DEPUTY DIRECTOR (PROGRAMMES) – Vacant from 01st August 2024

The SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is the Regional Centre for Art and Culture established by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with the mandate to promote regional unity through cultural integration and inter-cultural dialogue and contribute towards preservation, conservation and protection of South Asia’s cultural heritage within the framework of the SAARC Agenda for Culture.

The following vacancy at the SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo, is open for the citizens of SAARC Member States.

Age:                                              Below 55 years

Duty Station:                           Colombo, Sri Lanka

Tenure of the post:                      3 (Three) Years

Educational Qualifications

  • Masters or higher degree from a recognized University, preferably in the field of Cultural Studies / Social Sciences / Humanity / Anthropology / Aesthetic Studies or a relevant discipline;
  • Preference will be given to PhD in above disciplines;

Work Experience

  • Minimum of 15 years experience in planning and implementation of cultural programmes at management level;
  • Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in conceptualizing and developing programmes in the field of culture or relevant disciplines in a capacity of professional staff or equivalent level at any intergovernmental or international organizations;

Competencies /Skills

  • Excellent organizational and coordination skills to manage programmes independently in a professional manner;
  • Designing and conducting participative training workshops, seminars, etc., at international standards.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and editing skills;
  • Outstanding capacity to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and draft documents in a clear and concise manner;
  • Good IT skills, including computer applications;

Brief job description:

  • Assisting the Director in planning and implementation of all programmes of the SAARC Cultural Centre;
  • Creating and writing concept papers, developing programmes, preparing schedules and monitoring progress;
  • Responsible for preparation of reports and periodical reviews of the programmes and activities;
  • Assisting the Director in preparation of publications;
  • Supervising other staff in relation to organizing and conducting programmes;
  • Establishing and maintaining positive work relationship with other stakeholders to achieve the goals of the Centre;
  • Execute any special assignments given by the Director as & when necessary.

Allowances and Benefits

  • Living Allowances – US$ 1437 per month
  • Residential Accommodation
  • Education Allowances for children
  • Medical Allowances 

The Member States would bear the following costs in respect of the Professional Staff of the SAARC Regional Centres;

  1. The Member States shall continue to pay the salaries of the Professional staff of the SAARC Regional Centres;
  2. Member States shall bear all costs associated with the passage of the Professional Staff and of their accompanying entitled family members;
  3. Transportation of personal effects including packing, handling and insurance charges in accordance with their respective rules and regulations.

The Professional Staff of the SAARC Regional Centres, shall be entitled to the following allowances;

1. Living Allowance

US $ 1,437.00 (US Dollars One Thousand four Hundred and Thirty-Seven) only.

The Living Allowance payable to the two categories of Professional staff of the regional Centres. 50% of the Living Allowance to the Professional staff shall be paid in US Dollars and the remaining 50% shall be paid in local currency.

Sri Lankan professional Staff will be paid in LKR as per the new financial rules of Sri Lanka.

2. Daily Allowance in lieu of Rent Allowance

The Director shall ensure accommodation for the Professional Staff before his/her arrival. An accompanying spouse and up to two of the dependent children below the age of 21 years will get 50% of daily Allowance. The Regional centre shall try to find and finalize lease suitable accommodation within this period.

The professional staff recruited from the Host Member State shall not be entitled to the Dailly Allowance.

3. Residential Accommodation

Unfurnished accommodation within rental ceiling of US$ 682/= (US Dollars six Hundred and eighty-two only) in equivalent local currency of Sri Lankan Rupees per month will be directly paid to the lessor.

4. Furnishing/Settlement Grant

One-time Lump sum of US $ 2,000/- (US Dollars Two Thousand only)

5. Children’s Education Allowance

Professional Staff shall be entitled to the reimbursement of 90% of school Tuition Fees including Admission, Registration and other compulsory charges subject to an annual ceiling of US $ 1500/= per child for a maximum of two children between the age of 4 to Grade XII/A Level.

6. Medical Facilities

Reimbursement of actual expenses on medical treatment for self, spouse and dependent children subject to an annual ceiling of US $ 1,500/- (US Dollars One Thousand Five Hundred only) including 80% reimbursement of hospitalization charges. (Note; no reimbursement shall be made for medicines purchased without doctor’s prescriptions, optical frames/ glasses/ lenses/ dental treatments and beautification/ cosmetics and health care products and health foods)

7. Home Leave Passage

The Regional Centre will provide a return air ticket (Economy Class) for self, spouse and two dependent children residing with their parents, once in their-tenure after completing 18 months of continuous service.

  • All allowances to be paid in local currency as per the official buying rate of exchange prevailing on the first day of every month;

Application procedure

  • Applicants who possess the above requisite qualifications should forward their applications together with copies of educational/professional qualifications, details of work experience and names and addresses of 2 non-related referees.
  • Candidates from the Universities/Government Departments/Corporations and Statutory Boards should apply through the Heads of their respective institutions.
  • Application should be sent to the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, Nepal through the SAARC Divisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Ministry of External Affairs of the respective Member States of the applicant to reach the Director, SAARC Cultural Centre, 224, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka, on or before 19th April 2024

For further details please visit www.saarcculture.org

ANY CANVASSING WILL BE DEFINITE DISQUALIFICATION. THE DECISION OF THE SELECTION PANEL WILL BE FINAL.

Director
SAARC Cultural Centre
224, Bauddhaloka Mawatha,
Colombo 07
Sri Lanka