Regional Program Manager

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Terms of Reference

Title: Regional Programme Manager: Himalayan University Consortium
Programme: Himalayan University Consortium
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Background

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Our aim is to influence policy and practices to meet environmental and livelihood challenges emerging in the HKH region. To do this we bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from the region and around the globe to generate and share knowledge, support evidence-based decision making, and encourage regional collaboration. ICIMOD delivers impact through its six Regional Programmes of Adaptation to Change, Transboundary Landscapes, River Basins, Cryosphere and Atmosphere, Mountain Environment Regional Information System, and Himalayan University Consortium (emerging). These regional programmes are supported by the four Thematic Areas of Livelihoods, Ecosystem Services, Water and Air, and Geospatial Solutions and underpinned by Knowledge Management and Communication. ICIMOD seeks to reduce poverty and vulnerability and improve the lives and livelihoods of mountain women and men, now and for the future. 

The vision of the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) Regional Programme is to contribute to enhanced collaboration among universities in the region and to promote centres of excellence on key topics relevant to the region. The aim is to build a dynamic mountain knowledge partnership among universities, ICIMOD, and regional member country partners to promote research and learning. ICIMOD and universities will work together to strengthen capacity by developing joint research and knowledge management programmes on contemporary topics and, in so doing, help ease some of the shortcomings that regional institutions may have in terms of capacity and funding. HUC partners will be involved in developing and sharing new curricula. Key outcomes will include new curricula adopted and more students relevantly trained to meet the mountain challenges of the future. HUC’s members share resources, facilities, and expertise to provide higher education relevant and accessible to students and communities in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.  

Responsibilities and tasks

The HUC Regional Programme Manager is responsible for the overall management and for building and driving the HUC Regional Programme. This will include active networking in the region and outside, developing concepts and designs, and strategic programme planning and coordination, financial management and budgeting, coordination and communication with stakeholders, monitoring the delivery of results, ensuring proper dissemination of impacts, etc. 

Main responsibilities and tasks

1. Leadership and Regional Programme Management: 
  • Responsible for overall strategic management of the HUC Regional Programme; ensure that the results are consistent, complementary, and in line with the expected programme objectives.
  • Implement the Programme so that it reflects HUC’s principles and values, including the key role of mountain people for the development of the HKH region. 
  • Serve as the member secretary of the steering committee and is responsible for the overall administration of HUC and the development and delivery of its programmes. 
  • Organize HUC workshops and conferences, with specific attention to the participant list, funds allocation, outputs, and report quality.
  • Collaborate with leaders of thematic areas on “Big Research Questions” arising from the HUC Regional Programme.
  • Responsible for linking the major outputs to outcome level and ensuring the achievement of impacts from the regional programme. 
  • Ensure that gender guidelines are administered (gender balance in workshops, women are given chances in leadership roles, etc.).
2. Programme planning, monitoring, and reporting: 
  • Responsible for the overall development of the HUC Regional Programme and actively participates in and provides inputs to ICIMOD’s strategic planning process on academic networking and knowledge sharing.
  • Take responsibility for preparing the ’Annual Plan and Budget’ for the Programme. 
  • In collaboration with the Strategic Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Unit, monitor and adjust the programme to ensure impact. 
  • Ensure timely and high quality reporting to the donors. 
  • Regular review of the activities, budgets, and related expenditure of the programme. 
3. Collaboration and partnership development: 
  • Adhere to institutional norms and practices in line with the partnership strategy and guidelines for partnership development and management with the programme.
  • In coordination with the Partnership Unit, develop and manage the partnerships within the Consortium for strategic collaboration to contribute to the regional programme objectives. 
  • Help coordinate and promote scientific research across the members of HUC, as well as engaging in strategic partnerships with regional science organizations.
  • Work closely with member universities to ensure that programmatic activities are initiated and implemented. Strengthen HKH Universities by sharing resources, facilities, and expertise through development of thematically focused networks of knowledge experts.
  • Enhance the roles of higher education institutions in the HKH as creators, holders, and communicators of knowledge about mountain issues and regions.
4. Communication and outreach: 
  • Primary responsibility for coordinating the internal and external information and dissemination of results regarding the HUC Regional Programme, and for maintaining the website and other news services.
5. Fundraising and resource mobilization: 
  • In close coordination with the Senior Management, contribute to resource mobilization, e.g., write concept notes and proposals; maintain constructive dialogue with sponsors whenever required; explore co-funding opportunities involving regional partners and/or member countries.
6. Human Resource Management
  • Supervise HUC Programme support staff and carry out their performance appraisal.
  • Whenever necessary, ensure efficient and effective engagement of human resources in smooth cooperation with the leaders of the thematic areas.
  • Motivate and inspire team members towards the delivery of high quality results and the achievement of impact.
7. Other: 
  • Develop own professional skills and knowledge by attending relevant conferences and training courses as necessary.
  • Work as a team player within ICIMOD to support other activities and promote institutional goals, and work closely with colleagues at the Centre to contribute to a constructive and professional working environment and to the development of ICIMOD as a fully integrated mountain development centre.
  • Perform other duties as assigned/requested by the Director of Programme Operations or other members of the Senior Management.

Minimum Qualifications

  • PhD degree in social science, business administration, information science, communication, or related field.
  • At least 10 years of work experience in University Consortiums or University Administration
  • Ability to use common office and communication software

Competencies

  • Management and coordination: The ability to plan and manage large-scale programmes on a strategic level, including financial overview, people management, monitoring and evaluation
  • Networking/stakeholder management: The ability to identify relevant partners, build new linkages, and effectively facilitate stakeholder processes, manage conflict and negotiate major programme issues
  • Knowledge: Possess state-of-the-art knowledge on subjects related to the regional programme, and has ability to represent institution in international forums.
  • Communication and outreach: Excellent written and spoken English; the ability to effectively present, discuss, convince people and target groups on different levels with tailored messages; ensure effective channels of communication across the organization
  • Results/impact orientation: Ability to work independently with a strong sense of initiative and self-motivation; the ability to apply a proactive strategic approach within and outside the organization to generate concrete results leading to impacts
  • Social/team competency: The ability to build effective teams including people from different disciplinary and cultural backgrounds and across the organization; give and receive constructive feedback; provide information and share resources across the organization to help make decisions collaboratively and solve mutual problems
  • Report and proposal writing: The ability to write and coordinate the preparation of complex project and programme reports, write successful proposals, and synthesize results from different thematic areas

Duration

Initially for three years with possibility of extension subject to future funding levels.

Starting Date

As early as possible preferably from 1 August 2014

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and qualification as per ICIMOD rules.

Gender and Equity Policy

Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. ICIMOD implements a gender fair policy and is supportive of working women. It operates a Day-Care Centre at the campus and is committed to gender mainstreaming at the organisational and programmatic levels.

Method of application

Applicants are requested to apply online before 22 April 2014 through ICIMOD's Online Application System.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.