NATIONAL DIRECTOR

Mission of the position:

The National Director leads, manages and develops the National Association (NA) as its chief executive, ensuring effective delivery of programmes and services to children and young people, families and communities within the frame of the international SOS Children’s Villages organisation’s vision, mission, values and strategy. Through seeking governmental subsidies and funding, international/national grants as well as through fundraising he/she maximises the financial self sufficiency of the National Association (and the ability to financially support other National Associations) according to the potential in the country.

General aim of the position:

• Lead the strategic planning processes to ensure sustainability and relevance of NA’s work
• Ensure the operational effectiveness of all programmes and guarantee child-care quality according to the organisation’s defined standards
• Ensure the implementation of child safeguarding principles in the NA
• Ensure the effective and sustainable management of the NA’s financial and other resources
• Build the human capacity of the National Association to ensure long-term growth and stability
• Ensure strong local rooting by promoting the association’s local integration and by building recognition at all levels in the country. Strengthen the affiliation to the international Federation by participation in and contributing to international processes
• Promote and manage an appropriate image of the organisation both internally and externally, using SOS Children’s Villages values and standards as the basis for shaping the brand
• Ensure the implementation of agreed SOS Children’s Villages International standards.

Main clients:

• Board of Directors (or Trustees)
• National Management Team
• International Director
• CVI Representative
• Regional Office Function Directors
• External stakeholders.

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Facilitates the strategic planning process under the direction of the board (or guided by the board), involving the national management team and other key staff in identifying priority areas and setting objectives
• Communicates and monitors plans to ensure efficient implementation.

Governance Structure and Development

• Presents plans, reports and proposals at board meetings. Ensures in joint cooperation with the chairperson legality of the national organisation, complying with relevant national Legislation. Ensures that board decisions are translated into clear actions.

Brand Development

• Applies the internationally agreed brand development concept in national strategy, planning and implementation.

HR Management and Organisation Development

• Ensures that the right people are employed for the right positions so that co-workers and external partners are always treated with the desired professionalism and according to the principles of the organisational culture
• Ensures an efficient performance management and human resource development system that guarantees the development of co-workers and the identification of talents. He/she promotes accountability at all levels of the National Association
• Leads and manages the National Management Team, builds an effective National Office team, providing guidance and support as necessary.

Programme Development, Management and Monitoring

• Ensures that resources are focused on building strong programmes and services. Ensures review and evaluation of programmes to ascertain that agreed plans and policies are implemented and provides capacity building and technical support as needed
• Promotes interaction and exchange of relevant experiences between programmes.

Finance and Funds Management

• Ensures a thorough planning and budgeting process adhering to the Federation quality standards and timelines, in particular ensuring cross-departmental collaboration to provide a well grounded budget following the annual results plan and based on actual need and cost consciousness
• Maintain financial overview through a regular reviews of key figures, financial reports, liquidity status provided by the Finance Department and fostering close collaboration between the departments and locations for financial cost control
• Ensure the delivery of relevant financial reporting to the board
• Ensures the conduct of annual financial audits in full alignment with the Federation standard.

Compliance and Integrity

• Implements and monitors the internal control system throughout the organisation
• Ensure that all co-workers are familiar with the latest Federation standards and policies in terms of integrity and compliance, in particular but not limited to the Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Guideline, Code of Conduct, Good Management and Accountability Quality Standard.
• Applies a zero tolerance to fraud, ensure reporting of any incident and works closely with the Regional Office in terms of prevention, detection, reporting and learning, based on the Federation standard
• To lead investigation upon needed.

Fund Development and Public Relations

• Promotes long-term stability and financial self-sufficiency by pursuing support from government and private sources with the aim to maximise the fundraising potential
• Supports the development and implementation of sustainable fundraising strategies and grant applications. Supports public relations/marketing activities as necessary and ensures that an appropriate image of the organisation is portrayed.

Partnership building, Advocacy and Cooperation with external stakeholders

• Establishes sound relationships with relevant government authorities, ensures appropriate representation of the organisation’s views and seeks government recognition and support for SOS Children’s Villages work
• Ensures a clear understanding of the NA role of children, young people, families, Community
• Builds partnerships with non-governmental organisations who work for the rights of children without parental care or at risk of losing parental care.

Child Safeguarding (CS)

• Responsible within own area of work to raise awareness of the SOS Child Protection Policy principles and to prevent and protect children from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination
• Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the IOR CS focal person and/or to the respective line manager

Must criteria:

• University degree in business administration, education, social science discipline or similar
• Minimum 8-9 years leadership experience at a senior management/executive level in a larger or complex organisation
• Prior experience in one or more of the following functional areas: fundraising, marketing, human resources, finance/budgeting, social services provision, community development, education
• Experienced in strategy development, change management, driving innovation
• English language fluency in addition to the national language
• Understanding and usage of ICT and virtual collaboration in daily business
• Readiness to travel nationally and internationally as required.

Competencies – knowledge, skills, abilities

• Strategic orientation and entrepreneurial attitude: able to think globally, high-level analytical and conceptual abilities; able to identify opportunities for growth and develop organisational strategies
• Integrity: able to state views openly and act in line with beliefs, maintain the organisation’s values, ability to gain the trust and respect of stakeholders. Resilient personality
• Cooperation: Working experiencein an international or complex organisation to be able to understand and live cooperation within a federation
• Collaboration: driven to work with others, able to build partnerships and networks
• Leadership: able to understand what drives and motivates others, able to build and lead high performing teams committed to organisational goals
• People development: driven to grow him/herself and to develop others; identifying and supporting development opportunities of co-workers; track-record in coaching, delegation skills, conflict resolution
• Communication: high-level written and verbal communication and presentation skills; strong in negotiations and influencing others
• Intercultural, gender and diversity sensitivity: able to bridge different national or organisational cultures and to work effectively in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment
• Child Safeguarding sensitivity: able to report, process and investigate upon need any Child Safeguarding suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures