Country Representative

Turquoise Mountain

Background
Turquoise Mountain supports artisan communities to protect and revitalise their heritage. Our work is rooted in the belief that cultural heritage has the power to transform lives. Founded in 2006 by His Majesty King Charles III, we work directly with artisan communities in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Palestine. To date, we have supported over 11,500 artisans across 86 craft traditions, restored more than 170 historic buildings, and provided primary healthcare and education for artisans families.
Turquoise Mountain has been working in the Levant since 2017. Since then, we have supported almost 3000 artisans from Syria, Jordan and Palestine across 40 different craft traditions including, woodworking, glass-blowing, embroidery, jewellery-making and mother-of-pearl inlay. We run a showroom in Amman that sells and showcases world-class products from artisans across the region. Turquoise Mountain also provides high quality vocational training to artisans, alongside connecting artisans to new markets.
We are looking for a person with proven management experience from a strong commercial background within the creative industries. This reflects Turquoise Mountain s core mission to support artisans by connecting them with international markets. We need a person who can immediately command the respect of the existing team based on their proven track record and experience within creative industries / commercial sectors, as well as colleagues across our other country offices where seamless collaboration is essential. The person needs to be a decisive leader, but also with the humility to truly listen to their team, our partners, artisans and the experienced colleagues in our central team and beyond. The successful candidate will have the support of a warm, friendly, experienced and patient global team, not to mention an incredible team in country, and colleagues from our other country offices.
If you are commercially minded, creative and inspired by this role, please do apply as we would love to meet you.
Job Description
Job Title: Country Representative
Department: Jordan
Team: Senior Management Team
Reports to (Line Manager): CEO
Job Purpose Summary: Manage the existing programmes and staff of Turquoise Mountain Trust in Jordan. Lead on fundraising and strategic planning for all aspects of TM s activities in Jordan.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Core Responsibilities
Leadership, Collaboration & Line Management
Communicate a clear vision of present and future programme goals and strategies to team members. Incorporate their feedback, and the best of their skills into the programme.
Manage, recruit and motivate a skilled, efficient team; incorporate staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team-building process.
Programme Design and Management
Implement the strategy of Turquoise Mountain Trust, as directed by the CEO and Trustees to support artisans in Jordan across Turquoise Mountain s key areas of work: Livelihood, Heritage, Skills & Practice, Wellbeing, and Connection.
Please note that a fundamental way in which the organisation supports artisans is through the sale of craft products to international markets, and that many of the activities, accordingly, are commercial in nature. Responsibilities in this regard include (but are not limited to):
• Define the commercial strategy in collaboration with the Global Commercial Director. Implement this strategy through commercial operations working with the local and global Sales, Design and Production teams.
• Alongside the local team and in collaboration with Global Creative Director and team, establish and lead the creative direction for design and product development in-country, across diverse product areas and in line with organisational target markets.
• Work with global teams to identify and deliver high-profile commercial projects and exhibitions, that achieve sales and showcase excellence in craftsmanship and delivery, and harness global connection for artisans.
• Work within the wider organisation s marketing framework and brand to ensure the marketing strategy is delivered. This will involve the local Sales, Design and Production team, Marketing team and colleagues globally.
• Set sales, marketing and market targets in line with the overall strategy, devolve these within the team and track performance against these metrics, adjusting the approach overall where needed in collaboration with local and international colleagues.
• Establish a vision for new programming that leverages Turquoise Mountain s value proposition and networks in Jordan to optimise support to artisan communities.
Operations and Financial Management
• Ensure program implementation is on time, on target and on-budget. This includes commercial targets.
• Manage and develop the programme infrastructure and systems including financial management, operations, client and donor relations, ensuring effective and transparent use of resources, and timely reporting systems, in compliance with Turquoise Mountain and donor policies/procedures.
• Ensure that all donor reporting requirements are met and that a proactive approach to communication is adopted with all key stakeholders to the Jordan operation.
• Oversee strategic budgeting and budget management of all internal programmes, and sub- grantees/sub-contractors as applicable. Oversee strategic business planning, market development and sales target setting and monitoring.
• Maintain and develop systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work according to best practices, Turquoise Mountain operating standards and field realities.
Coordination, Representation and External Relations
• Represent Turquoise Mountain in Jordan with all relevant stakeholders. This includes, but is not limited to, commercial partners, the Jordanian Government, the project staff and beneficiary groups, implementing partners and the wider creative and heritage sector in Jordan, the International Donor Community, and National and International Media.