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MCC Representative for Bangladesh
IP - Asia
Sep 15, 2020
The person in this position will be responsible to provide overall leadership to a mature, multifaceted MCC program with a budget of $700,000 that supports already-existing Bangladeshi agencies by providing expatriate volunteers, grants and technical support. An MCC Rep role may be filled with a married couple sharing the role, with a single person, or with a married candidate whose spouse is not interested in a Rep role, in which case MCC would discuss possible roles for the spouse. MCC will consider a variety of options to support the Rep in their roles and responsibilities, based on the qualified candidates who apply.
All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required for all MCC Representative Positions:
Minimum Education Level: BA/BSc or equivalent
Minimum Experience: International experience and MCC experience preferred
​Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).

1. Relational Skills: Ability to form, foster and maintain positive, working relationships with MCC service workers, MCC staff, local churches and MCC partners, building trust by demonstrating integrity in actions and communications and modeling the values of the organization. Ability to create an environment on the team that is supportive of staff who may experience oppression or sexual violence.
2. Supervisory Skills: Ability to manage/supervise personnel, which includes staff appointments and terminations, performance appraisals, interpreting and enforcing policies, conflict resolutions/problem solving and development of staff (in cooperation with the Human Resources Department).
3. Computer Literacy: Ability to use email programs, navigate the internet, locate resources, use Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to navigate and use MCC specific databases for the purpose of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and recording.
4. Adaptability: Ability to adapt as needed to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations and with diverse individuals and groups.
5. Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making.
6. Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop, implement, evaluate and adjust plans to reach goals, ensuring the optimal use of resources.
7. Initiative: Ability to be proactive and persistent in efforts, identifying opportunities and needs then taking action for resolution.
8. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals, taking actions that respect the needs and contributions of others.
9. Communication: Ability to listen, to model open communication and foster good will among others.
10. Self-awareness: Ability to understand one’s own emotional framework, maintain a non-defensive posture and manage personal reactivity when leadership is challenged.
11. Cross cultural/multi-cultural awareness: Ability to work with issues of equity in a cross-cultural setting.
12. Financial Management: Ability to successfully manage MCC resources within a country program.
13. Program, Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to understand and implement Program, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results based management.
14. Previous experience in making well-informed, effective and timely decisions, taking into consideration impact and implications within local and regional context.
15. Demonstrated ability to serve as MCC Representative without bias or conflict of interest, with ability to withstand intense pressure from local constituents.

Minimum Education Level: BA/BSc or equivalent in international development, agriculture, rural sociology, business
administration or other related field
Minimum Experience: Five years international experience with MCC or closely-related organization

Skills:
1. Organizational Awareness: An understanding of the structure and organizational culture of large non-profit organizations, such as MCC, and ability to work successfully within the structure to achieve results.
2. Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand and process complex information and exercise sound judgment,
considering the situation, the issues and the key players. Is able to propose course(s) of action that further
the objectives, priorities and vision of the program and/or MCC.
3. Team Leadership: Assumes a leadership role in helping others achieve excellent results.
4. Development of Others: Ability to foster worker development by providing a supportive learning
environment.
5. Conflict Resolution: Ability to bring conflict and dissent between others into the open to arrive at
constructive solution while maintaining positive relationships with all parties.
6. Partnering: Ability to seek and build alliances that further MCC objectives and benefit all people.
7. Writing Skills: Can communicate ideas and information in writing to ensure that information and messages are understood and have the desired impact.
8. Risk Taking: Ability to identify, assess and manage risk while striving to attain objectives.
9. Creativity and Innovation: Ability to generate new approaches and viable solutions.
1. MCC Vision and Mission - Be the carrier/communicator of institutional identity in relationship to: i. Local partners, church, government, other international NGOs ii. MCC workers: Nurture understanding of and respect for MCC values and witness; reflect upon and communicate the spirituality of the team 2. Oversight of Country Program - Direct and oversee implementation of regional priorities and country-specific strategies i. Select, build, maintain and strengthen relationships with partners ii. Prepare and administer long-term country strategies iii. Plan, monitor, report and evaluate projects iv. Facilitate, coordinate and respond to disasters, including those that generate unexpected additional resources and require shifts in focus of time/energy and requiring development of immediate and/or short term plans v. Understand and ensure compliance with local laws vi. Coordinate and strengthen local advisory committees 3. Management of MCC Resources a. Prepare, monitor and evaluate annual goals and objectives in the context of a multi-year strategic plan b. Prepare and monitor budgets in accordance with strategic and annual plans and in alignment with Financial Management Policies c. Develop and monitor financial record-keeping and reporting, taking corrective action where needed d. Develop and maintain lists of inventories of equipment, including computers, vehicles, etc. along with replacement plans e. Maintain and update registration documents in respective countries f. Ensure resource stewardship across the country g. Prepare and monitor project reporting h. Receive and respond to worker reports i. Ensure maintenance of personnel records and other documents for MCC Records and Archives j. Manage Material Resources distribution as needed k. Provide information about the country situation.... through PlanWin, Annual Plans and Reports, Learning Tours, and written communication. 4. Select, supervise, and motivate MCC workers: International Service Workers and National staff a. Negotiate suitable service assignments and write assignment descriptions b. Select highly qualified service workers and national staff using predetermined criteria based on job content and organizational values c. Provide orientation for new workers, including language study d. Create an environment where all individuals are comfortable openly addressing concerns/opinions e. Ensure spiritual, emotional and professional support for workers f. Monitor relationships between workers and partners with whom they work g. Implement MCC Human Resource policies and assist in policy interpretation for workers h. Conduct timely performance appraisals and End-of-Term reports for service workers i. Ensure workers’ compliance with MCC values and witness j. Develop and/or monitor compensation, benefits and policies for national staff 5. Teambuilding: build and maintain MCC personnel team a. Clarify team expectations regularly b. Monitor team relationships c. Lead team in decision making d. Demonstrates skill in resolving difficult situations, drawing on a variety of resources 6. Hospitality: arrange for hospitality as needed a. MCC program and support staff, as well as MCC constituents from North America b. Others who are travelling in the country and who are interested in the work of MCC 7. Represent the Country to MCC and Constituents a. Cultivate and maintain awareness of the political, economic, social, cultural, and historical contexts of the country/region b. Provide information about the situation, needs and resources of the country/region to the Associate /Area Directors and others within MCC and to MCC constituency 8. Relate to the local church a. Maintain good relationships with local Anabaptist churches by: minimally visiting churches and church leaders, attending their annual meetings, and including their representatives on advisory committees b. Regular attendance at a local congregation
1.00
Allowance
 
MCC covers all basic needs (Travel expenses to and from assignment, food & household, housing, and transportation related to assignment). Personal Allowance vacation allowance Education for children Retirement Plan Life Insurance and Death Benefits Student Loan reimbursement Resettlement Allowance Leadership Resettlement Allowance End-of-term benefits
Jan 01, 2021
Yes
4 Year
Dhaka
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a stimulating socio-cultural context in which to live. It is a land of contrasts - lush green rice fields and high population density, predominantly rural yet having one of the world’s fastest growing mega cities, poverty and generous hospitality, hot humid weather and cooling rains. Like many cities in developing counties, Dhaka exhibits the stark contrast of extreme poverty and extreme wealth sitting side-by side. Dhaka is now one of the world’s mega-cities, with over 15 million population and growing.

This position is based in Dhaka, but requires travel throughout the country to allow the MCC Bangladesh (MCCB) Representative to stay in touch with program at the field level, to attend meetings and to support expatriate and national staff. MCCB has offices in Mymensingh and Bogra. Travel is by MCC van, public bus, train, and occasionally by airplane. All MCC workers are encouraged to use public transportation when possible. Field locations are approximately four to six hours from Dhaka by bus, depending on traffic.

Like many mega cites, Dhaka suffers from severe traffic congestion. Outside of Dhaka traffic on highways can be chaotic, with vehicles of all sizes and speeds massing together on roads and buses racing each other.

Dhaka has an expatriate population of people working for many other organizations and so there are a number of good restaurants, primarily Chinese, Indian, and Thai available as well as recreational facilities at various national clubs.

There are medical facilities in Dhaka and advanced medical services are available in Thailand when needed. Western-style schooling from a British-based curriculum is available for children of all ages, although it provides a more limited curriculum choice for high school students. The schooling is based where many expatriates work and live Dhaka. Other international schools (including American-based curriculum) exist, but these are prohibitively expensive. Child-care is also readily available from local support staff.

Bengali language skills are important for communication with national staff as MCCB employs about 35 Bangladeshi staff, although most senior staff are fluent in English and meetings are held in English. Speaking at least some Bengali is also necessary for effective interaction with the local culture. The local culture is mostly Islamic with a mix of Hindu mysticism.

While there are no Anabaptist churches in Bangladesh, a variety of churches in Dhaka have regular English and Bengali services.

Located in the tropical zone, Bangladesh has warm weather with heavy rainfall during the monsoon season of June to September. Temperatures can range from 35C/100F during the months of July/August to 10C/50F during January. July is usually the wettest month of the year with high humidity.

The MCC Representative needs to be able to function well in an environment of great uncertainty. Political uncertainty is often a factor complicating travel timing and program operation. The current government has quelled political unrest, but in the recent past there has been attacks carried out against religious minorities, bloggers, publishers, foreigners and security forces throughout the country, which create an uncertain climate. In addition, Bangladesh experiences frequent natural disasters including cyclones, floods and tornadoes which we must be prepared to deal with in our programming.

While adjustment to the culture, general living and program administration can be challenging at times, MCC workers have found a rich and rewarding experience in their relationships with the host country and their work. MCC expatriates are able to form meaningful relationships with MCC national staff, some who have worked with MCC for more than 20 years. These relationships, along with the critical work MCC Bangladesh carries out to alleviate the extreme poverty of this country, help create a meaningful MCC experience which brings hope to all involved.
Assignment Narrative:

This position is responsible for overseeing the entire MCCB program. The MCCB program currently includes 1 expatriate volunteer, 35 Bangladeshi employees and an annual budget of over $700,000. The current program includes work in agriculture, education, market development, community peace work, and smaller efforts in institutional support and disaster relief.

Supervision: The MCCB Representative is supervised by the MCC Area Directors for Central Southern and Northeast Asia programs, based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This supervisory relationship is a long distance relationship with an attempt to have at least two face-to-face meetings a year. Communication is primarily conducted through electronic means (email and video calls). The successful candidate will take initiative in local decision making while keeping the Area Director appraised of critical issues and the progress of the strategic plan. The MCCB Representative is required to attend all MCC Asia Leadership Team meetings (usually two times per year) which are chaired by the MCC Asia Area Directors.

MCCB Senior Leadership Team: The MCCB Senior Leadership Team is comprised of the MCC Representative, and 5 to 6 senior staff. The MCCB Senior Leadership Team exists as a critical tool for the MCCB Representative to guide the country program through its strategic direction. The MCCB Representative makes decisions in consultation with the Senior Leadership Team.
The MCC Representative chairs the Senior Leadership Team.

Accountability: The MCC Representative must establish a sense of accountability throughout the program for the manner in which work is done and ensure that MCC's values are evident in the work, lives and interactions of all personnel. This position requires someone who can delegate and allow each program sector the flexibility to work in the manner deemed most appropriate and yet hold members of the Bangladesh Senior Leadership Team accountable for the results they generate. S/he must be able to interact equally well with expatriates and Bangladeshi staff.

 
Extreme Heat; High levels of pollution; Occasional overnights; Occasional long days; Complex-needs population; Location requires digital communication; Local church not supportive to LGTBQ+ persons; Local area not supportive to LGTBQ+ persons