Required COO for Indian NGO

POSITION SUMMARY: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)

ORGANIZATION: INSTITUTE OF RURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (IRRAD)


Third Sector Partners, a leading CxO and board search firm in the Not for Profit sector has been retained by IRRAD to recruit a COO.


OVERVIEW
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD), based in Gurgaon, Haryana, is an initiative of the S.M. Sehgal Foundation, registered as a Trust in India since 1999 to further the well-being of rural communities in India. IRRAD's mission is to implement Integrated Sustainable Village Development (ISVD) in select village clusters, build capacity in rural development, undertake rural research, improve village governance, and serve as a premier knowledge institution for rural development and poverty reduction in India. IRRAD envisions rural people across India motivated and empowered to make their lives more secure and prosperous through education, better health, improved skills and supportive governance.

IRRAD implements programs and conducts research in the following areas: (a) Life Skills Education; (b) Rural Health; (c) Income Enhancement including Agriculture; (d) Water Management; and (e) Alternative Energy.

It addresses its mission through the following objectives:
• Develop need-based strategies and programs for poverty alleviation through a sustainable model for rural development (ISVD).
• Undertake research and create knowledge on sustainable and replicable models of rural development.
• Build capacities for rural development through training programs and a network of partner organizations.
• Analyze the impacts of local, state and national policies on rural development, helping the rural poor make best use of policies intended to benefit them; and advocate for policy reforms when needed.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The S. M. Sehgal Foundation is looking for a dynamic individual in the capacity of COO who shall provide the leadership to IRRAD in its efforts to create positive social impact.

The incumbent would have to work with diverse partner organizations, numerous stakeholders, and ensure effective networking with donor and funding organizations. The incumbent is expected to be a self-starter and display initiative, an entrepreneurial bent of mind, and sturdy components of patience, maturity, flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work in a cross-cultural and flexible environment and deliver results through innovative problem solving skills.

The role will be based in Gurgaon and report to the Mr. Jay Sehgal, Executive Director, and Board of Directors of the S.M. Sehgal Foundation.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COO
1. Planning, organizing, directing, controlling and monitoring of the operations and overall success of the organization.
2. Lead, motivate, and manage the Human Resources in order to achieve the objectives of the group, and ensure the effective performance of the units. Be a leader and a team builder with excellent ability to get along with people, motivator of people, persuasive and perceptive.
3. Undertake all fund raising efforts for IRRAD and position it to become financially self sustaining.
4. Provide leadership in developing strategic, organizational and financial plans
5. Maintain fiscal responsibility for the annual budget. Implementation of the budgeted activities and reporting on progress to the Board and Executive Director.
6. Represent IRRAD at various conferences and symposiums and establish effective networking with donor and funding organizations.
7. Identify and develop new partnerships with business and community leaders. Work closely with the various project partners to strategize on the way forward on the programs of the Organization.
8. To promote and communicate about the programs & activities of Institute with internal and external stakeholders.
9. Enhance and manage the brand image of the IRRAD as a leading Institute through increasing credibility, accountability and transparency.
10. Ensure development, monitoring and evaluation of all division/departmental functions and ensure implementation of approved recommendations, in order to contribute to the improvement and effectiveness of project operations.

MUST HAVE
• A visionary with minimum 12-15 years of experience with a successful track record of general management experience and leadership in a professional environment.
• Strong operations management skills, which will involve large scale human resources management, financial & budgetary management, fundraising, organizational development, planning and goal setting activities.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage and motivate high performing teams.
• Excellent skills in building & sustaining relationships with multiple stakeholders – government, international partners, national NGO’s, funding agencies and target communities.
• Strong communication & representational skills.

PREFERABLE
• Good understanding of the work environment in the not-for-profit sector.
• International exposure.

COMPENSATION DETAILS:
The compensation is commensurate with qualification and experience.

Interested individuals may please submit their CV, a cover note and 3 references by email to application.irrd@gmail.com with the subject line indicating COO - IRRAD. Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted. The last date of receiving applications is 10th April 2009.



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