BIBLIOTHEQUES SANS FRONTIERES/ LIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS
Libraries Without Borders (BSF) is a global NGO working to provide quality access to information and education to the most vulnerable populations. Since 2007, BSF has been bringing knowledge to those who are deprived of it. To achieve this, we work alongside field actors to create strategies for the dissemination of knowledge.
BSF has partnered with hundreds of local organizations worldwide to establish safe spaces where affected populations can actively engage in activities, promoting social cohesion, peace-building, and individual and collective healing in critical conditions such as displacement, conflict and post-conflict or after a natural disaster.
A 3 pillar approach:
· INNOVATIVE TOOLS: To reduce barriers in access to information & education
· TAILOR-MADE CONTENT: To respond to the identified needs of the targeted populations
· FACILITATION & TRAINING: To maximize the impact of the programs and tools.
The Ideas box, ultra-portable multimedia center and the Ideas Cube, a 100% autonomous server for collective and intensive use, have have been developed by BSF to provide educational and cultural resources to vulnerable groups around the globe. Bibliothèques Sans Frontières offers a catalog of open access content with over 30,000 resources available in 24 languages.
PROGRAMME IN BANGLADESH
Bangladesh has been on the front line of the Rohingya crisis for over 30 years. Since the events of the 25th of August 2017, more than 700,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Today, there are nearly 1 million refugees in the country. The sudden increase in the number of Rohingya arrivals has stretched the capacity of humanitarian organizations operating in Bangladesh. These newcomers are hosted in refugee camps but also in overcrowded makeshift camps, in schools, community centers, religious buildings.
Since 2018, BSF has been conducting interventions aiming at supporting access to education, culture and information and to strengthen protection of the district's communities in partnership with INGOs and UN agencies.
Ideas Box have been deployed in partnership with IOM and with INGO partners to enhance the resilience of the Rohingya refugees and host communities around the following thematic:
· Access to information, education and culture
· Individual and collective expression
· Life skills and soft skills
· Social cohesion
· Learning skills and knowledge transfer mechanism
In 2021, BSF aims at providing additional support to partners to reach a more efficient use of the Ideas Box and Ideas Cube, as well as a deeper rooting of the activities and thus a stronger autonomy of the community. Exploring potential synergies with new partners will also be a key priority to contribute to providing better access to information and education to additional beneficiaries.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
To lead our operations in Bangladesh, BSF is seeking a dynamic and result-oriented Head of Mission who will play an essential and strategic role within our team to support the development of the mission’s operational strategy, to ensure high-quality program implementation and to strengthen BSF’s program portfolio in country. BSF is currently implementing several projects with funding from IOM and the French Centre de Crise among other donors.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the management of the BSF International Desk Manager in HQ, the Head of mission ensures the leadership and strategic orientation of BSF’s operations in Bangladesh. The Head of mission is BSF’s representative in country and as such oversees all programs, teams and mobilization of resources to achieve expected outcomes, in line with BSF’s strategy and procedures.
He/she is responsible for the coordination with all stakeholders including UN, local actors (NGOs, Authorities) and INGOs. He/she is in charge of the external representation to the authorities, donors, and other stakeholders/partners. He/she is expected to develop a fundraising strategy and secure funding accordingly.
He/she supervises the proper implementation of the programs, in line with the BSF country and global strategy and in compliance with the BSF procedures and partners’ requirements.
The Head of Mission is also responsible for the management and capacity-building of BSF team in country.
He/ She is responsible for the security and safety of all teams, beneficiaries, programs and assets in country.
Main priorities:
In liaison with HQ, identify potential operational partners and funding opportunities, and then lead the development of project proposals and negotiations at field level.
Oversee the implementation of quality programs and the mobilization of the adequate resources (HR, finance and logistics)
Follow-up on BSF’s registration in Bangladesh and support any action required for that purpose.
QUALIFICATION & SKILLS
Education and Experience
Master’s degree in a relevant field (International Relations, NGO management, etc…) or a degree from Bioforce Institute is preferred
A previous successful experience in a similar senior management position (at field or country level) within an International NGO.
Experience managing a team (expatriate and national)
Knowledge of main institutional donors and of the humanitarian architecture
Good command of the project cycle and finance reporting
Experience in security/safety management
Mastery of Microsoft Office suite
Fluent in English, French would be a strong asset.
Skills:
· Ability to represent BSF towards different stakeholders with outstanding communication skills, including excellent diplomacy skills with the ability to influence and negotiate.
· Flexibility, adaptation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle a wide range of themes from macro to micro and to manage priorities.
· Thorough, organized, and reliable, with the ability to work autonomously
· Strong interest for BSF’s mandate and vision
· Ability to withstand pressure
· Interest for digital education and new technologies is appreciated
· Great sense of humor and good team member!
CONDITIONS OF HIRING
· Status: Renewable, 6-month fixed contract (CDD d’usage)
· Start date: 1er September of March 2021**
· Location: based in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
· Salary and benefits: salary based on experience and BSF salary scale, per Diem, insurance, lodging in Guest House, unaccompanied post.
This vacancy is archived.