National Director SOS Children’s Villages Zambia

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – NATIONAL DIRECTOR – LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Position Title:  National Director

Reporting to: Board Chairperson                                                                                 

Duty Station: Lusaka, Zambia

Region:  East and Southern Africa (ESAF)

Context of the Organization

SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS CVI) is non-governmental and non-denominational organization working with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children are fulfilled in every society. SOS CVI is a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or who stand at risk of losing the care. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development. Everything we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide.

Envisioning that every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security, we exist to build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities. Everything we do is guided by the firm belief that no child should grow up alone and that we need to improve care for children who are at risk, enabling them to overcome precarious conditions and to succeed in life. To achieve our mission, our strategy for the upcoming decade focuses on ensuring the best care of children, innovation, and effective collaboration with more partners. Our core values guiding who we are and what we do include courage to take action, commitment to keep our promises, trust to believe in each other, and accountability to be reliable Partners.

Purpose of the Job

The National Director leads and develops the national association as its chief executive, ensuring effective delivery of programmes and services to children, families and communities within the frame of the organization’s Vision, Mission & Values. The Position has overall management responsibility for the Association, as well as ensuring full accountability to the board, donors, government and partners.

Job Accountabilities:

National Association Development:

The National Director ensures that resources are focused on building strong facilities and programmes. He/she reviews and evaluates the programmes and facilitates steps to ensure that agreed plans and policies are implemented, and provides capacity building and technical support as necessary.

• Advises on and leads the development of national association development plans and strategies, and ensures regional office support where needed.
• Supported by the RO Advisory team members where necessary, advises and supports the establishment of effective national management systems & structures, governance systems, HRD systems, staffing patterns, budgets, plans, legal / statutory arrangements, etc.
• Coaches and supports the Village / Programme directors, managing the VD’s performance, and ensuring ongoing development.
• As the NA’s senior most employee, coaches and advises other key staff regarding the implementation of Board’s decisions/resolutions, coordinating the introduction of new policy and strategy development process.
• Supports the development of Project’s Advisory committees at different locations level;
• Provides technical assistance as and when needed, with the support of the National Management Staff in liaison with RO (advisory/coordination) staff, and offers special support in times of crisis to all the programmes.

Strategy & Policy Implementation:

The National Director facilitates the strategic planning process under the direction of the board, involving core facility and programme directors and other key staff in identifying priority areas and setting plans and objectives. He/she communicates and monitors plans to ensure their implementation.

• Leads and coordinates the implementation of the national strategic plans, cascaded from the global strategic plans; oversees the setting of appropriate implementation structures and establishment of monitoring & reporting systems.
• Facilitates Projects/Programmes participation in national strategic planning and advises and participates in the development of villages/programmes operational plans ensuring alignment with National Strategic Plans.
• Maintains a strategic overview of internal & external trends, indicators, and key results.
• Communicates SOS-KDI policy at the national & programmes level, advises on the implementation of new policies, and oversees the implementation of monitoring and controlling systems to ensure standards are met.

Advocacy and recognition:

The National Director forms partnerships with NGOs who work for the rights of children without parental care or at risk of losing their parental care. He/she pursues advocacy objectives with NGO Child rights forums and in partnership with other NGOs. He/she establishes sound relationships with relevant government authorities and seeks government recognition and support for SOS Children’s Villages work.

Coordinates cross-national advocacy efforts on children’s issues of national relevance.
Promotes recognition of the SOS Children’s Villages child -care model at all levels.
Represents the national association towards both provincial and national governments, forums, as well as other key partners / stakeholders in the child-care field.

Develops fundraising, public relations programmes and strengthens the brand:

The National Director oversees the development and implementation of well-structured fundraising plans and strategies:

• Ensures that fundraising business plans are well developed, implemented, and adequately supported.
• Seeks opportunities to build national-level partnerships with other NGOs, donor agencies, Government, UN agencies, etc.
• Promotes brand awareness and ensures protection of the brand and logo

National Coordination Office leadership

Oversees the establishment of effective NCO systems, structures, staffing patterns etc, to ensure that programmes and projects are adequately supported in meeting their operational goals.
Ensures the professional recruitment, orientation, performance management and on-going development of NCO management staff.
Overall management and supervision of NCO heads of functions, including guiding their work objectives, monitoring performance, on-going coaching, etc.
Oversees the National Coordination Office planning & budgeting processes.
Oversees the sound management of all resources, and full compliance with international reporting & auditing requirements.

National Association Governance structures:

The National Director presents plans, reports and proposals at board meetings and/or Board sub-committees and ensures that board decisions/resolutions are translated into clear actions. He/she supports the development of the board and association members through initiating orientation and other activities as directed by the chairperson

International Federation – GSC coordination

Ensures a smooth flow of communication between NAs and the GSC, including adherence to reporting requirements; maintains effective communication structures and channels to facilitate this.
In liaison with the relevant NCO function, ensures NA’s compliance with
reporting on developments as per the NA’s Strategic & Annual Plans,
programmes development reporting, and
financial reporting, budgeting and accounting requirements,
Oversees an efficient flow of funds to the programmes and projects.
Coordinates feedback as and when required from relevant co-workers within the National Association during international policy and guidelines development.
Accommodates research programmes on common and/or crucial topics, as well as piloting some programmes/projects of importance to the international organization.

Monitoring & auditing

Oversees the implementation of effective monitoring systems, ensuring that regular monitoring & auditing to ensure compliance with agreed standards is conducted.
Follows up on reports relating to the development and/or veering off from the expected route by any programme / project within the National Association
Oversees the establishment of corrective measures / improvement plans where standards are not met.

General

Participate in Regional Meetings and other Forums as determined by the RO. Support regional / international initiatives to promote exchange and sharing of experiences, information, and resources where necessary.
Ensure that a high standard of management, maintenance and child-care is maintained in all projects.
The National Director should set an example in his modesty and dedication to the organization’s principles and objectives. The National Director must adhere to all personnel and financial policies and procedures as defined for all staff members. Special privileges or benefits cannot be accommodated.
Maintain a direct interest in a small number of SOS children from each village/location following their development.
Continuously develop skills and abilities appropriate for the position
The Employee agrees to perform other activities, even in case of emergency situations / crises according to the actual need, as requested by and agreed with the Chairman of the Board and/or Regional Director.

Qualifications: 

Full Grade 12 School Certificate
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, business, management, or a related field.

Experience:

At least 10 years’ experience in developmental work at senior management and leadership positions.

Other competencies and requirements:

1. Good understanding of policies and strategies relating to child development, programmes, education and advocacy.
2.  Understanding of child rights, child development, family and community development, advocacy, rights-based programming.
3. Solid understanding and knowledge of childcare legislation and policies
4. Intercultural, gender and diversity sensitivity: able to bridge different national or organizational cultures and to work effectively in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment respecting diversity
5. Experience in developing, nurturing and implementing social development programmes and fund raising through establishment of long-term partnerships with stakeholders.
6. Strong influential and executive leadership style, be an articulate and confident manager able to spur confidence in the organization, working closely with the Board of directors.
7. Notable success working with and building high performance and successful teams in a multi-cultural setting.
8. Excellent networking ability, persuasive communication, marketing and fundraising skills.
9. A successful record of accomplishment working with and building high-performance teams in a multi-cultural setting.
10. Strong managerial and implementation skills.
11. Strong strategic awareness, integrating environmental developments, future orientation and a pragmatic view into operational planning and day-to-day work.
12. Proactive decision-making based on sound analysis and excellent communication skills.
13. Fluency in English is required (Fluency in one or more local languages is preferred).