World Vision Jobs: Senior Director Operations, East Africa Region

Closing date: 08 Nov 2009

Location: Kenya - Nairobi

Reporting to the Regional Vice President this role leads the operational performance of the region in alignment with the World Vision Partnership's Global and Regional strategic direction. The SDO is the operational lead for the region employees.

Leadership:

• Provide line management supervision for direct reports of 4 senior leaders of Functional or Ministry Areas, 5 Shared Services Leads, Head of Project Management, Head of Quality Assurance, and Executive Support.
• With the RVP, assist with leadership of the Regional Leadership Team. Coordinates agenda for such meetings.
• Chair Regional Operations Team meetings (i.e. This working group comprises SDO's direct reports and also includes, Strategy Finance and P&C,)
• Provide operational coordination of all shared services available from the Global Centre to support the region: Supply Chain Management (SCM), Information Technology (IT), International Staffing Solutions (ISS), Audit and Governance.
• Assure liaison and integration of strategy with all programmatic and business areas.
• Work closely with Finance and P&C
• Provide RVP with performance data against all Kips for region.
• Serve as the first line coordination with partnership entities regarding regional operations. e.g. Global Centre, Support Offices (International Programmes Groups), other regions.
• Develop and nurture accountability and a performance management culture in the Regional Operations Team with the support of P&C.
• Guide organizational change and improvement at a strategic operational level within the Region.
• Oversee Office Management Unit
• Develop relationships with external agencies core to our operations.

Business Functions:

• Humanitarian Emergency Affairs (HEA):
• Provide operational oversight to all CATEGORY II and III Emergency Relief responses in the region in coordination / consultation with global HEA and Regional Communications
• Coordinate regional linkages with HEA centre of expertise and leverage capacity and learning's for regional disaster mitigation, emergency response and capacity building

Communications:

• Supervise the internal and external communications function in Africa in consultation with Global Communications, so that it facilitates the role of the region. This includes:
• Ensure National Offices receive adequate communications support.
• Ensure communications support for the ministry pillars in the region working with the different directors on key messaging.
• Ensure a consistent avenue for leadership communication with the Region
• Promote and maintain open communications within the multiple leadership levels in the Region.

Security:

• Ensure the implementation of security protocols in the regional office and assist national offices to integrate sound security practices into their operations so as to enhance the safety and security of World Vision staff, assets and programmes and minimise operational risks to World Vision.
• Coordinate the management of security incidents with Global Security.
• Ensure that all key stakeholders in the Region understand the importance and urgency of timely response and meeting Partnership standards in all security incidences.

Office Management Unit:

• Ensure the provision of effective and efficient delivery of a broad array of support services (in the areas of Finance, HR, Administration, IT and other related ancillary services) to serve the Regional Office and hosted GC entities.
• Ensure the development of strategies to ensure that appropriate cost reduction and cost control programmes are developed and adhered to.
• Provides leadership and guidance in the formulation of operational policies and standards for the office management unit and mechanisms for monitoring compliance with and consistency in the interpretation and implementation of such policies and procedures.
• Shared Service Functions (SCM, IT, Audit, Governance)

For all Global Centre shared services:

• Coordinate and manage a process of prioritization of services required aligned with regional strategic intent and available budget
• Negotiate Service Level Agreements (SLA's) on behalf of the region with each Global Centre function aligned with strategic priority and budget
• Monitor and evaluate implementation of SLA's on behalf of the region
• Escalate performance failures to RVP and functional GC VP for resolution.

Project Management Unit:

• Direct the consolidation of project management and quality assurance activities at the RO for both Functions and Programmatic Areas (including the allocation of specialist resources) to create efficiencies of scale and improve quality of program delivery.
• Direct and delegate that provision of support to nine (9) NOs in the development of proposals and raising funds (design),
• Manage the strategic allocation of resources across the region.
• Manage internal global and regional projects
• Oversee the establishment and development of nine (9) NO Learning Centres and ensure integration and development of field capacity across the region.

Quality Assurance Unit:

• Direct the monitoring and evaluation of programmes across the region.
• Oversee the capacity building and training activities across the region.
• Ensure the integration of quality assurance practices in all programmatic and functional areas across the region.
• Collection, analysis and interpretation of performance data for organizational and programmatic effectiveness.

Other:

• Travel as necessary for the purpose of fulfilling the above objectives.
• Be available for other assignments as deemed necessary by the RVP.
• Carry out additional responsibilities and projects as assigned.
• Participate in devotions, chapel and other regional staff meetings.

The following may be acquired through a combination of formal or self-education, prior experience or on-the-job training:

Skills/Competencies/Attributes:

• Professional Maturity. Professional maturity to provide counsel and expertise as well as actionable feedback. The ability to identify the highest leverage changes required and the self-confidence to work with senior executives, challenging their perspective as appropriate, to achieve buy in for key changes and/or initiatives. Demonstrates an appropriate sense of urgency while remaining calm and in control under pressure. Strong team leader versus authoritative leader.
• Must be a committed Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.
• Participate and lead in daily devotions and weekly Chapel services.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

• Educational level required: Masters Degree in a relevant field.
• Experience: 10 years of experience in providing operational leadership in more than one function or country.
• A deep and broad understanding of business operations within World Vision or a similar organization.
• Significant multi cultural leadership and management experience.
• Proven ability to support an organization through change and growth.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as negotiation and administrative abilities.
• Proficiency in the English language.

Working Environment / Conditions:

• Work environment: Office-based with frequent travel to the field
• Travel: Ability to travel regionally and internationally up to 12 weeks per year.

How to apply

For more information and/or to apply, please visit one of the following websites:

https://jobs.wvi.org/webjobs.nsf/WebPublished/5BCA1D64DFE3471F882576510037C922?OpenDocument

OR

http://www.wvi.org

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