TITLE:                                                                     Country Director

DIVISION/DEPARTMENT:                                   Global Operations

LOCATION:                                                             Sri Lanka

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:                                Regional Director Asia

SUMMARY

The Country Director is responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of ChildFund operations in the assigned Country office (CO), including Strategy development and implementation, Resource Mobilization, External Engagement, Country Management, Advocacy and Communications, Partnership Portfolio Management, Program Delivery, Monitoring & Evaluation, Research and Knowledge Management, Administration and support, Enterprise Risk Management, Disaster Risk Management & Response and ensuring Safety and Security of staff and agency assets.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• LEADERSHIP - Exhibits demonstrable and inspiring leadership in promoting the ChildFund values, vision and mission. Provides strategic oversight and ensures excellence for a healthy growing operational portfolio with program quality, satisfied and engaged staff, program strategies with monitoring and learning systems, a portfolio of strong Local Partners, ambitious resource mobilization, and grant acquisition with appropriate pre- and post-award management.

• HUMAN RESOURCE AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT- Oversees the recruitment and orientation of staff, on-going talent management and guidance ensuring a high degree of staff engagement. Mentors staff to achieve performance metrics and core outcomes and oversees the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective senior management/leadership team.

• PROGRAM MANAGEMENT- Provides leadership in the management of functions associated with the implementation of ChildFund program models and delivery mechanisms. 

• Ensures the overall enterprise risks of the country operations are addressed, revised and managed proficiently. Drives and ensures the adaption, integration, and learning around key areas including child safeguard standards, monitoring and evaluation, disaster risks reduction, gender equity and diversity, and that an appropriate, timely and effective disaster emergency response and preparedness plan is in place and updated regularly.

• FINANCE MANAGEMENT- Ensures optimal financial, human and physical resource allocation and management and maintains quality standards for successful implementation of the country’s and organization’s strategic plan. Ensures that adequate internal controls are in place to protect CO financial and non-monetary assets and that they are used in accordance with donor terms and conditions.

• RESOURCE MOBILIZATION - leads the strategic positioning of the country office to increase income and revenue through innovative resource mobilization efforts focusing on institutional grants, corporate and individual donors – both locally and internationally. Explores and follows-up on business development opportunities by enhancing appropriate relationships with the donor community, government and corporate leaders in the country. Ensures effective implementation and close-out of grants.

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• VISIBILITY AND PROFILE- Ensures the organization is recognized by stakeholders (relevant government authorities, donors, other NGOs, media etc.) as a strong child development organization and credible reference point on issues related to development, and specifically to be a leader and a recognized voice in advocating for children’s rights in the country.

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• KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: Develops and/or ensures that teams develop learning and knowledge products which meet standards and enable organization-wide learning and sharing by documenting approaches, project and program designs and lessons, case studies and other knowledge products. Seeks and leverages existing knowledge products in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness and ensure teams in the country do as well.

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• SAFETY & SECURITY: ENABLES THE SAFE CONDUCT OF CHILDFUND OPERATIONS. CREATING A CULTURE OF PRIORITIZING THE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDFUND TEAM MEMBERS, PREMISES, AND ASSETS OF THE COUNTRY OFFICE. CONTINUOUSLY MONITORS SAFETY AND SECURITY RISKS IN THE COUNTRY, IDENTIFIES AND EXECUTES RISK MITIGATION ACTIONS AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH REGIONAL DIRECTOR TO ASSURE AN IMMEDIATE AND ADEQUATE RESPONSE TO SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES.

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• CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Ensures organizational culture and work environment in which staff fully understand and apply child safeguarding standards and in which children are protected against violence, abuse and neglect. Ensures adequate reporting, investigation, decision-making and implementation of appropriate actions in case of violations in child safeguarding standards by staff or partner organizations. Remains alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquires relevant knowledge and skills which will promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conducts him/herself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• 10 years and above experience in a similar senior management position in the development sector, preferably outside of the country of origin;
• Good understanding of child rights and major child development issues;
• Strong leadership skills in areas such as: fostering teamwork; developing and motivating others; managing change; conflict resolution; initiative and flexibility.
• Strong entrepreneurship and business development abilities
• Experienced in community development, child focused programming, working with sponsorship is an additional asset.
• Proven track record of strong management skills with complex programs.
• Experience in the acquisition, implementation and administration of institutional grants from major international donors.
• Experience in managing during emergency situations and implement disaster response programs;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills in English, knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an asset.
• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including the ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, social and political issues.
• Coalition building capabilities, external networking and experience in developing strategic partnerships;
• Ability to building alliances in order to attract local and international resources and from corporations, foundations and individual donors. Ability to pragmatically solve problems, plan a course of action using analytical, conceptual, strategic and forward-thinking abilities.
• Ability to demonstrate support for innovation and organizational changes needed to improve the organization’s effectiveness; helping others to successfully manage organizational change.
• Proactive and adaptive to recognize, react and adjust to rapidly changing conditions;

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in international development, human rights or any related field of community development/social science or another relevant discipline.

ChildFund International is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Required Skills Required Experience

Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years' experience required.

Excellent interpersonal skills; high degree of professionalism and the ability to interact with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and confidentiality with many individuals at all levels. Facility with careful phrasing of appropriate responses. Excellent written and oral communication essential. Focus on accuracy, details and thoroughness. Strong critical thinking skills, analytical, and multitasking abilities are essential, for frequent decision making in routine as well as individual circumstances. Willingness to seek information and request clarification. Proactive, positive, sensible, caring, respectful and responsible attitude, demonstrating commitment to the goals, values and success of Boston University, the School of Dental Medicine and to the success of the Admissions program. Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, in order to resolve a variety of challenges in a timely manner required. Ability to comprehend strategies, goals and procedural guidelines and to use these to analyze unique circumstances, and apply critical thinking skills and good judgment to identify and implement solutions in daily operations and interactions. Ability to provide information and guidance and resolve problems within the purview of the position, and understanding when to refer situations to appropriate staff or supervisor.

Must have the ability to be flexible and adapt to changes in the work environment, including delays and unexpected events, while maintaining composure. Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines and manage competing demands. Excellent time management and organizational skills necessary to maintain smooth operation of the office. The position involves periods of working at a desk, using telephones, computers and office equipment, as well as periods of moderate physical activity for responsibilities such as setting up and cleaning up meals, organizing supplies in upper and lower cabinets, and operating the photocopier/printer/scanner.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.