Chief Program Officer

You can help every child grow up with the love and support of a family.

SOS Children’s Villages, founded in 1949 by Hermann Gmeiner, is the world’s largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it.

Child neglect, abuse and abandonment are everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. Locally led, we work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child’s or young person’s best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs.

Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people, and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child’s rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.

We are currently offering a great opportunity for a driven Chief Program Officer to help realise our mission and drive the operational implementation strategy of one of the largest NGOs globally. As a member of the Executive Board of the General Secretariat, the Chief Program Officer leads the implementation of decisions taken by the General Assembly and the International Senate. Reporting to the President, the Chief Program Officer is responsible for implementing our vision, mission, values, global strategy, policies and standards throughout the regions and in line with the SOS Care Promise and the Federations’ global strategy 2030. The Chief Program Officer will be responsible for ensuring that safeguarding principles and child rights-based approaches are respected and will serve as a role model for value-based conduct in the organisation.

As an inspirational leader, you will directly supervise the International Directors for the Regions (i.e. Asia, WCNA – West, North and Central Africa, ESAF – Eastern and Southern Africa, EUCM – Central Eastern Europe/CIS and Middle East, and LAAM – Latin America and the Caribbean), and monitor the implementation of plans, agreements and KPIs in the regions, ensuring compliance with federation policies and standards. In doing so, you will actively promote positive collaboration amongst the key stakeholders.

We are interested in candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. As a senior leader, you are experienced overseeing work in multiple geographic locations or in the international development context. Through your inspiring and encouraging leadership style, you are able to motivate individuals and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders. You have deep knowledge of or experience in program management cycles, preferably in program focused on childcare, youth, families, education, community development and/or a related sector. With an ability to foster innovations and define clear strategic objectives, you can formulate and manage budgets as well as allocate resources appropriately and systematically evaluate results. Most importantly, you are deeply committed to the vision, mission, and values of SOS Children’s Villages International.