REGIONAL MANAGER – MIDDLE EAST

Location: Based in Amman, Jordan, with frequent travel
Reporting Manager: Director of Programmes
Direct report: Four employees
Start date: April 2021 onwards
Remuneration: $82,000 to $95,000 USD per year depending on level of experience and qualifications, plus benefits

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Research and Communications agency that specializes in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design communications solutions for positive change in fragile and development settings. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation.

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media and academics to design innovative, relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world.

MAGENTA’s Middle East team works across four countries currently (Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen). Projects include research, strategy development, SBC intervention implementation, and evaluation.

We are looking for exceptional individuals, driven by a keen desire to deliver social impact and who thrive in a fast-paced environment. The Middle East Regional Manager is responsible for the technical and commercial performance of the Middle East. Regional Managers work very closely with the Director of Programmes and are important business partners to the Senior Management Team. Qualified candidates will be bold, curious and rigorous. The position will initially be based in our Amman, Jordan headquarters, with regular travel regionally

Primary responsibilities of Regional Managers are the following (1) regional operations oversight, (2) programme strategy and design, (3) quality assurance on programme implementation and (4) business development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities of Regional Managers include:

Operations

· Regular reporting to Director of Programmes and Senior Management Team

Financial management:

· Responsible for regular financial reporting and forecasting for Middle East

· Responsible for P&L management for Middle East

· Planning and oversight of resources and budget for MAGENTA Middle East

Compliance:

· Responsible for agreement reviews and authorisation

· Responsible for ensuring adherence to compliance policies and processes for MAGENTA Middle East

People and culture:

· Management of a growing multi-cultural team spread across countries

· Growing and mentoring the Middle East team, including performance management

Programme Design

· Leading and guiding the development of social and behavioural change communications strategies and campaigns across MAGENTA Middle East programmes

· Ensuring the Middle East team integrates social and behavioural change principles from behavioural science, behavioural economics, psychology and sociology

· Facilitate brainstorming and design workshops

Programme Implementation

· Responsible for quality assurance of programme implementation from a technical and operational perspective

· Responsible for timely implementation of MAGENTA programmes across Middle East

· Identify technical services (incl. research, creative, etc.) to support the Middle East team

Growth

· Lead MAGENTA’s growth in Middle East

· Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and partners in Middle East

· Identify and convert business opportunities for MAGENTA in Middle East

· Leading strategy components of proposal, delivering client pitches, and developing client relationships

· Representing MAGENTA at conferences and events

REQUIREMENTS & COMPETENCIES

Education:

· Relevant degree from a top tier university;

Experience:

· 6-8 years professional experience in the development sector, preferably with a focus on SBCC/communications for development or research, and at least 3 years of experience managing a multi-cultural and results-driven team;

· Knowledge of and experience living in Middle East strongly desired;

· Excellent written and spoken English, regional language proficiency is a plus;

· Technological fluency

Leadership:

· Ability to provide a clear vision of the organisation’s objectives and values;

· Demonstrated ability to develop others;

· Excellent communicator able to manage conflicts and guide team through change;

· A service-oriented leader, able to recognise and meet client needs;

· Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities;

· Demonstrated desire for excellence and an ability to inspire others to attain professional excellence;

Commercial acumen:

· Strong commercial acumen;

· Robust understanding of corporate key performance indicators;

· Demonstrated experience successfully leading organisational growth;

Strategic thinking:

· A high-level strategic thinker, with a keen desire to learn and consume new information;

· Robust logic chain analytics and strong general analytical skills;

Culture:

· Willingness to live and work in developing/post-crisis settings;

· Good sense of humour, personable and demonstrated ability to build networks;

· Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to get hands dirty;

WORKING CONDITIONS

· Some long hours including evening and weekends to complete tasks or attend events

· May involve working in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure