Country Director, Myanmar

Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant.

Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Position Summary:

The Country Director leads the implementation, coordination, management, and representation of Pact’s large and complex country program in Myanmar. S/he is responsible for the growth, development, and timely and efficient implementation of the country portfolio, working in a politically-sensitive context. Responsibilities include oversight of the program, including team management, operations, new business development, program planning, financial monitoring and reporting, management of procurements and partnerships, and compliance with Pact’s policies and donors’ award terms and conditions. In addition, the Country Director is responsible for all senior representation with the government, donor community, and other stakeholders in country, and for the Country Office’s contributions to Pact’s global activities and initiatives. The Country Director reports to the Asia-Eurasia Regional Director.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Management

• Serve as team leader charged with the execution of program activities and achievement of program results.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and reporting on all program plans and activities.
• Lead all budgeting, planning, and reporting for all award programs in the country portfolio.
• Coordinate all technical assistance and administrative support activities under the program.
• Coordinate effectively with other major Pact initiatives and structures in Myanmar, including Pact’s MFI operations and Pact’s Smart Power rural economic development and rural electrification platform.
• Proactively explore social business opportunities in line with Pact’s global transformation.
• Ensure the timely and complete submission of all performance reports and responses to donor requests for performance, success stories, and financial information for the program.
• Ensure that all program deliverables are met in a high quality and timely fashion.
• Ensure compliance with all donor-related, Pact, and program-specific policies.
• Supervise and mentor all Leadership Team and other senior management staff.
• Oversee the management of subgrants, procurements, consultancies, and other project commitments with outside resources and partners.
• Lead regular Country Office strategic planning.

• Lead Country Office-level new business decision-making, partnering.
  Finance & Accounting

• Strengthen and maintain financial management systems in line with Pact’s global policies and procedures; ensure such systems are in line with donor rules and regulations.

• Oversee and coordinate technical support to improve the systems of internal control and financial management of Pact staff.

• Ensure that the accounting system is maintained and upgraded on time to ensure production of efficient and effective financial reports for Pact Myanmar, Pact HQ, and donors.

• Ensure preparation and submission of complete and accurate financial reports and cash requests to Pact HQ and donors.

• Oversee month-end financial summary reports for country office financial management.

• Lead budget development as well as budget preparations for cost extensions and program revisions with the objective of full cost recovery and realistic cost projections.

• Manage the budget ensuring all costs incurred by Pact Myanmar have been provided for, including compliance with local laws.

• Review and monitor program budgets vs. actual expenditures through reports generated from Pact Myanmar’s financial system and those generated from Pact’s global financial management system.

• Undertake regular analysis of contracts and agreements that Pact Myanmar has received and lead the preparation of budget amendments for negotiation with donors.

• Supervise and manage directly the Pact Myanmar Finance Director. Coordinate with appropriate HQ finance personnel, including regional financial advisor.
  Personnel/Administration

• Oversee execution of financial management and administration policies and ensure that policies and procedures (new and existing) are clearly communicated to staff, and are respected.

• Ensure that all required documentation is available and stored as per Pact regulations.

• Provide financial and administrative information, as required, to Pact Myanmar staff, donors, and Pact HQ.

• Ensure compliance with all donor-related, Pact, and project-specific policies.

• Supervision of senior management staff, including Deputy Country Representative, and others.
  Liaison/Coordination

• Lead and coordinate politically astute, professional, diplomatic, high-level representation, including both state and non-state actors.

• Represent the program with current donors, the government of Myanmar, private organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other multi-lateral and bilateral organizations working in Myanmar and in the region.

• Liaise with donor personnel on funded activities. This includes the donor’s technical representative, the Agreement Officer, and other point personnel from designated donor representative departments and offices.

• Liaise with Pact Headquarters Program Delivery, Agreement Management, Finance, and Compliance & Accountability staff to monitor donor regulations and policies for changes affecting the program.

• Coordinate with other donor implementing partners on common objectives and activities, as needed.

• Serve as the country new business development lead, linking with relevant HQ departments, including Opportunity Development and Global Engagement, focusing on a variety of donors including the private sector.
  Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Perform all work safely and maintain a safe working environment.

• Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or higher and at least 10 years of demonstrated experience as a team leader/senior manager of multi-sectoral, multi-donor, multi-partner funded program portfolios (or equivalent).

• Demonstrated experience/knowledge of leading or managing large integrated development programs in areas such as livelihoods, WASH, maternal and child health, community governance, and conflict transformation.

• Knowledge of a diversity of donors, including USAID, UN, DfID, private foundations, and European governments. Experience working with multi-donor trust funds a plus.

• Highly adaptable, with proven experience in politically complex contexts. Skilled and adept in mediation among competing interests.

• Outstanding human resource and staff management skills and experience.

• Outstanding program management skills, as well as experience with establishing and maintaining operations systems (general management and administration).

• Experience in Southeast Asia, preferably in Myanmar or a similar country context.

• High level written and oral communications skills, including fluency in English.

• Ability and willingness to travel on short notice.

Disclaimer: This job description summarizes the responsibilities assigned to the position; however it does not contain an all-inclusive list of responsibilities. Periodically, employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. Employment at Pact is a voluntary “at will” relationship.

Please apply at http://pactworld.force.com/careers/VanaHCM__Job_Detail?Id=a33f1000000zcK1