Program Director – Armenia
Armenia is situated in Eastern Europe and occupies a territory of 29.74 thousand square kilometres. The country neighbors with Georgia in the North, Azerbaijan in the East, Iran in the South, Azerbaijan in the South-West; and Turkey in the West.
Armenia gained its independence in 1991 through a referendum. Currently the Republic of Armenia is a sovereign, democratic, social, rule of law state. The past years of transition from a centralized economy to an open market economy have led to impoverishment, increased unemployment and a crippled social security network in Armenia.
In 2012, almost 36% of the population lives below the poverty line on approximately USD 97 per month. Armenian Statistical Agency
Since 1991, Armenia has been receiving significant relief aid and development assistance from international donors, mostly to lessen the negative side effects of transition, the effect of the conflict with Azerbaijan and to develop the national financial and legal infrastructure. Many of the development projects in Armenia concern the immediate physical needs in local infrastructure rehabilitation and are usually short-term. Though the communities benefit from the improvements, they remain fragmented, and incapable to meet the on-going social and economic challenges. In addition, the main social and economic capital and activity is centralized in Yerevan, and less in 2-3 other major cities, while the rural settings are out of focus of local and external investments allowing for growing migration from villages to cities and abroad.
The Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church is the largest church in Armenia, but lacks sufficient priests to serve communities across the country. The other biggest Christian denominations present in the country are Catholic and Evangelical Churches. Although the followers of the latter constitute are 3% of the country population. The biggest ethnic minority are Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) constituting 1.3% www.armstat.am.
World Vision started work in Armenia in 1988 following the devastating earthquake that killed more than 25,000 people. From this initial relief start, today World Vision Armenia has strong development, relief, and advocacy programming. With 13 Area Development Programs (ADP) in six marzes (provinces) the program covers the country, SEF International (World Vision’s MFI) has fifteen branches, mainly in ADP areas.
Overall, the program is complex with many connections to partner and donor organizations. Advocacy is increasingly an important part of our program as we move from service delivery to an empowerment model, and representation at the highest Government and International Community levels critical for the future of the program.
WV Armenia is currently a Branch office of WVI, in South Caucasus Sub-region within MEER Region. An Advisory Council has been established, that provides high level advice to the Program Director. The Program Director is also a board member of SEF Board of Directors.
LOCATION
Yerevan, Armenia
DURATION
3 year employment (end date on 30 September, 2016)
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The primary focus of this role is to lead, develop and direct all aspects of World Vision’s (WV) work in Armenia, as part of the broader South Caucasus Sub-Regional program. The role includes ensuring WV Armenia programs directly contribute to the sustainable well-being of children and fulfilment of their rights within families and communities. Represent WV Armenia to all donors, project partners, other WV Partnership offices and divisions, including local government, church representatives and non-governmental organizations serving according to given Power of Attorney. Model a high standard of personal Christian leadership; provide leadership to WV Armenia staff promoting fairness and transparency in decision making. Ensure alignment with Microfinance (MFI) through participation in MFI Board and other Governance structures, and provide appropriate collegial support to MFI Executive Director.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Spiritual Leadership
- Ensure that WV Offices in Caucasus Sub-Region have High quality Christian Commitment strategy and operations plan and they are appropriate for country context;
- Model a high standard of personal Christian leadership, Ministry and integrity though lifestyle and work relationships, and provide spiritual guidance to staff on the Vision, Mission and WV Core Values;
- Participate and lead regular devotional meetings.
II. Leadership and Management of WV Armenia
- Promote WV’s Vision, Mission, Core Values and key Partnership Standards and Practices among the staff and partners and ensure these are the core foundation of /the office/ strategies and work;
- To provide a focused vision for the whole organization, motivating all staff to work together towards shared and common goals;
- To select, coach, develop and manage a strong WVA Senior Leadership Team (SLT), building a culture of empowerment, high performance, open transparency and mutual support. Ensure capable staff are available to implement WVA strategy and operational plans as part of South Caucasus Sub-Regional Strategy;
- Review and approve /the office/ succession plan; ensure that proper capacity is in place and succession plan is updated and executed;
- Promote and participate in leadership development initiatives. Promote a culture of learning and development, employee engagement and good stewardship of human capital in the office;
- Respect, value and promote gender, age, religious and ethnic diversity;
- Exercise stewardship of resources and prove to be trustworthy. Assist the South Caucasus Sub-Regional National Director to manage the human, financial, capital, and technical resources of the Armenia program with prudence, diligence and discernment. Inspire and maintain high standards of work and clear accountability to stakeholders.
III. Ministry Performance
- Work with WVA Senior Leadership Team (SLT) & South Caucasus Sub-Regional SLT, and jointly identify the key areas for future programmes and projects, that the targeted communities are in need.
- Provide leadership input to the preparation of winning proposals that address Country Office strategic needs.
- Develop relationships with Donor Agencies, WV Support Offices, the regional office, and WV Partnership Office colleagues in order to incorporate WV guidelines and initiatives in the developed proposals.
- Use assessment, monitoring, and evaluation reports to identify potential funding opportunities for priority programmes and projects that fit within the strategy and operations plan of WV Armenia.
- Work closely with South Caucasus Sub-Regional National Director to develop proposals that will ensure adequate resources are mobilised on time for program and project implementation.
- Liaise with other agencies and communities to ensure that WV’s development strategies are well understood.
- Provide support offices and donors with accurate information on possible programmes/projects.
- Work with WVA SLT team in the preparation or revision of the Operations Plan, ensuring a document of quality and coherence that can serve as a solid management tool.
- Ensure measurable improvement in the well-being of children is achieved as evidenced by achieving targeted improvement in the child well-being outcomes.
- Ensure accountability for the implementation of effective ministry to all key stakeholders. Ensure relevant, timely and accurate flow of management and operational reports according to program objectives and standards and to meet reporting standards of the support and donor partners.
IV. Strategic Development
- Participate in Armenia and South Caucasus Sub-Regional strategic planning process focusing on the development of the long term strategy, to ensure that high quality proposals are developed and submitted to donors on priority strategic areas.
- Ensure that WV Armenia Ministry strategy is aligned with South Caucasus Sub-Regional, Regional and Partnership strategic priorities;
- Successfully contribute towards implementation of the WV Armenia and broader South Caucasus Sub-Regional Strategy, particularly focusing on the establishment and implementation of integrated plans, meeting the needs of communities and donors.
- Ensure there are clear strategies and annual operation plans for Operations and Support Functions are based on the WVA strategy and operational plan and include main priority areas identified in respective South Caucasus Sub-Regional, Regional and Partnership Strategy. Facilitate and be accountable for the execution and monitoring of strategies and annual operation plans
V. Representation and Networking
- Strengthen awareness of World Vision Armenia’s program both within and outside of the WV Partnership;
- Provide leadership, strategic direction and support to the team for developing and implementing excellent donor experience and acquisition of Ministry funds; in collaboration and coordination with the Integrated Quality and Development (IQD) Manager, develop/maintain effective relations with WV Support Offices, as well as current and potential donor representatives, to identify new opportunities and forge alliances that lead to adequate funding.
- Represent World Vision at appropriate UN/NGO/donor meetings, joint agency assessments, and task forces, as required.
- In collaboration and coordination with the IQD Manager and Operations Manager develop and maintain relationships at the local level with NGOs and local government sectors.
VI. Accountable Steward
- Ensure fiscal accountability and assist in meeting audit requirements;
- Work with the Finance team to establish and maintain financial procedures and recording mechanisms.
- Provide overall strategic leadership and initiative for identifying and securing financial resources to support the program;
VII. Compliance and Country Legal Environment
- Ensure the office complies with local legal requirements and standards.
- Represent the office in courts, if required.
- Ensure and oversee proper mechanisms for Child Protection and other WVI Standards and Principles implementation.
VIII. MFI Strategic Management
Facilitate programmatic integration of MFI’s and World Vision community based program operations.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through a combination of formal schooling, self-education, prior experience, or on-the-job training:
Education: University/Master’s degree in relevant field
Knowledge & Skills: Clear understanding of the workings of major donors
Excellent analytical/problem-solving skills and detail orientation
Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)
Strong organizational skills, planning skills, and time management
Thorough knowledge of MS Office (required) and Lotus Notes
Cross-cultural sensitivity, flexible worldview, emotional maturity and physical stamina
Able to maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural contexts, psychologically stressful environments and physical hardship conditions with limited resources
Able to represent WV to major donors and government officials
Ability to work without close supervision
Ability to work in a team structure and operate efficiently
Ability to work in a non-threatening, participatory, supportive manner with all colleagues
Results focused
Strong team building and coaching experience
Commitment to World Vision Core Values and Mission Statement
Able to exhibit exemplary lifestyle as interpreted in specific local culture context
Agreement with World Vision’s Christian ethos and participation in devotions
Clear understanding of World Vision is preferred
Practical understanding of and experience with LEAP approach is preferred
Practical understanding of DME is preferred.
Experience: At least 10 years of managerial experience
Staff management experience
Significant experience in proposal writing, project analysis and integrated project design
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
If you are interested to apply, please send a detailed letter of intent with a CV only in English language addressing relevant qualifications and experience to e-mail: meero_recruit@wvi.org.
In the subject line of your e-mail message, please, mention title and location of the position you are applying for. No information inquiries will be handled over the phone. Only short listed candidates will be notified for the interview.