Program Director, Sri Lanka Civil Society Resilience Activity

Overview

Location: Vavuniya, Sri Lanka

Please Note: This position is contingent upon award and US Department of State approval with an anticipated start date of July 2025.

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.

Global Communities is seeking a Program Director for the anticipated United States Department of State Sri Lanka Civil Society Resilience Activity. This anticipated 18-30 months $1 million program aims to build collective civil society resilience and enable better advocacy initiatives to create a thriving civic space in Sri Lanka. The 2024 parliamentary election in the North and East highlighted the fragmented political landscape and evolving dynamics within the Tamil electorate, with increasing demands for addressing local issues such as economic development, human rights, and reconciliation. The North and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, still grappling with the aftermath of a prolonged civil conflict, continue to face high unemployment rates, limited access to quality education, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential resources, which hinder economic growth and development. This has exacerbated poverty and inequality, leaving many residents particularly women and young people feeling even more marginalized and neglected. The elections have brought renewed attention to these challenges. The newly elected Sri Lankan government has emphasized targeted development initiatives, increased investment in infrastructure, and efforts to address instability in the North and East, increasing the need of civil society actors to be able to engage with government actors in an informed and change-oriented manner. Through this award, DRL aims to strengthen civil society’s effectiveness in advancing the goals of their community, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in the North and Eastern province.

The Program Director will lead and oversee the overall implementation of the program, including technical strategy, financial and operational leadership, and human resources. We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive.

Responsibilities

The Program Director is responsible for overall program implementation, strategic vision, and outcome achievement. The Program Director provides an integrated vision for the program and will manage a team to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the project. S/he will utilize the principles of adaptive management to maximize impact and facilitate innovation. Finally, the Program Director will be responsible for communications with the Department of State, for publicly representing the project, and for liaising with government and other institutions/stakeholders.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Provide program leadership, direction, and supervision, including oversight of staff, consultants, and partners, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation.
• Lead regular work plan, budget, and implementation reviews to facilitate the cost-effective and timely achievement of deliverables.
• Ensure project activities maximize impact and are completed in compliance with Global Communities, Department of State rules and regulations, local laws, and donor agreement requirements.
• Lead in adaptive management, achieving peak performance and facilitate innovation.
• Oversee the production and submission of timely activity and financial reports to Department of State, effectively and accurately communicating project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds.
• Meet program targets, as well as fiscal integrity of the use of program funds.
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of systems for project operations.
• Act as primary point of contact with Department of State, government counterparts, and other critical in-country stakeholders.
• Responsible for effective written reports and oral presentations on the program.
• Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to international development, public administration, political science, or a related field with a minimum of 8 years of professional experience, including 3 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to civil society capacity building and/or governance; OR,
• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to international development, public administration, political science, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including 5 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to civil society capacity building and/or governance.
• Three (3) years’ experience as Program Director or equivalent, leading implementation of international donor programs particularly related to civic engagement, civil society strengthening, or related subjects; experience with positive youth and women empowerment and engagement is preferred.
• Proven experience in a leadership position involving the administration of similarly sized, international donor-supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting is strongly preferred. International NGO or for-profit contractor experience is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge/Experience with Department of State rules and regulations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USAID policies and strategies, including USAID’s Democracy, Human Rights, and Government Strategy; Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy; Youth in Development Policy; and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Framework.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of relevant local laws, regulations and policies is required.
• Management/supervisory experience is required.
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired.
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities.

Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society. We are committed to a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of everyone and offers equal opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented. The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct.