Program Director, North Africa--Discovery Channel

Program Director, North Africa
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) - Morocco or Silver Spring, Maryland, USA (with significant travel) (Washington D.C. Metro Area)
Job Description

Title: Program Director, North Africa

Location: Morocco or Silver Spring, Maryland, USA (with significant travel)


Position Summary: The Program Director, North Africa, will report to the VP, Global Education Programs. Country Representatives for Egypt and Morocco report to this position.

Success in this position will hinge on effective management of current school-based projects in North Africa in accordance with organizational priorities and donor contracts; fully engaging donors and government partners; and spearheading new partnerships and funding for expansion in the region. The Program Director, North Africa, will be a key player in leading the design of new projects in existing countries and even new countries.

Primary Responsibilities: Specific duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

Supervise relationships with national and local stakeholders, with particular emphasis on developing collaborative relationships with Ministries of Education and funding partners.
Effectively manage donor relationships including events and reporting.
Manage representatives/coordinators in participating countries (currently Morocco and Egypt).
Develop and manage country operating budgets.
Ensure effective project implementation, personnel and financial management, and program evaluation in each country.
Build and strengthen existing and new partnerships in the public and private sector in order to leverage resources and ensure program success and sustainability.
Cultivate new funding opportunities and partnerships in region, including research, proposal and budget development, in collaboration with VP, Global Education Programs, and other senior management.
Regularly visit projects to coach and monitor local staff, assess and monitor project sites, and maintain donor/stakeholder relationships (travel requirements will vary – estimate up to 40% travel depending on the stage of projects and the location in which candidate is based).

Desired Skills & Experience


Requirements

Proven success in managing international education development projects in North Africa or the Middle East including implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Proven ability to work effectively with public and private sector leaders as well as community members in developing countries.
Experience must include developing and managing operating budgets, managing in-country personnel, stakeholder and donor development and management, and proposal and report writing.
Excellent budget management skills, with solid understanding of budget issues relevant in developing countries; strong attention to detail.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for a variety of audiences: donors, governments, press, and grassroots communities.
Strong management skills, with a style that is inclusive, results oriented and team based.
Strong strategic thinking skills and interpersonal skills; flexible and adaptable.
Fluency in Arabic.
Experience managing corporate and government grants.
Proven cross-cultural leadership and keen awareness of North African culture.
Experience living and working in the developing world.
Excellent creative, innovative, and inquiry based problem-solving skills.
Proven ability to recruit, supervise, motivate and retain diverse, first-class team.
Personal ethics and professional integrity of the highest level that will engender total confidence in business conduct.
Bachelors Degree or international equivalent required; Advanced degree and/or equivalent work experience a plus.
Legal right to work in the United States, if based in Maryland office.
To apply please send cover letter, resume, and references to:

gep_recruiter@discovery.com

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
No relocation will be offered for this position. This is a position with the nonprofit Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, not with Discovery Communications, Inc.
Company Description

Organization: Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to using the power of media to transform education and improve lives in the developing world.
Additional Information

Posted:
April 19, 2011
Type:
Full-time
Experience:
Director
Functions:
Project Management
Industries:
Nonprofit Organization Management
Job ID:
1562390