MEER - Senior Director Operations

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 34,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

International Assignment - Fixed Term (Fixed Term)Job Description:

The Senior Director of Operations (SDO) role exists to strengthen the line management role of the Regional Leaders and enable them to focus on strategic, governance and leadership issues. SDOs, with the delegated authority of the regional leaders, provide leadership for functional and operational issues, monitor the national office performance, coordinate regional support to the national offices and oversee the management of the regional office. This leadership is to ensure alignment with the World Vision partnership’s global, regional strategic direction and key priorities, and implementation of Our Promise.

The SDO reports to the Regional Leader and functions as a twin citizen to support the Partnership Principles (accountability, twin citizenship, interdependence and empowerment) and to embed agility and simplicity across the Region.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead in Operational Management (excellence in execution): As the primary responsibility is to lead the operational performance of the region, the SDO will ensure that regional line ministries and support functions work collaboratively across the regional office and with the Global Centre for the primary purpose of providing operational support to the national offices, and fulfilling Our Promise.

Provide performance monitoring of National Offices based on key directions and indicators at the global level and regional level. Facilitate business processes around performance monitoring of national offices including the MEER Maturity Framework, Annual Regional Priorities and related KPIs. Support the Regional Leader to identify linkages between performance monitoring of national offices and performance management of NO senior management team as appropriate.

The SDO will have primary or shared oversight of the following management support functions: Humanitarian Emergency and Affairs (HEA), Finance, Risk and Compliance, People & Culture (P&C), IT, Quality Assurance/DME, Security, Communications and Advocacy, Strategy and Ministry Quality, Resource Development and External Engagement

Operational Plans, investment and Budget: Under direction of the RL and working with the operations management team, field offices and Regional Finance provide operational leadership for translating regional priorities into operational plans and budget for the RO.

Regional Team Management.

As the line manager for regional office staff, establish performance agreements and development plans with each direct report and ensure they are also in place for others within the regional office.

• Mentor, coach and facilitate the career progression and leadership development for members of the regional team, especially identified top talent.
• Ensure appropriate energy and focus is put into supporting the regional team in managing as twin citizens in a matrix environment.
• 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.
• Ensure alignment and integration of Regional annual priorities, KPIs and goals of line ministries and support functions with overall WV Partnership strategy and goals, including VisionFund.

Other responsibilities include:

• Liaison / coordination with partnership entities as needed for planning and problem solving purposes in relation to regional operations. e.g. Global Centre Departments, Support Offices (International Programmes Groups), other regions.
• The SDO plans and coordinates Regional Meetings in consultation with the Regional Leader, bringing together all NDs with Regional Directors to review the performance of the region and of regional functional teams per feedback and assessment by the NOs, determine regional-wide solutions to operational issues and to provide a forum for networking, team building and cross-learning.
• Plans NO field trips and ensures that action plans are monitored and evaluated for impact. Other regional-specific responsibilities and as tasked by the regional leader.
• Active contribution and leadership in spiritual nurture of staff.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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.
• Master’s degree required in international relief and development, behaviour change, engineering or business or any other related field.
• 10 years 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.
• Country/National Director’s experience and working in different contexts/countries will be preferred
• Strong Christian commitment, spiritual maturity and discernment evidenced by life and character including active and regular fellowship with other Christians
• Strong team player with proven ability to collaborate constructively and find solutions to achieve objectives while building and maintaining good relationships at all levels.
• Ability to coach and support experienced senior professionals, providing necessary direction and guidance; managing by objectives while delegating the detailed management of their teams and specialised areas of content

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

• The position requires ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time.
• Requires to work with other virtual teams of different time zones.

Applicant Types Accepted: