Program Director

Experience Required

More than 5 years

Required Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Finance

Project Planning

Public Relations

Strategic Planning

Samaanta Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive higher education Fellowships to meritorious students from underserved communities in Nepal. We provide a fully residential program that includes language and computer training, civic engagement and leadership workshops, mentorship, and other forms of support, including a monthly stipend, to ensure that our Fellows not only participate but succeed in the system.

Samaanta Foundation is in its 15th year of operation, and we have now grown to support 140 Fellows over this period.

As we strengthen our model and expand our Fellowship in the coming years, we are looking to hire a driven, passionate, hardworking, and self-sufficient leader in the role of Program Director to help grow and strengthen the organization further. We are a values-driven organization and we are looking for a leader with a continuous learning and improving mindset to join us.

Reporting

The Program Director is accountable to Samaanta’s Board of Directors, and will report to the relevant Board member. The Program Director is a permanent position, with a probation period of six months, and six-monthly reviews thereafter.

The Program Director is a new position at Samaanta. They will hold overall responsibility and accountability for leading the internal team at Samaanta effectively. This will involve all Samaanta programs and activities, including selection, academic and personal growth and welfare of the Fellows, monitoring and evaluation, staff management, and alumni engagement. The Program Director will also support the Board in building and maintaining relationships with all partners and stakeholders. This leadership role will be instrumental in institutionalizing the organization, helping build effective systems, processes, and partnerships that hold Samaanta’s culture and ethos at their core.

The key roles and responsibilities of the Program Director are listed below, but these are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. The Board retains the right to add or change these roles and responsibilities, which will be done in consultation with the Program Director.

1. Strategy and Program Oversight

Work with the Board of Directors to refine the vision and future direction of the organization

Lead the delivery and implementation of this vision

Provide organizational leadership, oversight, and guidance to ensure effective delivery and alignment of programs

Develop annual budget, regularly monitor and review progress against budget, and plan the medium term (3- 5 year) financial strategy for the organization

Develop, oversee, and monitor a plan of action, including an annual calendar of programs – including workshops, training, and events- based on consultation with the Board, Friends of Samaanta, funders, and other external stakeholders.

Develop an alumni engagement strategy including an alumni tracking system and an annual plan of activities

Report to the Board regularly on the organization’s activities, progress, and challenges

2. Staff Management

Mentor, supervise, manage, and motivate all staff and interns to build a strong team who are geared toward delivering on their tasks and the organization’s mission

Lead regular staff meetings, with a focus on agreeing goals, reviewing performance, identifying opportunities, improving collaboration, and improving efficiency

Lead an effective, collegiate, supportive, and motivated organizational culture among all staff

Lead on the recruitment of new staff and their onboarding

Set clear goals and objectives and conduct annual appraisals for all staff, supported by ongoing reviews throughout the year

Periodically review staffing to be aligned with the ambitions of and resources available to the organization

3. Communication and Public Relations

Represent Samaanta in public, helping the organization find its voice as a key provider of comprehensive higher education Fellowships in Nepal

Help leverage Samaanta’s institutional learning to establish Samaanta as a stakeholder in the policy arena in higher education

Oversee the development and implementation of the organization’s Communications strategy, in collaboration with the Strategic Partnerships Officer and the Board

4. Fundraising and Partnerships

Help develop and oversee a fundraising strategy for the organization

Support and guide the Strategy and Partnership Officer – and other colleagues as needed – to identify new partners, develop funding proposals, and pursue fundraising activities

Cultivate new and manage existing partnerships with stakeholders in education, public sector, development agencies, and corporate sectors to promote and strengthen Samaanta’s mission

5. Program Delivery

Support and guide the Program Officer (PO) – and other colleagues as needed – to manage the annual selection of new cohort of Fellows

Support PO in college placement and academic support to the Fellows

Design, manage, and systematize an annual calendar for Samaanta, with a focus on the all-round development of the Fellows. This will include supporting and leading on extra-curricular sessions, skills development,internships, and work placements for the Fellows

6. Finance, Administration, and Compliance

Support and guide the Program Officer – and other colleagues as needed– to maintain detailed records of all activities and expenditures

Monitor the budget on a regular basis

Enhance recordkeeping systems, train and enable the team towards the systems, and regularly review record keeping and documentation of all organizational processes and outcomes

Ensure Samaanta’s legal, financial, and governance compliance in terms of annual reports, audits, grant requirements, and any other requirements

7. Governance

Keep the Board informed about key updates, challenges, and opportunities on an ongoing basis, seeking support and escalating on issues as appropriate

Work closely with the Board on strategy development, Fellowship co-design, fundraising and partnership development, and systemic influencing

Qualification

Extensive experience of building systems and processes in a growing organization

Empathetic, proven leader with a commitment to equity in education and social justice

At least five years of work experience in leadership roles, including in managerial positions, in the development, not-for-profit, and/or education sector in Nepal

Understanding of and commitment to Samaanta’s mission and values of service, leadership, and paying it forward

Minimum one year experience of working with and mentoring young people (aged 16-25)

Demonstrated history of effective line management, teamwork, and collaboration with diverse team members

Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, on multiple assignments simultaneously

Ability to work flexibly, and in an iterative and adaptive manner

Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills in Nepali and English

Location: The Program Director will be based in Thapagaun,Kathmandu, with a few visits each year to different parts of Nepal for recruitment and other relevant organizational activities.

Salary: NPR 65,000 - 75,000 per month, with some room for negotiation commensurate with qualifications and experience

Start date

As soon as possible

Samaanta Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

About Company

Samaanta Foundation is a not-for-profit organization which provides comprehensive higher education fellowships to meritorious public school graduates from rural communities in Nepal.