Associate Director, Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) and Livelihood

BRAC International (BI) is Hiring! Join BRAC International to create opportunities for people to realise their potential.

Position: Associate Director, Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) and Livelihood

Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya

About the Role:

The Associate Director of UPG and Livelihood at BRAC International will play a pivotal role, providing strategic and technical expertise to shape innovative approaches for UPG and Livelihood initiatives under the umbrella of Economic Inclusion and Social Protection. Reporting to the Director of Programmes, this leadership role entails assuming a central leadership position and focuses on the conceptualisation, oversight, and effective implementation of these initiatives, aligning with BI's mission and strategic objectives. This role is responsible for the external engagement and resource mobilisation for BI's UPG and Livelihood initiatives, fostering relationships, advocating for poverty alleviation, and securing vital resources.

A key mandate of this role is to drive and streamline cross-programme livelihood components, integrating climate change adaptation, gender, and inclusion into UPG and Livelihood development for sustainable, transformative change within communities. The role will also exhibit leadership by ensuring linkages for advocacy, partnerships, fundraising, and coordination with internal teams.

The position will build strong collaborations with key teams within BI, including with UPGI, to expand UPG efforts in BI countries, aligning programme goals with broader institutional objectives. The Associate Director of UPG and Livelihood will lead impactful change both within BI and in the communities it serves.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead expansion and efficient implementation of Ultra-Poor Graduation
• Drive the development and expansion of Graduation programme ensuring that address community needs and align with BI’s strategic goals.
• Bring innovation into the programme design with a cost-effective Graduation model ensuring quality, sustainability, gender integration, climate change adaptation, inclusion, and digitalisation.
• Establish and enforce quality standards and processes for consistent application of the BRAC Graduation approach in all programme/projects.
• Support country teams in designing and refining graduation and livelihood programmes to fit local/national contexts.
• Regularly assess programme performance, identify challenges, and provide timely support to ensure effective solutions.

Lead in Strategies and streamline the Livelihood component in BI

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to develop and integrate livelihood components into all BI programmes.
• Streamline livelihood component for AFSL, youth livelihood, IDP and introduce innovations in climate change adaptation, inclusion, and digitalisation.
• Coordinate and support the livelihood component of AIM.
• Strategise short term and viable livelihood package for the vulnerable population.
• Streamline market linkage initiatives of livelihood programmes.

Collaborate with UPGI to expand Graduation approach and TA for augmented model

• Provide technical assistance to UPGI in programme design, capacity development, and resource mobilisation to scale the Graduation approach globally through government-led initiatives and augmented model implemented by BI countries.

Fundraising, Learning & Advocacy

Build strong relationships with donors, partners and other stakeholders to support fundraising for expansion of Graduation and livelihood programme.

Identify fundraising opportunities and ensure high-quality technical support for all relevant fundraising efforts.

Promote a culture of excellence, learning, and knowledge sharing within the organisation and engage with local and global networks for rolling out of advocacy strategy.

Represent BI in relevant forums, networks and conferences related to Graduation and livelihood initiatives.

Capacity Strengthening:

• Enhance team capacity in programme design, quality implementation, monitoring and knowledge management through targeted training.
• Build a team to provide technical assistance on Graduation and livelihood to UPGI and other stakeholders.
• Promote collaboration within the team, wider Programme team and across relevant functions in the organisation.
• Support the professional development and growth of individual team members.

Safeguarding:

• Establish a safeguarding culture throughout the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy and providing support, guidance and expertise for establishing a safe working environment.
• Ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have resources for addressing safeguarding issues in accordance with the policy and procedure.
• Follow safeguarding reporting procedures for any reportable incident and encourage others to do the same.

Academic Qualifications:

• Masters in Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in poverty reduction, livelihoods, or related development sectors are preferred.

Required Skills, Competencies & Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of Graduation approach, poverty alleviation, and livelihood programmes.
• Strong knowledge of climate resilience, inclusion, and digital innovation in development.
• Proven strategic leadership in designing and implementing large-scale programmes
• Expertise in stakeholder management, partnership building with donors, governments, and agencies.
• Skilled in resource mobilisation, fundraising, and grant management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication, and advocacy skills.
• Adaptable leader with decision-making skills in complex, multicultural settings.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor teams for capacity building and professional growth.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork across functions and regions.
• High integrity and commitment to organisational values, safeguarding and ethical leadership.

Experience Requirements:

• 12+ years of experience in national and international development, with a focus on poverty alleviation, livelihoods, and the Graduation approach.

If you feel you are the right match for the above-mentioned position, please follow the application process to grab your dream opportunity!

External candidates are recommended to email their Resume with a cover letter and any supporting documents to recruitment.bi@brac.net; mentioninga brief academic background, career summary, core competence, professional certifications (if any) etc. within 250 words.

Internal candidates are recommended to apply with their latest Resume including all job assignments in detail and a cover letter mentioning core competence and career aspiration with BRAC PIN and email to internal.bi@brac.net copying their immediate reporting manager.

Please mention the name of the position and AD# 50/24 in the subject bar.

Application deadline: 30 September 2024

BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment policy and procedure include extensive background checks and disclosure of criminal records in order to ensure safeguarding to the fullest extent.

“BRAC International is an equal opportunities employer”