Director, Central America Program

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Position Announcement
Director, Central America Program

About Trickle Up:
Founded in 1979, Trickle Up empowers people living in extreme poverty to take the first steps out of poverty, providing them with resources to build livelihoods for a better quality of life. In partnership with local agencies in five countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, we provide training and seed capital to launch or expand livelihood activities, and savings support to build assets. In 2010 we supported nearly 9,000 women, improving the lives of 45,000 people. Trickle Up, headquartered in New York City, has an annual budget of about $4.5 million, with field offices in Mali, India, and Guatemala, and a staff of about 40. Over ninety percent of Trickle Up participants are women; 12 percent are affected by disabilities. See www.trickleup.org for more information.

The Opportunity:
Reporting to the Vice President for Programs, you will manage the Central America Regional Representative and support his/her team in the development and implementation of a strategy that is regionally appropriate and aligns with our new 10-year vision. Based in New York City and traveling to the region up to four times annually, you will oversee the work of our field office in Cobàn, Guatemala, and our team of six. The field office was opened in 2008; since then, we have supported about 1,200 families per year in poor, rural communities in both Guatemala and Nicaragua, focusing on some of the most vulnerable women. Working through 9 local partner organizations, we help build sustainable income-generating activities, self-confidence and social capital.

Within the framework of our new vision, you will provide strategic guidance to the Regional Representative in developing approaches for the achievement of our mission in the Central American context, focusing on outcomes-oriented program development, poverty targeting, implementing and learning from quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation, and a sustainable livelihoods approach. You’ll support the field team to ensure the Central America program reflects Trickle Up’s mission and values, aligns with our strategic plan, and incorporates cross-regional learning. Responsibilities will include supervising management of our first USAID grant in the region on inclusive development for people with disabilities, and collaborating with our fundraising team in proposal development, reporting, prospecting, and related activities. You’ll also participate in the development of a new strategic plan for TU, and contribute to policy development and other organization-wide and cross-sectoral work.

Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
• Supervise, advise and guide the Regional Representative. Provide strategic planning support, conduct field visits to monitor program performance, and stay well-versed in field office operations, concerns and challenges, and the regional context. Represent Central America program and field team in all headquarters activities.
• Monitor field staff work, office administration and general program activities.
• Support development, implementation, and learning from monitoring and evaluation tools and systems, in collaboration with Monitoring and Evaluation Director.
• Coordinate development of, be accountable for, and track expenses against regional budget in collaboration with headquarters finance team and field office team.
• In collaboration with fundraising and communications team, contribute to fundraising proposals, reports and communications materials, help maintain key donor relationships, and represent the region with donors and at conferences and other events. Oversee grant management and reporting for specific donors as needed, including USAID.
• Proactively network with key actors in the region and the US to further our understanding of the context and strengthen our work.
• Contribute to organization-wide events and processes including strategic planning, policy development and fundraising events as appropriate. Play an active role in program team work across all regions.
• Stay up-to-date on safety and security in the Central America region, and support implementation of the Safety and Security Policy.

The Person:
Trickle Up seeks a committed, strategic, and experienced director for our Central America program, with substantial experience in livelihood development. S/He will be passionate about our mission—service to those living in extreme poverty—and will bring new ideas and approaches to our work. The successful candidate will have the following profile:

Education and experience:
• Master’s degree in international development or related field.
• At least five years’ program management experience related to sustainable livelihoods.
• At least two years’ work experience working on poverty alleviation in Central or Latin America.
• Experience in program design and integrating monitoring and evaluation into program management.
• Experience as an effective long-distance manager and supervisor, with top-notch team leadership and cross-cultural skills.
• Experience with financial management.
• Experience in collaborating with fundraising staff to write grants and donor reports.
• Experience managing USAID-funded programs highly desirable.

Knowledge and skills:
• Outstanding writing and speaking skills in both English and Spanish (critical).
• Proven ability in strategic planning.
• In-depth knowledge of the region’s history and rural development-related challenges.

Behavioral competencies:
• Diplomatic, strategic, and adaptable.
• An independent worker with vision and integrity.
• Results-oriented; can clearly communicate expectations; makes the most of limited resources.
• Highly collaborative: effective both as a team player and a team leader.
• Keeps current with and contributes to field learning through participation in conferences, blogs, etc.

Other requirements:
• Authorization to work in the U.S.
• Ability to travel internationally at least 20% of the time. Comfortable traveling alone and under occasionally demanding conditions (i.e., in rural areas with basic amenities). Understands the safety and security risks inherent to this position.

The successful candidate will join a multicultural team committed to the alleviation of extreme poverty. Trickle Up promotes a collegial, high-performing organizational culture in which staff communicate and collaborate openly, and are reflective, innovative, and mutually accountable.

Salary and Benefits:
We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits for this full-time position.

To Apply: Send cover letter and résumé (in English) to CADirector@trickleup.org  with your last name in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until position is filled. Position will be open as of May 9, 2011. Please do not respond if you don’t have the requisite language skills. We will only contact those individuals we are interested in interviewing. Please, no phone calls.

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