Regional Director SARO

About IPPF

IPPF is a network of nongovernmental organizations working for sexual and reproductive rights. It is more than 70 years old and is present in 150 countries 25 of them in the East and South East Asia and the Oceania Region. The membership is built by one per country. The federation has undergone a governance reform and has implemented a new strategy in 2023 where the interest is that the member organizations are at the center and that they are the ones who, from their knowledge of the context, nurture the federation. IPPF members receive core grants, benefit from exchanging lessons learnt, are accredited and important topics such as diversity and social entrepreneurship n are addressed. They are global leaders in sexual and reproductive rights and health, youth and gender issues.

The Role

Responsible for leadership and management of the Region, promoting IPPF and SRHR to advance IPPF’s Strategic Framework. As a member of the Director’s Leadership Team, jointly be responsible for the strategic leadership of the global secretariat.

Responsibilities

The Regional Director SARO will provide effective support to the Director-General (DG) in London and to South Asia Regional Council and Member Associations, and provide leadership, management and development to around 20 employees of the South Asia Regional Office. The Regional Director, as part of IPPF’s global Divisional Leadership Team (DLT), will report to the Director-General (DG) in London and have responsibility for the strategic leadership of the IPPF Secretariat.

Priorities include:

• Leading implementation of IPPF’s new Strategic Framework within the region.
• Managing and overseeing strategic operational delivery of the work of the South Asia Regional Office, ensuring Member associations have access to technical support and assistance for programme development and implementation.
• Engaging effectively with the volunteer bodies of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) and Regional Council (RC), consulting and communicating with them and implementing their decisions within the Region.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with governmental and non-governmental agencies to facilitate and promote the work of the Federation.
• Identifying and acting on resource mobilisation needs.
• Providing support to Member Associations and the Regional volunteer bodies to ensure that IPPF policies are interpreted and applied appropriately in the Region and that the views of Member Associations and the Regional volunteer bodies are shared with the Senior Management Team.

Candidate profile

Proven ability

For this key role, IPPF is seeking a Senior International Health or Development Executive, with significant experience and interest in SRHR, Human Rights, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and related fields. That must include significant experience of complex operational leadership and people management of large teams, and experience of reporting to a board. The successful candidate will have a track record of effectively working with donors in the international development sector, and proven experience of networking to build partnerships and donor relations. They must have extensive knowledge of developing countries, particularly within South Asia, and strong knowledge of the international political environment, particularly in that Region. Familiarity with IPPF and/or its Member Associations is desirable, as is experience of working with senior volunteers.

Strategic leadership and results orientation

• Vision and drive, along with demonstrable experience of developing and implementing strategy across a complex and diverse organisational structure and set of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills.
• A healthy appetite for taking calculated risks in pursuit of strategic aims.

Operational management and leadership

• Part of the Divisional Leadership Team (DLT) within an international organisation, including the ability to engage meaningfully at the wider organisational level and share best practice.
• Strong people management skills.
• Proven financial management experience.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills to deliver complex projects on time, to budget and to a high standard.
• An entrepreneurial approach and the ability to bring creativity and innovation to inspire colleagues and external stakeholders alike.

External representation and advocacy

• Sophisticated understanding of ever-changing political and socio-economic dynamics across South Asia, as well as knowledge of the international context.
• Strong political acumen and the ability to act as international spokesperson and effectively manage the political process of the deliberative bodies.
• Ability to advocate for and represent the work of the organisation in the region with all relevant bodies and other relevant organisations, often against strong opposition in the lobbying environment.
• Experience of networking with relevant partners and of building donor relations, including those in the international development and private sectors.

Interpersonal acumen and personal competence

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with gravitas and diplomacy.
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong presentation skills.
• A true team-player with an aspirational and empowering approach to leading teams.
• The highest regard for integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality and a flexible personal style.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the multi-cultural and diverse environment in which IPPF operates.
• An understanding of and a commitment to safeguarding, including child protection, in a local and international context.
• Supportive of a woman’s right to choose and to have access to safe abortion services.

Other skills and criteria

• Comfortable with social media and the use of new technology.
• Post-graduate degree in applied social sciences, health or management or equivalent standard of education.
• Fluent in English, both verbal and written. French, Spanish and/or Arabic is desirable.
• Comfortable to travel extensively.

Agree to sign and adhere to IPPF’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding (Children and Vulnerable Adults) Policy. IPPF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers, contractors and partners to share this commitment.

Please refer to the IPPF Strategy to get a clearer idea of the role https://www.ippf.org/resource/come-together-ippf-strategy-2028