Program Manager, Indonesia

Position Title: Program Manager

Status:   7 month contract (renewable with acceptable performance and funding)

Location: Indonesia (based in Jakarta)

Date: Immediately

Job Summary:  

The Program Manager is directly responsible for the on-the-ground leadership and implementation of the AppLab program in Indonesia.  You will provide strategic and operational leadership by working closely with a range of AppLab partners (a multi-national technology partner, mobile operators, government ministries, NGOs, etc), managing local resources, piloting mobile applications and testing business cases, guiding research and social performance management, tracking and reporting results and guiding overall strategy.  In this high-profile position you will shape AppLab evolution, project manage the initiative, and develop, launch and scale applications with the objective of measurable impact, a sustainable business model and broad replication.

Reporting and relationships:  

The Program Manager will report to the Technical Program Manager, Indonesia ICTI.

Availability:  

The Program Manager will be expected to work a standard workweek of 37.5 hours and may be required to work in the evenings and on weekends occasionally.  

Essential Job Functions

Developing and guiding AppLab Indonesia strategy

• Deepen relationships, leverage strengths and understand needs of local partners (major mobile operator, application developers, content providers, social businesses and others)

• Serve as local link with partners based outside of Indonesia

• Gain deep understanding of complementary initiatives, global trends in application usage and learning from related experiences and incorporate into implementation strategy

• Develop recommendations for short-, mid- and long-term AppLab strategy in Indonesia and update regularly based on learning

Project management excellence

• Prepare ambitious but achievable detailed project plans covering small- and medium-scale pilots as well as broad scaling

• Actively manage implementation – problem-solve and remove barriers as they arise, hold team to goals, milestones, schedule and budget

• Provide technical subject matter expertise and work closely with partners to ensure effective technical implementation

• Craft effective education and demand generation programs 

• Develop creative, efficient and effective training programs with the potential to reach  Village Phone Operators or other trusted intermediaries (e.g., midwives, agriculture extension workers, etc.) in multiple geographies

Track and report results

• Clearly define hypotheses, learning goals, and success metrics for each pilot and phase of implementation

• Establish transparent and easily accessible reporting framework to measure and communicate progress on a real-time basis (including budget)

• Prepare timely and comprehensive analyses of pilots, suggest approaches to strengthen applications/business models and draw conclusions about scaling potential & approach

• Prepare summary updates and reports as needed

Manage local resources and vendors/suppliers

• Hire/manage local team in all aspects of work (additional product manager and field officers)

• Develop mentoring relationship with Village Phone Field Officers and Microfinance Institution Field Officers as appropriate

• Prepare RFPs for vendors/suppliers and evaluate responses (as necessary)

• Manage local vendors/suppliers (e.g., outsourced development, market research consultants)

Guide research

• Work closely with local researcher(s) as required to coordinate needs assessment and social performance measurement and research

• Drive local efforts to build needs assessment findings into iterative process of developing and testing new applications

• Disseminate findings 

Ideal Candidate

Outstanding project management skills

• Experienced and savvy project manager with a proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations (ideally in multiple countries)

• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects (strategic, operational and tactical) – with proven ability to work effectively with diverse partners

Strong business leadership abilities

• Strong, innovative and creative problem solver and strategic thinker; 

• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills 

• An entrepreneurial spirit -- with the ability to think strategically and act tactically.  Ideal candidate would have started and run own company, or worked in a leadership role in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment

• Comfort with unstructured problems and ability to manage complexities under pressure

• Ability to promote knowledge transfer through strong mentoring and team building skills

Enthusiasm and passion for our work in Indonesia

• Enthusiasm for learning from different cultures – eager to build cultural realities into products and project plans

• Equally comfortable presenting to a room of business executives and discussing needs with villagers sitting on the dirt floor of a rural home

• Passionate about the work of Grameen Foundation & role of technology in poverty alleviation

Deep understanding of information and communication technology – preferably with practical experience in developing countries

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s  degree in international development, economics, information technology, business or related field; Master’s degree preferred

• At least 5 years of project management or business leadership experience—ideally in a consulting firm, technology company or successful start-up company

• Strong preference for people with information and communication technology experience 

• Work experience in Indonesia preferred

• Fluency in oral and written English and fluency in Bahasa Indonesia is preferred

Physical and Environmental Conditions  

This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort.  This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Additional Comment 

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Interested candidates may apply by email to jobs@grameenfoundation.org. Please put “Program Manager, Indonesia” in the subject line.  No Calls Please.