iDE Nepal Vacancy for Country Director

For 40 years, iDE has been a leader and pioneer in market-based approaches to development, helping nearly forty million people navigate their way out of poverty. We strongly believe that markets are the most powerful force for a significant, widespread, and lasting impact on rural prosperity. iDE’s mission is to create income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households. Our track record speaks for itself as we have increased the average annual household income of the people, we reach by $220. Stemming from our own research and development, we design products and business models to give communities and rural businesses the tools to increase their incomes and improve their well-being. iDE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Denver, USA, with an annual budget of $33.5 million, over 1,000 staff in 14 offices globally, and funding since inception from more than 150 donors. iDE currently operates 11 country programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

The Role

Our Country Director must understand how market systems operate and have a proven track record of fostering the development of inclusive businesses. This position requires the right competencies in designing products and services for the ‘base of the pyramid’ to create social and economic impact. Our ongoing Nepal program strongly emphasises agriculture and WASH in rural communities, with projects spanning digitisation of the last mile, integrated pest management, business development services to support smallholder producers, financial inclusion and fintech, and sanitation marketing.

The Country Director reports into the Global Operations Department, receiving support from iDE headquarters staff based in Denver, Colorado and from our senior leaders and technical staff throughout Africa, Asia, and Central America. The Country Director also works closely with the iDE offices in Canada and the UK when funding is generated from those offices. The Country Director is responsible for ensuring iDE’s mission, staff, finances, assets, and legal standing are strong in Nepal. This position will be based in Kathmandu with an expectation of up to 25-35% travel within Nepal. Some international travel will also be expected.

The Country Director (CD), Nepal is responsible for every aspect of program activities in Nepal, including:

• Strategic leadership in contextualizing iDE’s moon shot and related strategy for the Nepal program.
• Country program planning, implementation, and performance review.
• Developing a pipeline of high impact work in Nepal.
• Financial leadership and accountability for iDE Nepal programs.
• Maintaining a high level of public identity and strategic relationship in Nepal for iDE.
• Staff management, mentoring, coaching and development.

We are looking for someone who shares iDE values, passion, and commitment.

Our selected Country Director must have well-developed analytical and financial skills, understand how market systems operate, have a good comprehension of inclusive business models, and must bring leadership and technical competencies to ensure products and services are designed with ‘base of the pyramid’ clients to create inclusive social and economic impact.

Above all, our new Country Director must know how to lead, motivate, and inspire a team.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, International Development, Applied Economics or related field or equivalent experience, with 4 years of relevant senior management experience required, and 6 years or more preferred. A masters’ Degree is a plus.
• Ability to think creatively and to see where opportunities exist for iDE to innovate its use of technology (GIS, ICT, etc.) for planning and implementing operations.
• Technical knowledge of at least one of the following: market systems development, agriculture, nutrition, WASH, climate-smart technologies,
  financial inclusion, and impact investment, among other potential areas of growth for iDE. Experience in more than one area is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies and lead a strong team in a diverse community. Proven track record cultivating staff to achieve their highest potential.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and to foster a cooperative environment with peers in other iDE offices.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising, business development (grants and/or contracts), and donor communications and management.
• Proven know-how in monitoring and evaluation and adaptive management and track record of working in multicultural environments.
• Proven ability to manage and effectively use financial management information systems.
• Strong management and problem-solving skills; effective use of independent judgment.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite and G Suite/Google Workspaces.

Apply