Deputy Team Leader, Building State Effectiveness and Accountability (BSEA) Program

Regular•San Francisco, CA

37d

About The Position

The Deputy Team Leader will provide senior operational, technical, and delivery leadership for the six-year Building State Effectiveness and Accountability (BSEA) Program, implemented by The Asia Foundation (TAF) in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Working within BSEA’s adaptive, politically informed design, the Deputy Team Leader will play a central role in translating locally led reform priorities into coherent, high-quality program delivery and in sustaining the systems and partnerships that enable issue-based programming and durable “pockets of effectiveness” within the Bangladeshi state. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Deputy Team Leader will support overall program performance, donor liaison, and contractual compliance, with responsibility for day-to-day management, operational integrity, and delivery quality. The role requires a senior practitioner with proven experience managing complex governance programs and exercising sound operational judgment in politically dynamic environments. Reporting to the Team Leader and working closely with FCDO counterparts, the Deputy Team Leader will coordinate a multidisciplinary team and network of downstream partners to ensure flexible, evidence-informed initiatives are implemented effectively, on time, and in full compliance with program requirements.

Requirements

Minimum bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, public policy, law, international development, or related field.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in governance-focused or comparable development programs, with responsibilities spanning program delivery, operations, finance, monitoring and evaluation, and partner management.
Proven experience supporting donor-funded programs, including strong capabilities in operational management, compliance, coordination, and reporting.
Deep understanding of Bangladesh’s governance and public administration context.
Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
Prior experience as a Deputy Team Leader or in an equivalent senior program management role on donor-funded programs.
Familiarity with adaptive management, political economy analysis, and gender equality and social inclusion approaches in governance programming.

Responsibilities

Program Delivery and Operational Leadership Provide day-to-day leadership of program implementation, ensuring activities are coherent, well-sequenced, and aligned with BSEA’s theory of change, adaptive operating model, and agreed priorities.
Translate strategic direction into operational plans, budgets, and delivery arrangements that enable effective issue-based programming.
Ensure smooth functioning of core program systems, including finance, procurement, administration, safeguarding, compliance, and human resources.
Donor Engagement and Compliance Maintain regular working-level engagement with FCDO counterparts, with a particular focus on contractual, financial, and compliance-related matters.
Support the timely preparation and submission of high-quality financial reports, program deliverables, and other contractual outputs.
Ensure full compliance with FCDO and TAF fiduciary, procurement, safeguarding, audit, and reporting requirements.
Partnerships, Teams, and Coordination Manage day-to-day relationships with domestic and international downstream partners, ensuring partners are engaged appropriately and perform to agreed standards.
Coordinate closely with TAF Bangladesh country program staff and relevant regional and headquarters units to ensure integrated, compliant implementation.
Supervise and support senior program staff, including the Finance and Grants Manager, MERL Manager, and Communications Manager, fostering strong performance, collaboration, and staff well-being.
Learning, Evidence, and Communications Oversee day-to-day monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes, including liaison with the independent MEAL provider engaged by FCDO.
Support the implementation of a rigorous research, learning, and knowledge agenda, including the production of high-quality analyses and communication products
Ensure program communications and evidence products are timely, credible, and aligned with BSEA’s objectives and adaptive learning priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement Maintain productive working relationships with government officials, civil society organisations, private-sector actors, academic institutions, and other stakeholders engaged in BSEA-supported reform efforts.
Support the Team Leader in sustaining reform coalitions and facilitating collaboration across government and non-state actors.