Team Leader

About the role

Crown Agents is preparing to bid for the highly anticipated FCDO-funded Samarth programme. Samarth will work to improve social sector governance in Nepal, improve access to quality social services, and strengthen preparedness against shocks.

Crown Agents is seeking an experienced Team Leader based in Kathmandu to provide leadership, strategic direction, and managerial oversight of Samartha, and thereby ensure that the programme achieves its ambitious objectives. Recruitment is contingent upon the successful award of the programme, and the selection of the final applicant is subject to FCDO approval.

Responsibilities

Leadership & strategy

• Set strategic direction, soliciting feedback from other team members and programme stakeholders, and securing their buy-in
• Build a cohesive, efficient and outcome-oriented team, supporting and inspiring them to deliver the programme’s objectives.
• Lead the integration of a systems thinking approach to implementation.

Technical oversight

• Oversee the development, delivery and continuous review of the technical strategy and detailed work plans to achieve results and drive value for money.
• Lead development of activity terms of reference, collaborating with other team members as required.
• Quality assures technical outputs, ensuring delivery to a high standard within agreed timelines.

Stakeholder management

• Proactively identify and map programme stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate engagement strategies.
• Establish and maintain productive, trust-based relationships with counterparts in the FCDO, the Government of Nepal and other programme stakeholders.
• Engage regularly with other development partners operating in the social sectors to ensure complementarity of effort and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Operational management

• Lead implementation of an adaptive approach to programme management, ensuring the team regularly reflects on progress and lessons learned and considers alternative courses of action.
• Proactively identify and document risks, formulating and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies
• Work with the programme manager and accountant to implement routine financial management and reporting tasks.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning

• Review and approve the programme’s monitoring and evaluation framework, ensuring appropriate log frame indicators and milestone targets are agreed upon with the FCDO.
• Support the programme MEL adviser to establish and implement appropriate procedures for collecting data and evidencing programme performance.
• Engage positively with any external evaluation processes, facilitating access to programme documentation and stakeholders as required.

Communications & reporting

• Represent the programme in technical conferences, policy briefings and other fora.
• Publicise programme achievements and lessons learned within the organisation and wider development community.
• Lead all client reporting on programme progress.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion & Safeguarding

• Working with technical specialists in GESI and safeguarding, be accountable for compliance with FCDO requirements and Crown Agents GESI and safeguarding policies.
• Create a culture of collective accountability, where every staff member is familiar with key GESI and safeguarding concepts and applies a GESI and safeguarding lens to their workstream.

About you

Person Specification:

• Advanced degree (MSc, PhD, MD) in a relevant field, such as public health, social science or management
• At least ten years of experience in social sector governance programmes, including experience in Nepal.
• At least ten years’ experience in senior programme management positions (e.g. Team Leader, Chief of Party, Programme Director, Deputy Team Leader, Deputy Chief of Party)
• Excellent people management skills, including coordinating teams and consortium partners based in multiple locations.
• Existing networks with development partners, governments, CSOs and other key stakeholders in Nepal and strong external relationship management skills.
• Demonstrable commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, as evidenced by experience managing programmes with a strong GESI component.
• Experience of working on FCDO programmes (desirable)
• Full Nepali language working proficiency (highly desirable)

Number of years of experience is indicative and we will consider candidates that have the relevant experience gained within fewer years.

About us

Crown Agents is a high-impact social enterprise passionate about transforming the future for millions of people. Since our creation in 1833, we have worked across the globe to improve public services and drive economic growth. Our expertise is finding new solutions to difficult problems for clients in the areas of health, governance, economic growth, humanitarian action, and supply chain services. We work with and train leaders at local, national, and international levels to achieve lasting change by drawing on our insight and experience.

Crown Agents is an equal opportunity employer and offers a competitive salary and employee benefits. We support a work-life balance and an individual’s desire to learn beyond the experience gained at work through both personal and professional development and growth opportunities.

Crown Agents is committed to diversity and will always promote diversity for all candidates as well as a business culture that reflects that belief. Crown Agents will treat everyone equally irrespective of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation, and place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act by the policy. Crown Agents shall not discriminate unlawfully when deciding which candidates are selected for interview, or in any terms of employment, and will ensure that each candidate is assessed only by their merits, qualifications, and abilities to perform the role. Crown Agents is committed to being an organisation enhanced by diversity and encourages applications from anyone who shares our values and commitment to improving the lives of communities affected by poverty or conflict.

About what’s on offer

Crown Agents offers a competitive salary and benefits package.