International Development Managing Director

Job Description

AIR is seeking a highly experienced international program leader and manager to oversee the International Policy, Practice and Systems Change (PP&SC) unit. The qualified candidate will have a proven track record in leading and managing teams for the pursuit of new business and preparing proposals, managing large projects, working with international donors, designing technical program interventions in areas such as education and youth development, language, literacy, childhood development, educational assessment, youth livelihoods, and workforce development, and managing large projects. Responsibilities This Director will assume responsibility for oversight of existing projects and business development, working with AIR staff around the globe, partners, and consultants. This Director, with the support of AIR staff, will help build PP&SC International’s capacity to design and provide on-the-ground, in-country interventions and solutions in areas such as workforce development, educational assessment, youth livelihoods, literacy, and early childhood development.

The role and responsibilities of the candidate will be to:

• Lead business development and proposal development activities resulting in an expansion of AIR’s international development work across a broadened range of projects and for an expanded set of clients and donors.
• Develop strategies that grow work in specific countries/regions by networking with donors (USAID, bilateral organizations, UN agencies and foundations), analyzing their priorities/opportunities for AIR to respond, and gaining in-country partnerships with relevant local government and nongovernmental agencies and consultants.
• Design program interventions for capacity building through training, technical assistance and resource development in the areas of youth livelihoods, workforce development, early childhood development, literacy, and assessment.
• Conceptualize and write winning proposals to gain donor support.
• Oversee review of current projects for quality control, including client satisfaction and high-quality performance.
• Guide the staffing of project teams, including coordinating with other AIR units as required, to bring the appropriate multi-disciplinary resources to bear on client needs.
• Ensure the provision of evidence-based, high-quality technical assistance and capacity building support.
• Drive the incorporation of research and evaluation knowledge and expertise into the execution of international development projects.
• Achieve revenue, fee and overhead targets for the Unit.
• Raise visibility of AIR’s international work by attending industry conferences, making presentations, and building relationships with donors and potential partners.
• Lead internal administrative and operational meetings as required. Qualifications The qualified candidate can work from one of AIR’s many office locations either in the U.S. or internationally or remotely.

• A Master’s degree or higher in international development and relevant technical focus.
• 10 years of work experience cultivating donors, designing concepts/programs for international development and aid programs, writing winning proposals and leading/managing funded projects in one or more of these areas: workforce development, educational assessment, youth livelihoods, literacy, and early childhood development.
• Experience managing large projects and teams.
• A strong reputation among US and international funders for the provision of innovative, cost effective, and quality services.
• Experience in the delivery of international development services, including client relationship management.
• Experience in business development and familiarity with the procurement processes and cycles for identifying and winning international work.
• Presence and communication skills to demonstrate competency with donors.
• Proficiency in Arabic, French or Spanish is an asset.
• Willingness to travel internationally about 10-15% time.