Turkey: Regional Programme Director

Position: Regional Programme Director

Location: Preferred location is Gaziantep, Turkey, Beirut can be considered

Application Deadline:5th of May 2019

Duration: Full time for 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Start Date: As soon as possible

The Regional Director is the leader of one of Spark’s regional hubs and is accountable for all Programmes and staff in the region. The incumbent directly manages one or two programmes, and guides the work of other programme managers and support staff in the region.

The Regional Director implements Spark strategy in the region, is accountable for meeting the financial goals, initiates and supports acquisition and holds responsibility for the performance and well-being of our staff in the region. The Regional Director is an entrepreneur with vision on Spark’s activities, is analytical and decisive and knows how to lead and engage staff.

The Regional Director is direct people manager to the 5 Country Managers as well as to some of the supporting staff in the Gaziantep Hub. He/she reports to the Director of Programmes and is an active member of SPARK’s Core Team dealing with organisation and programme related strategic planning.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

• · Ensure that all programmes in the region are implemented according to plan and within budget as per agreement with donors and partner organisations.
• · Coordinate with donors, UN agencies, relevant NGOs and other stakeholders at country and regional level in close coordination with the Country Managers and the Board of Directors. This entails establishing new relationships as well as managing the existing ones.
• · Ensure harmonization and learning at programme and projects level between SPARK’s programmes and local partners on a regional level. Promote on the job learning.
• · Represent SPARK and its programmes when needed and advocate in different country and regionally for more access to higher education and economic opportunities for youth.
• · Pro-active acquisition and follow up on new programme ideas with the Acquisition Team and in close coordination with the country managers and the General Director.
• · Executes Spark’s People Strategy across the region, focused on engaging and retaining our talented staff and attracting the right people for the job. Promote SPARK values.

Requirements and Skills

• Academic degree in relevant discipline for example international development or business administration.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in international development combined with experience in entrepreneurship/SME development.
• At least 3 years of experience in leading a multi-country, multi-culture team.
• Experience working in the Middle East and preferably some years working in fragile and conflict affected states.
• Full professional proficiency in English. One or more of the languages spoken in the region is strong advantageous, especially Arabic and/or Turkish.
• Leadership style which is focusing on capacitating people but not afraid of being on the fore-front when required.
• Proven track-record in acquisition
• Excellent analytical stills and the capacity to remain oversight and keep focus in a fast-paced organization.

SPARK Offers

• A challenging and exciting position in an international environment with currently
• A monthly salary between 4.000 EUR to 5.500 EUR gross based on a fulltime appointment and on relevant experience for this position
• If needed, SPARK will support in obtaining a work permit.
• Passionate team to work with.

How to apply?

If you have any questions regarding SPARK or the position, please visit our website www.spark-online.org.

Please apply through SPARK’s online application platform at https://vacancy.spark-online.org/ Deadline for application is 5^thof May 2019. Reference: Regional Programme Director.

All applications will be assessed on rolling basis; interviews can therefore take place before the application deadline. However, due to the large volume of applications we receive, we cannot respond to every applicant individually. There may be a delay between the deadline and the moment we contact selected applicants.

If you have not received a reply we regret to inform that we have continued with other candidates.

About SPARK

SPARK offers access to higher (vocational) education and supports entrepreneurship

development in fragile and conflict affected states so that young, ambitious people can

lead their societies into stability and prosperity. Over the last 24 years, SPARK has built a

strong record of accomplishment in over 25 states in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. In

doing so, SPARK contributes to laying a foundation to rebuild conflict-affected regions, once

the conflict is over. For example, SPARK is the largest university- and higher vocational

scholarship provider for Syrian refugees and one of the largest providers of coaching, training

and access to finance for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMES) in the MENA region.

By collaborating with local organisations, SPARK builds local capacity to enable sustainability

of its programmes. SPARK is a dynamic and growing, international not-for-profit development

organisation with 100+ staff members, in more than 12 offices.

We believe that sustainable, economic growth is essential for the alleviation of poverty. By

offering private-sector development services to young people in conflict-affected regions,

we believe that the potential for further conflict is significantly reduced.

In terms of business development in fragile states, we are a full-service organisation. We offer

a range of options that enable local partner organisations to provide existing SME’s and new

entrepreneurs with all the tools they need to flourish. In the past decade, SPARK has set up

around ten Business Support Centres in the EU and Africa. Business plan competitions are also

often organised, and winners of these competitions receive business skills trainings. Another of

the tools we offer is value chain development and access to finance. Finally, we work closely

with various governments in fragile states to improve conditions for entrepreneurs and job

creators.