Program Manager: Resource Development Foundation (RDF) – Child Sponsorship & Safeguarding Initiative
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:29 am
PREPARING TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF PROGRAM MANAGER – RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (RDF)
1. RESEARCH THE ORGANISATION AND THE PROGRAM
• Visit the RDF website (www.rdfbd.org) and read about its mission, values, current projects and the specific Sponsorship Funded Programme in Barguna.
• Familiarise yourself with the four thematic areas of the programme – Inclusive & Quality Education, Youth Economic Empowerment, Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights, and Child & Youth Leadership.
• Understand the geographic context: Bargany Sadar Upazilla, coastal‑climate‑vulnerable environment, local government structures, NGOs and CBOs active in the area.
• Note the key objective of the programme – ensuring that sponsored children, especially girls and young women, are heard, live without fear of violence and achieve their rights.
2. MATCH YOUR PROFILE TO THE REQUIREMENTS
• EDUCATION – Confirm that you hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or a related discipline.
• PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – Document at least ten years of experience with national or international NGOs, with specific emphasis on child protection/safeguarding and, if possible, on child sponsorship programmes.
• TECHNICAL EXPERTISE – Highlight any work you have done in education, SRHR, youth economic empowerment or youth leadership, especially in coastal or climate‑risk zones.
• MANAGEMENT SKILLS – Provide examples of planning, monitoring, evaluation, staff supervision, coordination with government bodies and multi‑stakeholder collaboration.
• SAFEGUARDING KNOWLEDGE – Demonstrate concrete experience in developing and implementing safeguarding policies and ensuring accountability.
• COMMUNICATION – Showcase strong report‑writing abilities in both English and Bengali and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• LOGISTICS – Ensure you have a valid driving licence, are comfortable riding a motorbike and can travel up to 75 % of your time in the field.
3. PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
a) CURRICULUM VITAE
– Use a clear, chronological format. Start with personal details (name, contact number, email, address).
– Include a professional summary (3‑4 lines) that directly references the key duties of the Program Manager role.
– List education, certifications and any specialised training (e.g., child safeguarding, gender‑based violence, climate‑resilience).
– Detail work experience: for each position, give organisation name, dates, location, and bullet points describing responsibilities and achievements that align with the RDF requirements (e.g., “Managed a $2 million child sponsorship portfolio across 5 districts” or “Designed and delivered training modules on SRHR for 200 teachers”).
– Add a separate section for technical skills (Microsoft Office, data management, GIS if applicable) and languages.
– Conclude with two professional references, providing name, title, organisation, phone and email. Ensure the most recent employer is one of the references.
– Keep the CV to 2‑3 pages maximum.
b) COVER LETTER (separate PDF)
– Address it to “Director, HRD and Admin, Resource Development Foundation”.
– State the position you are applying for and where you saw the vacancy.
– In the first paragraph, express your enthusiasm for RDF’s mission and the specific programme objective.
– In the body, map your experience directly to the essential criteria: mention years of NGO experience, child protection expertise, work in sponsorship programmes, coordination with government, and any achievements in coastal/ climate‑vulnerable settings.
– Highlight a couple of concrete results (e.g., “Increased school enrolment of sponsored girls by 15 % in a flood‑prone district”) that demonstrate impact.
– Explain why you are a good cultural fit for Bargany Sadar Upazilla and how you will handle extensive field travel.
– Conclude with a brief statement of availability (ready to join from 1 January 2026) and gratitude for consideration.
– Keep the letter to one page.
c) PHOTOGRAPH
– Include a recent passport‑size colour photograph (white background, clear face view). Save as a separate PDF file.
d) FILE NAMING AND MERGING
– Name each file clearly, for example: “YourName_CV.pdf”, “YourName_CoverLetter.pdf”, “YourName_Photo.pdf”.
– If the email system permits, you may combine the three PDFs into one file named “YourName_RDF_Application.pdf”.
4. SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
• Draft an email to hr@rdfbd.org. Use the exact subject line: “Application for the post of Program Manager”.
• In the body of the email, write a brief note (2‑3 lines) stating that you are attaching your application package and thank them for the opportunity.
• Attach the combined PDF (or individual PDFs if instructed) before the deadline – 10 December 2025.
• Double‑check that all attachments open correctly and that your contact information is up‑to‑date.
5. PRE‑INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Review RDF’s safeguarding policy, child protection guidelines and any publicly available programme reports.
• Prepare STAR‑style stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for:
– Managing a multi‑disciplinary team in a remote area.
– Designing and evaluating a child sponsorship monitoring system.
– Handling a safeguarding incident and ensuring compliance.
– Building partnerships with local government and CBOs.
• Anticipate technical questions on:
– Monitoring & evaluation frameworks for integrated child‑focused programmes.
– Budget management and financial reporting for donor‑funded projects.
– Adapting interventions to climate‑related disruptions (e.g., cyclones, floods).
• Prepare questions to ask the interview panel, such as:
– What are the immediate priorities for the Programme Manager in the first six months?
– How does RDF measure success across its four thematic areas?
– What support mechanisms are in place for staff safety and well‑being in the field?
6. LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS
• Ensure your motorbike licence is valid and your vehicle is road‑worthy; arrange any required insurance.
• Plan for the possibility of long‑term field travel – consider health insurance, vaccinations, and personal safety kits.
• If you are currently residing outside Bargany, identify temporary accommodation options near the programme office.
7. POST‑INTERVIEW FOLLOW‑UP
• Send a thank‑you email within 24 hours of the interview, reaffirming your interest and summarising how your skills match the role.
• Keep copies of all correspondence and note any dates mentioned for decision‑making.
8. FINAL CHECKS BEFORE STARTING
• Once offered the position, review the employment contract carefully, paying attention to salary range, field travel allowance, mobile bill allowance, festival bonus and yearly salary review.
• Clarify any onboarding requirements (e.g., induction training, safeguarding certification, bank details for salary).
• Prepare a short 30‑day work plan outlining how you will familiarise yourself with the team, conduct a needs assessment in Bargany and set initial priorities.
By following these steps methodically, you will present a strong, targeted application that aligns precisely with RDF’s expectations for the Programme Manager role and maximise your chances of being selected for this urgent recruitment. Good luck!
1. RESEARCH THE ORGANISATION AND THE PROGRAM
• Visit the RDF website (www.rdfbd.org) and read about its mission, values, current projects and the specific Sponsorship Funded Programme in Barguna.
• Familiarise yourself with the four thematic areas of the programme – Inclusive & Quality Education, Youth Economic Empowerment, Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights, and Child & Youth Leadership.
• Understand the geographic context: Bargany Sadar Upazilla, coastal‑climate‑vulnerable environment, local government structures, NGOs and CBOs active in the area.
• Note the key objective of the programme – ensuring that sponsored children, especially girls and young women, are heard, live without fear of violence and achieve their rights.
2. MATCH YOUR PROFILE TO THE REQUIREMENTS
• EDUCATION – Confirm that you hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or a related discipline.
• PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – Document at least ten years of experience with national or international NGOs, with specific emphasis on child protection/safeguarding and, if possible, on child sponsorship programmes.
• TECHNICAL EXPERTISE – Highlight any work you have done in education, SRHR, youth economic empowerment or youth leadership, especially in coastal or climate‑risk zones.
• MANAGEMENT SKILLS – Provide examples of planning, monitoring, evaluation, staff supervision, coordination with government bodies and multi‑stakeholder collaboration.
• SAFEGUARDING KNOWLEDGE – Demonstrate concrete experience in developing and implementing safeguarding policies and ensuring accountability.
• COMMUNICATION – Showcase strong report‑writing abilities in both English and Bengali and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• LOGISTICS – Ensure you have a valid driving licence, are comfortable riding a motorbike and can travel up to 75 % of your time in the field.
3. PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
a) CURRICULUM VITAE
– Use a clear, chronological format. Start with personal details (name, contact number, email, address).
– Include a professional summary (3‑4 lines) that directly references the key duties of the Program Manager role.
– List education, certifications and any specialised training (e.g., child safeguarding, gender‑based violence, climate‑resilience).
– Detail work experience: for each position, give organisation name, dates, location, and bullet points describing responsibilities and achievements that align with the RDF requirements (e.g., “Managed a $2 million child sponsorship portfolio across 5 districts” or “Designed and delivered training modules on SRHR for 200 teachers”).
– Add a separate section for technical skills (Microsoft Office, data management, GIS if applicable) and languages.
– Conclude with two professional references, providing name, title, organisation, phone and email. Ensure the most recent employer is one of the references.
– Keep the CV to 2‑3 pages maximum.
b) COVER LETTER (separate PDF)
– Address it to “Director, HRD and Admin, Resource Development Foundation”.
– State the position you are applying for and where you saw the vacancy.
– In the first paragraph, express your enthusiasm for RDF’s mission and the specific programme objective.
– In the body, map your experience directly to the essential criteria: mention years of NGO experience, child protection expertise, work in sponsorship programmes, coordination with government, and any achievements in coastal/ climate‑vulnerable settings.
– Highlight a couple of concrete results (e.g., “Increased school enrolment of sponsored girls by 15 % in a flood‑prone district”) that demonstrate impact.
– Explain why you are a good cultural fit for Bargany Sadar Upazilla and how you will handle extensive field travel.
– Conclude with a brief statement of availability (ready to join from 1 January 2026) and gratitude for consideration.
– Keep the letter to one page.
c) PHOTOGRAPH
– Include a recent passport‑size colour photograph (white background, clear face view). Save as a separate PDF file.
d) FILE NAMING AND MERGING
– Name each file clearly, for example: “YourName_CV.pdf”, “YourName_CoverLetter.pdf”, “YourName_Photo.pdf”.
– If the email system permits, you may combine the three PDFs into one file named “YourName_RDF_Application.pdf”.
4. SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
• Draft an email to hr@rdfbd.org. Use the exact subject line: “Application for the post of Program Manager”.
• In the body of the email, write a brief note (2‑3 lines) stating that you are attaching your application package and thank them for the opportunity.
• Attach the combined PDF (or individual PDFs if instructed) before the deadline – 10 December 2025.
• Double‑check that all attachments open correctly and that your contact information is up‑to‑date.
5. PRE‑INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Review RDF’s safeguarding policy, child protection guidelines and any publicly available programme reports.
• Prepare STAR‑style stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for:
– Managing a multi‑disciplinary team in a remote area.
– Designing and evaluating a child sponsorship monitoring system.
– Handling a safeguarding incident and ensuring compliance.
– Building partnerships with local government and CBOs.
• Anticipate technical questions on:
– Monitoring & evaluation frameworks for integrated child‑focused programmes.
– Budget management and financial reporting for donor‑funded projects.
– Adapting interventions to climate‑related disruptions (e.g., cyclones, floods).
• Prepare questions to ask the interview panel, such as:
– What are the immediate priorities for the Programme Manager in the first six months?
– How does RDF measure success across its four thematic areas?
– What support mechanisms are in place for staff safety and well‑being in the field?
6. LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS
• Ensure your motorbike licence is valid and your vehicle is road‑worthy; arrange any required insurance.
• Plan for the possibility of long‑term field travel – consider health insurance, vaccinations, and personal safety kits.
• If you are currently residing outside Bargany, identify temporary accommodation options near the programme office.
7. POST‑INTERVIEW FOLLOW‑UP
• Send a thank‑you email within 24 hours of the interview, reaffirming your interest and summarising how your skills match the role.
• Keep copies of all correspondence and note any dates mentioned for decision‑making.
8. FINAL CHECKS BEFORE STARTING
• Once offered the position, review the employment contract carefully, paying attention to salary range, field travel allowance, mobile bill allowance, festival bonus and yearly salary review.
• Clarify any onboarding requirements (e.g., induction training, safeguarding certification, bank details for salary).
• Prepare a short 30‑day work plan outlining how you will familiarise yourself with the team, conduct a needs assessment in Bargany and set initial priorities.
By following these steps methodically, you will present a strong, targeted application that aligns precisely with RDF’s expectations for the Programme Manager role and maximise your chances of being selected for this urgent recruitment. Good luck!