Director of Global Programs

ABOUT US

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

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Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs

The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), a program of the Aspen Institute, is a global network of intermediary organizations that propel small business entrepreneurship in emerging markets. ANDE members provide critical financial, educational, and business support services to small and growing businesses (SGBs) based on the conviction and evidence of the role of SGBs in job creation, stimulating long-term economic growth, and producing environmental and social benefits. Ultimately, we believe that SGBs can help lift countries out of poverty and form the basis of a better development paradigm.

Launched with 34 members in 2009, ANDE now has nearly 250 members that collectively operate in more than 150 countries. Members of ANDE include both for profit and nonprofit investment funds, capacity development providers, research and academic institutions, development finance institutions, foundations and corporations from around the world.

With a U.S. team primarily based in Washington, D.C. and a network of eight chapters across key developing economies in Africa, The Americas and Asia, the ANDE team works hard to support members globally and locally and supports strong ecosystems for entrepreneurial growth and impact through its membership activities and range of global and regional projects. ANDE develops unique initiatives to address systemic challenges and seize opportunities that can only be approached through collective action.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Day to day work involves a wide variety of tasks. Each day will be different, but this role will provide exposure to a wide variety of experience and topic areas throughout the small and growing business sector in developing countries. From organizing roundtables on the role of Development Finance Institutions in providing early stage capital for small businesses to building learning journeys for Entrepreneurship Support Organizations to implement evidence based best practices, to designing sector research on the impact investing landscape, ANDE’s work touches a broad spectrum of subjects and stakeholders. This role requires some established expertise in at least one relevant area and a curiosity and eagerness to learn the rest.

This role is part of the Leadership Team and oversees the crucial function of building the capacity of a Global team of 40 to implement grant funded projects successfully across our global footprint at various levels of complexity. From single country projects that last six months to global multi-year initiatives across all of our 8 regions, ANDE staff need to have the tools, processes and guidance to achieve their project deliverables, manage their budgets effectively, and make sure projects are tailored to serve ANDE network members well. The successful candidate will be able to draw from years of experience directly managing large scale projects and also be an effective mentor, trainer and partner to less experienced staff to learn by doing.

This role will directly supervise all 100% project funded roles (fluctuates between 3-5 staff currently) and coordinate the whole ANDE team who are involved in project implementation. Building systems to ensure effective coordination of complex projects and accountability for every team member to play their role will be crucial to success in this role. This is a hybrid position, with a minimum of two days per week in the DC office. The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $145,000.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Leadership

• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement a global program strategy and work plan with regional chapters for their grant funded activities.
• Participate as a member of ANDE’s Leadership Team in the overall decision-making process.
• Communicate regularly with the Leadership team, ANDE all staff and Advisory Boards about the status of projects, highlighting successes and addressing challenges.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Finance & Operations Director on business strategy, developing a plan to set and meet annual goals and revenue growth.
• Manage Program Management team, with key oversight of the program managers, joining meetings and training the team as needed and stepping in to influence the work whenever necessary.

Development

• Contribute to project fundraising via donor cultivation especially among multilateral and bilateral donors; Maintain effective communication with donors as well as translating donor requirements to project personnel in-country as needed.
• Contribute to proposals and case studies as an input provider, reviewer and approver.
• Co-lead pitch meetings to secure new business. Actively engaging current and prospective donors and members.

Program Management

• Develop projects while guiding and overseeing all project implementation, including project design, project budgets and implementation, in conjunction with regional chapter heads and other senior leadership.
• Oversee new funding of work with a kickoff, ensuring smooth, quality, and on-time implementation of deliverables, and analyzing performance when the work is complete.
• Ensure that ANDE’s high reputation of quality project delivery is maintained with projects being delivered on time and within budget, through effective project management and planning.
• Ensure seamless communication and collaboration across all client/donor-related activities, delivering exceptional client service for all projects across all contracts and agreements.
• Coordinate with the Finance team and Project Managers on contracting and invoicing for donors and vendors.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Skilled professional with a minimum o10 years of program management in an international development focused nonprofit sector organization; At least 3 years supervising a team of program managers implementing multi-year projects.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in relevant area such as Business Administration, Finance or International Development preferred.
• Strong track record of engagement with government and/or multilateral donors in small business development, or adjacent sectors related to entrepreneurship leading to projects in excess of $1M USD in scope.
• Highly organized, goal-oriented self-starter who excels at handling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and works well under pressure.
• Strong understanding of small and growing businesses in developing economies as a mechanism for economic growth and local development.
• Prior experience directing or managing international teams on programs, projects, and events.
• Ability to represent ANDE at senior level and interface with external partners speaking knowledgeably on topics connected to private sector development, entrepreneurship and the small and growing business sector.
• Strong cross cultural competency.
• Excellent spoken and written communications skills.
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills required.
• Prior professional experience living and working in one or more of ANDE’s target markets in Africa, the Americas or Asia preferred.
• Project Management Professional certification or equivalent experience managing projects preferred.
• Experience working with an ANDE member organization (past, present or potential member) or experience that would help one appreciate the perspective of intermediaries who work with entrepreneurs day to day is highly desirable.
• Second language skills especially Spanish, Portuguese and/or French a plus.
• Ability to travel internationally as needed (10-25%).

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter including salary expectations, and a resume through the online portal. Applications without cover letter and salary expectations will not be considered.

We are only recruiting candidates who are legally authorized to work in the US and those who do not require sponsorship. Candidate must also have the ability to meet the regular attendance policy of the Aspen Institute.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

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