Job Description

Job Title:Team Leader – Sri Lanka Support Unit Phase 2 (SLSU 2)

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Role Overview:

The Team Leader will provide overall leadership, strategic guidance, and management to the Sri Lanka Support Unit Phase 2 (SLSU 2). The position is responsible for coordinating program implementation, ensuring alignment with donor objectives, managing technical experts and project staff, and engaging with government counterparts, civil society, and development partners.

The Team Leader will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality outputs, ensuring accountability, and fostering an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable development.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Management

• Lead the design, planning, and delivery of the SLSU 2 program.
• Provide strategic oversight of project activities to ensure relevance, efficiency, and impact.
• Supervise and mentor the project team, including technical experts, support staff, and consultants.
• Manage work plans, budgets, and performance monitoring frameworks.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Serve as the main liaison between the donor, government counterparts, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate dialogue and coordination with ministries, agencies, and civil society organizations.
• Represent the project in high-level meetings, forums, and events.

Monitoring, Reporting & Knowledge Management

• Ensure timely preparation and submission of project reports, deliverables, and updates.
• Monitor project progress against KPIs, identifying risks and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Promote knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and dissemination of best practices.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, contractual obligations, and ethical standards.
• Oversee financial management, procurement, and administrative processes.
• Uphold principles of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in all project operations.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Advanced degree in International Development, Public Policy, Economics, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 10+ years of relevant experience in project leadership, program management, or development cooperation (experience in Sri Lanka or South Asia strongly preferred).
• Proven track record of leading multi-stakeholder programs funded by international donors (e.g., EU, UN, World Bank, ADB, bilateral agencies).
• Strong experience in capacity development, policy dialogue, and institutional strengthening.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing multidisciplinary teams and complex projects.
• Excellent understanding of Sri Lanka’s political, social, and economic context.
• Strong financial management, monitoring & evaluation, and reporting skills.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is a strong asset.