Regional Director, Asia

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is looking for an inspiring and charismatic Regional Director for Asia to work for a

Full-time position based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Context

The position is currently based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At the moment TdH NL is reviewing its strategy and evaluating in which countries in Asia we should be present and how we should operate. Part of the review is identifying the ideal location for the Regional Director and whether the support team should be centralised as a Regional Team in a central regional location (pending confirmation), or decentralised over the various operating locations of TdH NL in Asia. This means that the ideal candidate should be flexible and prepared for eventual relocation.

Background

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) is an international NGO committed to stopping child exploitation. In Asia, Terre des Hommes Netherlands works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and the Philippines. In our prevention work we aim to design and implement program models working closely with communities and governments, targeting highly vulnerable children who are at risk of being exploited. Where necessary we support child victims of exploitation with education, psychosocial support, legal assistance, job opportunities and medical care;. We launch public and media campaigns to create awareness on our focus issues and carry out local research into the extent and nature of abuse and exploitation of children.

TdH NL in Asia works within four child protection themes: Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL), Child Trafficking and Unsafe Migration (CTM), and Child Abuse/Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. Through collaboration with local civil society organisations (CSOs), TdH NL implements protection, development, humanitarian/relief and advocacy interventions in various concentration areas of Asia supported by institutional as well as own TdH NL funding.

Responsibilities

The Regional Director is responsible for co-formulating and realising the programme, operational, policy, financial and employee objectives for the Asia Region as a derivative of the organisational strategy and policies in the medium and long-term. The RD ensures that the organisation provides up-to-date services attuned to market developments and requirements and, as a member of the Program Leadership Team, is responsible for the implementation and realisation of the strategic policy objectives of the organisation in the Asia Region. The principal role of the RD is to lead the development and implementation of TdH NL’s programme in the region. The TdH NL current five-year strategy calls for scaling up the Asia programme and expanding into new areas including accessing diversified funding including building our humanitarian response capacity.

Position in the organisation

The Regional Director (RD) reports directly to the Director of Programs, based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The RD provides direct line management and support to the regional team and country teams across several designated policy areas and organisation units; currently there are 5 direct reports within the regional team as well as 4 country managers. Together with the Director of Programs, the Regional Director for East Africa and the Leads of Teams within the Program Department, the RD forms the Program Leadership Team of Terre des Hommes Netherlands.

What are you going to do?

1. Developing and realising organisational policy

• Identifies societal and political trends and developments relevant to the organisation, its regions and departments and translates them to strategic opportunities for and threats to the organisation.
• Translates these opportunities into program intervention models that can be tested and implemented in the region and supports the development of evidence of the effectiveness for these models, leading to eventually successful scaling.
• Responsible for the development of the strategic (multi) annual policy of the organisation in Asia. Proposes its prepared plans, aimed at improving the quality and the performance of the organisation and its objectives.
• Transforms the determined strategic policy into objectives and specific (policy) documents, including a budget for one or multiple policy areas or organisation units. Instructs and delegates to employees involved when necessary.
• Is responsible for the policy implementation of one or multiple policy areas or organisational entities, monitors its execution and tweaks when necessary.
• The RD will lead efforts to scale up the use of Child Protection models, with adaptation to context, and contribute to the continuing refinement ofthe model based on experience and evidence from Asia.
• Responsible for organising quarterly project progress reviews in close coordination with Country managers. Determines action and follow up.
• The RD is expected to be a teamplayer, strongly contributing to the policy and strategic development of the global TdH NL organisations and acting beyond the interest of the Asia region alone.

Result: Organisational policy is developed and realised so that clear and specific objectives (within the area of responsibility) are formulated and achieved.

2. Managing employees

• Takes care of the right quantitative and qualitative staffing of positions within the organisation, aimed at realising the objectives set forth.
• Manages employees by supervising the quantity and the quality of their execution of duties and instructs, coaches, motivates and provides guidance to employees when necessary.
• Is responsible for the execution of the agreed HR policy, which includes, but is not limited to, performance reviews and assessments with employees.
• Identifies and discusses opportunities for employee development prospects, and provides guidance for the execution of these prospects.
• Identifies problems and risks in the internal environment and potential issues for the working process. Ensures that problems are solved and unnecessary risks are avoided.
• Acts as point of contact for questions and problems originating from employees.

Result: Employees are guided and instructed so that they are motivated to execute their tasks efficiently and effectively.

3. Coordinating internal management processes

• Monitors and improves the coherence of various activities and processes in the organisation, aimed at increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of its services/objectives.
• Is responsible for continuously improving the quality of one, multiple or all policy areas or organisation units.
• Gives advice on solicited and unsolicited issues within the personal domain of responsibility.
• Monitors the execution of and contribution to various forms of discussion and cooperation.
• Supports, encourages and contributes to interdepartmental linkages and interdependencies

Result: Internal management processes are coordinated so that duties and activities are efficiently aligned and quality is guaranteed.

4. Resource mobilisation and maintaining networks

• Ensures strong engagement in resource mobilisation, including positioning and support to grant acquisition efforts to raise additional resources and diversify TdH NL’s portfolio in Asia.
• Recognises fundraising opportunities for TdH NL, takes initiative to anticipate them and develops proposals in conjunction with the Country, Regional and Head Office teams.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of groups (government, CSOs, private sector), creating support for the strategic position of the organisation in Asia.
• Represents TdH NL in Asia, engages and builds strategic alliances with government, major donors, the private sector, other INGOs and the media.
• Represents TdH NL by participating in networks related to its mission and vision, and shares and learns. Encourages and supports cross-learning across the organisation.
• Communicate the work, progress,challenges and outcomes of the country and regional programs to TdH NL staff, LT and the general public.

Result: Network is maintained so that cooperation is improved and all parties and individuals involved are correctly and fully informed. The organisation has at its disposal the desired financial resources in accordance with the objectives.

What do you bring?

• Academic (university) education at masters level in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 10 year professional work experience that combines senior level managerial and technical leadership in development cooperation or executive management. Professional experience with an INGO, NGO, or governmental organisation, in the related field of child protection and Child safeguarding is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural and management skills and track record at regional level.
• Strong people management skills: proven capacity to lead, motivate and develop a multi-functional team.
• Strong track record in leading strategic development and managing change at a regional level.
• Proven efficient management of financial resources.
• Strong ability to direct and foster strategic partnerships and position for grants.
• Excellent grant acquisition experience (demonstrated fundraising skills), including experience with a diverse set of donors.
• Excellent influencing, negotiation and communication skills.
• Excellent presentation, writing and oral communication skills in English.
• Networker and relationship builder. Exhibits composure and professionalism. Is able to represent TdH NL to donors, government officials, other NGOs, other external stakeholders in a self assured manner.
• Knowledge of the Dutch/European/Asian development and funding environment.
• Entrepreneurial, result driven and able to cooperate.
• Knowledge of the Asia region and TdH NL countries of operation is required.

What do we offer

We offer a challenging and responsible position in a changing environment. TdH NL is a result driven, professional organisation staffed by individuals dedicated and determined to prevent and fight child exploitation. We offer a salary in accordance with the function and what is common in the charitable sector. Initial contract period will be for one year with a possibility of extension.