Assistant Program Manager

ABOUT YOU
 

• You want to build a socially oriented business. You are self-motivated and accustomed to being a top performer in a high-growth environment. Nothing feels better than achieving your targets. 
• You are a "people person," and are energized by meeting strangers and finding areas of shared interest through which to build connections and rapport. 
• You love to travel to even the most remote areas and districts within Bangladesh and think of sharing public transportation with your colleagues as an adventure.
• You are strategic in your approach to deepening market penetration and nurturing key relationships. You're always on the lookout for new, scalable routes to market for reaching your target customers. 
• You see truth in numbers and keep a close eye on your figures. If they're off target, you'll dive into the data in order to make effective decisions and improve results.
• You enjoy mentoring and coaching your peers so that teams can succeed. 
• You have the experience, maturity, confidence, and communication skills to interact with people in senior positions. You can get others excited about what they are going to do.

 
ABOUT US

• VisionSpring increases lifelong earning, learning, safety, and well-being through eyeglasses for people vulnerable to poverty. We believe in the wonder of clear vision for everybody.
• We sell and deliver radically affordable optical products and services and develop markets for eyeglasses—a 700-year-old technology that has failed to reach 1 billion people in need of vision correction, most of whom live on less than $4 a day.
• We serve low-income consumers, not as beneficiaries but as customers. Our customers expect quality, affordable products and eyecare services, and will spend limited discretionary income for the immediate and tangible benefits of vision correction.
• As a social enterprise, we are purpose first. We blend philanthropic and earned revenue, draw on non-profit and business practices, and use sales and efficiency metrics and social impact measures to bring vision correction to ever more people.
• We catalyze collaborative action in an expansive, multisector partner network and use our evidence and experience to influence systems change and close the global clear vision gap.
• We believe in scaling our impact, not our organization. We are a lean team of doers.
• Our big goal: Everyone who needs eyeglasses will have them by 2050.

Job requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in public health, social science or a related field from a recognized university in Bangladesh.
• At least 6 years of professional experience, with proven involvement in diverse programs or projects across Bangladesh.
• Willingness to travel extensively—up to 70% of the time—across the country for program implementation and field activity oversight.
• Strong ability to provide supportive supervision through coaching and guidance in a collaborative, encouraging manner rather than a disciplinary one.
• Data-driven mindset—regularly monitors monthly targets and leverages data to adjust strategies and improve outcomes.
• Entrepreneurial attitude—open to innovation, experimentation, and exploring new approaches to expand program reach and impact.
• Passion for large-scale initiatives and making a meaningful difference in delivering affordable vision care solutions.
• Comfortable with traveling via public transportation.
• Strong communication skills in both English and Bengali.
• Preferred Experience: 1) Project implementation in NGOs or social enterprises; 2) Prior experience in livelihoods, garments, road safety etc.); 3) Partnership development and management; 4) Facilitating training or capacity-building programs.

Job responsibilities

• Assist the Program Manager in planning, executing, and monitoring program activities. 
• Support the coordination of program resources and ensure they are allocated effectively.
• Prepare regular program status reports for factory management and other stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying potential risks and issues related to program execution. 
• Contribute to the development of risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Play an active role to ensure team harmony and also be a good listener for the team.
• Be fully dedicated to achieving monthly/yearly target plans, including field operations, monitoring and evaluation, training and skill development, communication, and administrative activities, etc. 
• Manage project staffing and deployment to the factories, workstations on daily basis.
• Help identify and address conflicts or disputes within the program team or between stakeholders. Support conflict resolution efforts and maintain a positive team dynamic.
• Assist in communication with internal and external stakeholders, clients, and partners.
• Prepare monthly key indicators report (performance management report) to assure program goals are met.
• Demonstrate leadership abilities and the capability to work independently as well as a team player.
• Display basic awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Be able to undertake extensive travel across all districts in Bangladesh.
• Ensure safeguarding and dignity in all activities.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.