Director Regional Office in West Africa Full Time

Developpement international Desjardins is looking for a director for its West Africa regional office. Since 2004, DID has operated a regional office for West Africa based in Dakar, Senegal, to support its mission of increasing economic empowerment for disadvantaged populations through financial inclusion, entrepreneurship support, and inclusive finance.

As a manager, you are responsible for the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the office, as well as the management and planning of human, material, and financial resources. You oversee business development for the office and are responsible for securing new projects. You ensure that the office meets its objectives within the planned budgets and timelines, in accordance with the strategic planning directions and targets. Your relational skills, political acumen, and ability to lead with influence, develop talent, and achieve results are essential.

General Responsibilities

Regional Office Management

• Optimize the performance and cost control of DID’s West Africa regional office by planning, organizing, directing, and monitoring.
• Develop and implement the annual work plan for the office based on DID’s strategic directions and the annual market development plan.
• Provide leadership that encourages individual and team contributions and promotes accountability toward achieving objectives and desired results.
• Establish management practices that foster mobilization, cohesion, accountability, and skill development, consistent with organizational values.
• Contribute to defining the required competency profiles in terms of expertise and optimize employee billing across different projects in synergy with headquarters resource optimization.
• Ensure compliance with working conditions, DID standards, various funders, and local regulations.
• Manage risks, including those related to personnel safety.

Business Development:

• Actively participate in business development, from prospecting to contract negotiation with funders.
• Propose and implement strategies and activities to secure projects, whether through unsolicited proposals, tenders, or concept notes.
• Provide support and write technical and financial content for service proposals.
• Establish and maintain healthy relationships with various stakeholders (funders, partners, administrative and institutional authorities).
• Demonstrate innovation to position DID in diverse markets, addressing client needs related to climate finance, climate change-adaptive financial services, youth employment, and access to health services.

Project Management Oversight:

• Manage logistics and operationally coordinate the activities of team members involved in various projects and the regional office.
• Establish processes and mechanisms for monitoring project activities and evaluating impacts. Ensure accountability to relevant bodies.

Requirements

• You hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. A master’s degree is a significant asset.
• You currently possess a valid work permit for Senegal.
• You have a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, including 3 years in managing a multidisciplinary team.
• Your in-depth knowledge of international development issues through various funders and bid dissemination networks is essential.
• You are recognized for your effective management of deliverables, adherence to deadlines, and strategic thinking.
• Your ability to quickly grasp issues, negotiate, and achieve results aligned with the company’s strategy sets you apart.
• As an exceptional communicator, you can influence decision-making at all levels and garner buy-in from all stakeholders in both French and English.
• Your strengths lie in analysis, conceptualization, synthesis, and writing.
• You excel at seizing opportunities, thinking outside the box, and managing ambiguity.
• Your political acumen, team mobilization skills, and transparent information sharing distinguish you.
• Experience working in West Africa, particularly in one or more UEMOA countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo), is a major asset.
• You are available for travel within the West Africa sub-region.

Position Conditions: Employment Status: National Employee. The provisions of Senegal’s labor code and collective agreement will apply.

If this challenge resonates with you and you meet the qualifications, please submit your application by June 26, 2024, at www.desjardins.com (Job Request R2406847).

Note that applications will be reviewed continuously, and interviews will be conducted accordingly