SOS Children's Villages International
SOS Chidrens Villages is a non-governmental social development organisation that has been active in the field of children's rights and committed to children's need and concerns since 1959. Focussing its work on children without parental care and children in families in difficult circumstances.
Closing date: 27 Nov 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Gambia (the) - Regional Office for North West Africa
Location: Regional Office for North West Africa
The regional public fundined programme coordinator supports the development of public funded family strengthening programmes (FSPs)* within the region. In accordance with the organisation's and the donor's requirements, s/he leads the development of support systems and resources; advises, guides and supports national associations with the development of their family strenthening programmes; facilitates and promotes knowledge-sharing within this area of work; and, represents the region and organisation at relevant forums.
(* Family strengthening programmes are SOS Children's Villages community outreach programmes. They aim to support families and communities to effectively protect and care for their orphans and vulnerable children. Working together with communities and various partners, the programmes ensure children's basic survival and developmental rights are respected and help care-givers improving their child care-skills and resources to better respond to their children's needs.)
The main role responsibilities will mean you:
- Lead the development/monitor the implementation of tools, systems and structures within the family strengthening programmes (FSPs).
- Advise, guide and support national associations with the development of their public funded FSPs.
- Facilitate & promote knowledge-sharing regarding family strengthening programmes.
The role reports directly to the Regional FSP coordinator and cooperates closely with the other members of the RO team who are involved in supporting the work of FSPs.
You will cooperates with other members of the Programme Development team, harmonising activities and processes, in line with the integrated approach. Furthermore you willbe an active contributing member of the continental FSP network and provides close guidance and support to national FSP managers, national directors and other senior national staff supporting FSPs.
Where apprpriate you may also work in conjunction with the International Office and the Promoting and Supporting agencies
Your day to day tasks will include:
- Interpreting the organisation's policy frameworks regarding family strengthening programmes, e.g. Family Strengthening Programmes Manual, within the regional context and the public funding framework agreements.
- Monitiring and tracking the development of FSPs within the region, through reviewing progress reports and statistics, and regular contact with relevant staff and country/programme visits.
- Leading the development/follow up the implementation of required resources (monitoring and evaluation tools, systems & structures), through training workshops and field visits.
- Offering specialist advice, guidance and support to national associations in the area of family strengthening, acting as a knowledge resource.
- Supporting national associations with their public funding reporting requirements and annual FSP planning/budgeting.
- Promoting the exchange of knowledge and good practices between staff, e.g. through peer-to-peer exchange, networking, seminars, etc. Facilitate regional forums on family strengthening, such as good practice sharing workshops.
- Gathering other relevant information, from inside and outside the organisation, to support the development of this area of work. This includes information regarding orphans & vulnerable children, gender issues and HIV & AIDS.
- Maintaining strong support for continental actions and processes, including participating in the continental FSP network under the guidance of the continental FSP advisor.
We are looking for someone with:
- A degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject area
- At least 4 years work experience in the related area (eg community development)
- Proven leadership and people management skills, with at least 3 years people management experience.
- A positive, professional and committed approach. Ability to work independently, self-organise, use initiative, keep commitments and meet deadlines.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, including written and spoken English and French or English and Portuguese. You must have the ability to communicate at multiple levels in the organisation and to produce excellent formal reports
- A well-developed facilitation, group leadership and presentation skills.
- The ability to develop guidelines and tools, and oversee their implementation.
- Computer literacy (MS-Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access).
- The ablility and willingness to travel 10 days a month within the region and sometimes continentally or internationally.
- Culturally astute, respectful and tolerant.
- Strong planning, organising and problem solving skills.
- The ability and willingness to work effectively in a multi-site organisation with a matrix structure and a geographically-dispersed team.
Reference Code: RW_7X7HC2-67
