvement of Bangladeshi children’s reading skills within their first three years of primary schooling through instruction, increased supplementary reading materials, facilitation of community engagement in early grade reading and providing teachers with a standardized reading diagnostic tool. S/he will be responsible for leading a team of technical specialists and implementing partners to ensure high-quality and effective program delivery and to support national level change. S/he will liaise closely with relevant ministries of the Government of Bangladesh, USAID, community leaders, civil society, schools, districts, business partners, and other USG agencies.

Responsibilities

• Represent Save the Children and the project in formal and informal relationships with USAID, government authorities, education donors, national partners, and other stakeholders, as appropriate. • Work with SC education sector leadership to identify strategic opportunities for program innovation and partnerships to maximize impact. • Lead the preparation of annual work plans and oversee the production of accurate and timely reports as well as other deliverables to the donor. • Supervise project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in a manner consistent with Save the Children’s working principles. • Implement appropriate and meaningful approaches to address gender, girl’s and women’s empowerment, as well as constructive engagement of men in Bangladeshi context. • Ensure representatives and leaders at the national, directorate, and community levels are informed of program progress and best practices. • Work with partners to identify and develop relationships with appropriate local organizations to assist in the implementation of the project. • Ensure that efficient systems are in place to support high quality programming, including sub-grantee and grant management and project monitoring and evaluation, and that they support the effective use of project resources in compliance with USAID regulations • Oversee the dissemination of reports and effective communication of learning and best practices related to project activities. • Ensure that financial systems support Save the Children’s accountability to USAID and that financial reports are timely and complete.

Qualified candidates should possess the following skills: • Masters Degree in Education preferred or in a related field, with a preference for PhD level education qualifications. • Minimum of seven years of professional experience leading the implementation of education projects as Project Director/Chief of Party level. • Proven experience in a leadership role and administrative oversight in primary education and development program management, including managing budgets and personnel, motivating and supervising team efforts and achieving success in complex, demanding environments. • Experience in building organizational capacity and programming activities relative to reading, primary education and development through both formal and non-formal approaches and possessing strong professional credibility within this field. • Proven expertise in building and maintaining relationships with government counterparts at the central and local levels as well as with partners and beneficiaries. • Experience in managing USG funding and familiarity with donor rules and regulations. • Commitment to ensuring a gender equitable and inclusive work environment, including recruitment and staff development. • Strong understanding and knowledge of evidence-based and promising reading models and best practices in improving and institutionalizing quality reading programs within public education systems, with preferred expertise use of technology to do so. • Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations to achieve desired results. • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. • Regional experience is preferable.

How to apply:

To apply, please visit our website at: www.savethechildren.org under the Careers page for position #6872. EOE