Solutions Director

Organization: NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) – Hosted by Adeso (African Development Solutions)

Reporting to: NEAR Program Director

Working With: NEAR members/partners, NEAR Secretariat, and External Stakeholders

Duty Station: Remote

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of renewal)

Starting Date: January 2024

ABOUT NEAR:

NEAR is a movement of local organizations reshaping the humanitarian and development system to one that is locally driven, owned, and built around equitable, dignified, and accountable partnerships. NEAR is a membership-based organization with members from four regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. NEAR is currently hosted by Adeso, an African based international development and humanitarian organization. Adeso and NEAR both aspire to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: Influencing policy change and enacting systemic change through innovative solutions led by local and national actors.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Solutions Director at NEAR holds a pivotal role in advancing our mission to reshape the humanitarian and development landscape into one that is locally driven, owned, and built on equitable partnerships. The purpose of this position is to provide visionary leadership to the Solutions team, driving the development, implementation and scaling of initiatives that empower communities in the Global South. The Solutions Director will strategically lead the team in utilizing human-centered design principles and agile methodologies to manage complex initiatives, fostering deep community engagement and contributing to the localization of aid responses. With a commitment to innovative solutions and sustainable impact, the Solutions Director will play a key role in steering NEAR towards a future where local voices are amplified, and communities are at the forefront of their own development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide visionary leadership to the Solutions Team, setting strategic goals aligned with NEAR’s mission.
• Drive the development, implementation, and scaling of initiatives that enable the localization of aid response and foster community engagement in sustainable local solutions.
• Work with various stakeholders across the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors to ensure Global South thought leadership in developing and scaling locally led solutions.

Team Management:

• Manage and lead a multidisciplinary Solutions Team, ensuring effective collaboration, communication, and cohesion.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and agile problem-solving within the team.

Project Management:

• Oversee the management of complex initiatives in the Global South, from inception to scaling.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in adherence to high-quality standards.

Human-Centered Design:

• Leverage human-centered design principles to shape solutions that address the unique needs and perspectives of communities in the Global South.
• Provide internal and external support to staff and members in utilizing human-centered design approaches in their work.

Agile Management:

• Utilize agile methodologies to manage the Solutions Team and drive responsiveness and adaptability in the face of evolving challenges.

Community Engagement:

• Develop strategies for deep community engagement, ensuring that local voices are heard, valued, and integrated into the design and implementation of initiatives.

Capacity Strengthening:

• Identify opportunities for capacity strengthening within the team and among members/community partners, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Skills Demonstration:

• Demonstrate a proven track record of managing complex initiatives in the Global South.
• Showcase experience in human-centered design and managing agile organizations or teams focused on solving complex development challenges.
• Demonstrate passion for enabling the localization of aid response and fostering deep community engagement in sustainable local solutions.

Qualifications:

• Senior professional with extensive experience managing complex initiatives in the Global South.
• Proven track record of successfully managing agile organizations or teams focused on solving complex development challenges.
• Experience with human-centered design principles and a passion for enabling the localization of aid response.
• Strong team management skills with the ability to lead and inspire a diverse team.
• Out-of-the-box thinker with the ability to manage multiple initiatives at different levels from inception to scaling.
• Prefer proficiency in English and a second NEAR language (Arabic, French or Spanish)