Overall Responsibilities

The main function of the position is to ensure project implementation according to the Project Document and Business Plans approved by the Donor/Project Management Board. The Team Leader assures overall coherence of the project as well as project performance in line with the guidelines and targets outlined in the project document and business plan. The project manager is the key spokesperson to SDC and the host ministry of the project in GoB.

Implementation & Stakeholder Management

• Establish and maintain structures and instruments for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Ensure that all planning and reporting documents are submitted to donors and GoB on time with sufficient quality;
• Ensure the project activities are implemented effectively and that necessary and informed course corrections are made to achieve the project’s outcomes;
• Prepare and conduct donor/project management board meetings each year;
• Establish and maintain operational and administrative procedures to manage the project;
• Manage project administration according to Swisscontact and project internal regulations and procedures;
• Capitalize the project lessons and produce knowledge products which capture project learning;
• Represent the project outside, specifically to partner organizations, government institutions, private sector, national and international development agencies, regarding all matters of the project and Swisscontact‘s interests;
• Maintain effective working relationship with the donor by providing timely information on all relevant project matters according to agreed procedures
• Participate and represent the project and Swisscontact in national and international meetings, seminars, committees, work groups, etc. which deal with the advancement of inclusive market development and SME development in general and Bangladesh specifically.

Staff Management and Capcity Building

• Assure coherent team structure with staff from diverse background and skills set for effective implementation of the project activities;
• Mentor and coach staff to build their capacities on various technical and management issues pertinent to the project;
• Create a learning environement within the project team and develop and implement a structred staff capacity development plan.

Financial Management

• Develop yearly budgets;
• Ensure the resources are spent effectively, transparently and according to the approved budget;
• Ensure that agreed accounting standards and procedures are followed
• Maintain financial controlling instruments (monitoring and reporting) according to Swisscontact Internal Control System; • Ensure that all financial reports to the donor and the GoB is accurate;
• Ensure that all expenditures are made in compliance with Bangladesh’s applicable laws.

The individual must conform to the following qualifications:

• At least a Master’s degree in Economics, Business Adminsitration, Development Studies or equivalent;
• Minimum 10 years of relevant and progressive professional work experience, and at least 5 years of experience at the senior management and leadership role for implementing market systems development initiatives;
• Good understanding of SDC‘s working principles and methods and strong understanding and practical experience of applying Market Systems Development approach in overcoming development challenges is a must;
• Understanding of poverty issues and vulnerability context in Bangladesh will be preffered;
• Previous experience of managing donor relationship and understanding GoB reporting for Technical Asisstance Project Proforma (TAPP) will be highly valuable;
• Proven experience of managing team with diverse skills set;
• Proficient written and oral communication skills in both Bangla and English;
• Demonstration of awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity;
• Must possess the right to accept employment in Bangladesh.