Deputy Fund Director

Under the direct supervision of the Fund Director, the Deputy Fund Director will bring excellent strategic leadership skills, a track record of success in managing diverse teams to achieve results in complex, conflict-affected areas; and strong grounding in food security, livelihoods, and nutrition. They will be expected to address the following key challenges: 

Leadership and Management:

• The Deputy Fund Director will provide strategic leadership to LIFT’s  Fund Management Office;
• Act (ad interim) in the Fund Director’s role when required, e.g. in the absence of the Fund Director;
• In delivering on the LIFT’s strategy, provide the Fund Director and Fund Board with strategic analysis, advice and guidance for programme opportunities and associated risks;
• Provide strategic oversight to the portfolio and thematic quality assurance in the implementation of LIFT’s strategy;
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks or issues that prevent the Fund from delivering on its objectives, and initiate and lead or support adjustments or facilitations for improvement when required;
• Take responsibility for risk management, work planning, learning, and knowledge management;
• Oversee and improve programme quality and compliance, including the Fund’s approach to ‘downstream partners’ (sub-grantees)
• Supervise, manage, and coach a large number of staff who may be geographically dispersed so that team tasks and duties are clearly linked to delivering LIFT’s strategic objectives and outcomes;
• Lead innovation in the development sphere with a particular focus on technology and private sector; fostering strategic relationships and alliances to incubate context-specific ideas for scale-up across diverse environments;
• Manage a cadre of international specialists as well as consultants and technical experts, ensuring the provision of coordinated and consistent expert advice to key partners, stakeholders and teams;
• Identify, share, and build on best practices and lessons learned in programming, policy, and management across the organization.

Strategy:

• Lead regular and ongoing strategic reviews of LIFT’s portfolio and approaches to ensure the Fund’s investments maximize results and value for money. Together with relevant Senior Management, oversee implementation;
• Work with teams to ensure that LIFT delivers on its multi-year strategy;
• Embed the breadth of LIFT’s technical power and diverse sources of analysis for decision-making – including food and nutrition security, climate change, GEDSI, social protection, rural development and agriculture, and the integration of localization across all of the Fund’s work;
• Support or lead strategic discussions related to LIFT’s work, including in international fora when required.
• Donors-relations and Partnerships
• Under the overall authority of and delegated by the Fund Director, represent LIFT in its relations with donors and other partners, as requested.
• Lead the development of funding proposals to harness new funding sources;
• Ensure partner calls for proposals meet the quality output required for LIFT’s mandate and donor expectations;
• Build and strengthen strategic relations with stakeholders;
• Build and maintain strong relations with partners;

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree preferably in rural development, business administration or management, public administration, or international relations is required.
• Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience could be considered in lieu of a Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project management in a relevant field is required.
• At least 7 years of experience  leading and managing diverse teams working (and achieving results) in complex and conflict affected areas is required.
• Solid experience in working on and/or understanding of food security, livelihoods, food systems, agricultural development, and nutrition is an asset.
• Solid practical experience  working within the UN system is highly desirable.
• Experience of working for a major donor would be a significant advantage.
• Experience of working in innovation space of a private sector entity is a significant advantage.
• Knowledge and experience of working in Myanmar and/or Asia is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English required.
• Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29856#1