National Director/Liberia

SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization for the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organization, we support children without parental care and families in difficult living conditions through services in care, education, health and emergency relief, and we advocate for the rights of children and young people, in alliance with a great diversity of partners. We work in 136 countries and territories, reaching over one million children, young people, families and caregivers each year.

SOS Children's Villages has been operating in Liberia since 1981 and has as core programs: Innovate alternative childcare, strengthen families and advocacy & partnership for quality care. The office is administratively dependent on the West, Central and North Africa Region (WCNA) International Office branch based in Lomé (Togo).

To support us with this important responsibility we are now looking for a committed:

National Director

(F/M)

Location: Monrovia, Liberia

Mission:

Under the direct supervision of the SOS Children's Villages International Representative, the Country Director (M/F) leads the activities of the organization as the executive authority. He/she develops the program and ensures that quality services are provided to children, youth, families and communities in accordance with the vision, mission and values of the organization. The National Director (M/F) seeks the financial autonomy of the organization through fundraising and the development of institutional partnerships. He/she will ensure the implementation of, and compliance with, the human resources manual and internal regulations; financial management, including the establishment of an internal control system; and budget development and monitoring.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic and Annual Planning:

• Coordinate the preparation and conduct of the planning workshop
• Ensure that revisions to the annual plan are made quarterly and that annual reports are developed and annual statistics collected

2. Human Resources and Organizational Development:

• Ensure that all human resource management decisions are consistent with local laws
• Ensure that the standards of the Human Resources Manual and the internal regulations are implemented
• Build an effective National Management team by providing guidance and support to its members in a diverse manner
• Supervise the National Headquarters and Children's Village Managers
• Establish an effective performance management system including human resource development
• Contribute to the local anchoring of the National Association

3. Financial management:

• Establish a system of budget preparation and monitoring, and internal control
• Ensure the preparation of financial reports and the implementation of recommendations from financial supervision and external audit

4. Program Development:

• Ensure the implementation of the organization's child care policies and the existence of a program monitoring and evaluation mechanism
• Organize useful exchanges of experience between programs
• Implement advocacy projects in the country through partnerships with like-minded NGOs, and maintain relationships with the media for advocacy work

5. International Sponsorship:

• Establish a system for monitoring the implementation of the international sponsorship manual

6. Government Relations:

• Establish good relations with public authorities and prepare for the signing of agreements with the government in synergy with the International Office Region
• Sensitize the government on the role of the organization for the benefit of children, and seek recognition and support for the work for children

7. Communication, Public Relations and Fundraising:

• Coordinate the development and implementation of a strategic and operational communications, public relations and public and private fundraising plan to achieve financial self-sufficiency for the National Association

8. Brand Development:

• Ensure the implementation of international brand recommendations

9. Information and Communication Technology (ICT):

• Ensure the implementation of international and regional ICT standards and recommendations
• Ensure proper use and protection of electronic assets (infrastructure, software and data)

10. Construction:

• Collaborate with the WCNA International Office in the preparation of construction and renovation projects
• Participate in the reception of infrastructures and ensure their equipment.

11. Child Safeguarding and PHEAS (prevention of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse):

• Participate in child protection and PHEAS (prevention of harassment, exploitation and sexual abuse) trainings, including online trainings developed by SOS Children's Villages, and implement the training outcomes
• Ensure that SOS Children's Villages activities in Liberia are conducted in accordance with the SOS Children's Villages child protection and PHEAS (prevention of harassment, exploitation and sexual abuse) standards

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Master's degree in management, business administration, project management, or economics.
• At least 8 years of experience as a senior manager in a large organization, preferably an international NGO.
• Experience in one or more of the following operational areas: management, human resources management, finance, marketing, social services, education management, community development.
• At least five (5) years experience in a similar position in an international organization is a strong asset.
• Fluency in
• Good knowledge of MS Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.).
• Solid experience or training in child protection.
• Willingness to travel within and outside the country.

Skills

• Innovation, creativity, flexibility and initiative.
• Proactivity and ability to adapt to change
• Strong planning, organizational, problem solving and decision making skills.
• Communication and negotiation skills.
• Time management skills.
• Conflict and emergency management skills.
• Ability to advice and coach.
• Proven ability to set clear strategic direction, motivate employees and create opportunities for their development.
• Experience managing humanitarian and post-conflict programs in areas affected by conflict and insecurity
• Strong knowledge of security protocols and ability to work appropriately in an insecure environment
• Strong management skills, with a good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Knowledge of the Liberia working environment is a plus
• Honesty and ethics.

We offer

• Diverse, creative and challenging opportunities in an international working environment

• Possibility to make significant, positive contribution

• Competitive compensation package and excellent development opportunities

• In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks

What We Stand For: **

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organization, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for our staff, the children and young people and the communities that we work for. The organization prohibits harassment, exploitation and abuses by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, child, young people, community, contractor, applicant, or other individual with whom SOS Children’s Villages employees come into contact by virtue of their work. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our prevention and protection against Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse policy.

In addition, SOS Children’s Villages apply a zero tolerance concerning any fraud situation. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

If you are interested by this position, please send your application with your Resume, your Cover Letter including 3 professional referees, the copy for your diplomas and your criminal records by December 11th, 2022 at the latest.

Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.