Role
As a member of the Middle East & Eastern Europe Senior Leadership team, you will have shared accountability for Save the Children’s international development and emergency programming in the region of approximately $60 million each year through an organisation of nearly 600 people. To achieve our ambitious goals and breakthroughs for children, the leadership team will, in collaboration with Save the Children Members and in conjunction with the other regional organisations, aim to drive growth to $2 billion by 2015.
The Country Director will lead the transformation of the country to a new operating model, whilst also delivering Save the Children’s strategy within the country through:
- Delivering quality programmes, including advocacy, for children; and
- Serving Members and their donors
Key Areas of Accountability:
- As a member of the Regional Senior Leadership Team, contribute to strategic development and delivery of international programming, in both humanitarian and development contexts, in line with the Save the Children mandate, strategy and theory of change
- Deliver transformational change in-country, including:
. developing and delivering improved outcomes for children through delivery of the Save the Children global programme strategy and global initiatives and growth targets as set for the country
. defining and implementing the new operating model for the country, in consultation with the Regional Director and Transition Team
. engaging Save the Children staff, partners and other stakeholders to create real shared ownership and collaboration
. creating an environment of continuous learning, where staff are encouraged and supported to grow and develop and are willing to be held accountable for their commitments
. ensuring that the focus of the organisation remains on the rights and needs of children
- Be accountable, and develop the capacity of, mentor and hold staff accountable for:
. developing strong country strategy and operational plans that identify and address significant issues facing children, and are in line with Save the Children’s overall strategy (with a focus on Global Initiatives) and theory of change
. preparing for and implementing rapid and effective responses to major emergencies affecting children, including building relationships with key humanitarian and development decision-makers and partners in-country
. delivering programmes and advocacy in line with the country strategy, operational plans, budgets and Member requirements that result in significant impact for children
. collaborating with colleagues in the region to deliver any regional programmes and advocacy, in line with regional strategies, operational plans, budgets and Save the Children member requirements that result in significant impact for children
. developing and maintaining good relations with Members and their donors
. growing the country programme to become the leading NGO addressing children’s issues in the country
. developing and maintaining efficient and effective operating systems, and ensure compliance with all Save the Children Minimum Operating Standards, with a particular focus on safety & security management
. developing and coaching staff to optimise their potential in pursuit of Save the Children’s objectives
. contributing to global knowledge and learning in Save the Children
- Be accountable, and develop the capacity of, mentor and hold Senior Management Team accountable for:
. role modelling and leading the way on the new values and ways of working
. developing strong country strategy and operational plans that identify and address significant issues facing children, and are in line with Save the Children’s overall strategy (with a focus on Global Initiatives) and theory of change
. preparing for and implementing rapid and effective responses to emergencies in-country affecting children
. collaborating with colleagues in the region to deliver any regional programmes and advocacy, in line with regional strategies, operational plans, budgets and Save the Children member requirements that result in significant impact for children
. building relationships with key decision makers and partners
. developing and coaching staff to optimise their potential in pursuit of Save the Children’s objectives
. contributing to global knowledge and learning in Save the Children
Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
- Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results together with children and role modelling Save the Children values
- Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
- Creates a managerial environment in-country to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding
Ambition:
- Sets ambitious and challenging goals for self and team, takes responsibility for own personal development and encourages team to do the same
- Widely shares personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale
Collaboration:
- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with own team, colleagues, members, donors and partners
- Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
- Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
- Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency
- Always acts in the best interests of children
Qualifications and Experience
- At least three years experience in the country with first-hand knowledge of the country context and key government and civil society stakeholders highly preferred
- Experience of building, leading and developing a team of senior staff with different backgrounds and expertise
- Experience of managing a crisis situation requiring quick changes to priorities and rapid action to respond
- Experience of leading change in an organisation which has led to considerable results for the organisation and its stakeholders
- Experience of building personal networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organisation
- Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
- Fluency in local language preferred
- Good understanding of programme, financial and operational management processes
- Good understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development
- Commitment to the Save the Children values
SCIrecruitment@savethechildren.org
