Careers That Empower Young Dreamers

When you make a decision to work with Children Believe you’re not just doing something great for your career, you’re helping empower children around the world to access education, pursue their dreams and be a voice for change. We know there are lots of career options for talented, top performers like you, but not many offer the opportunity to help children live and dream fearlessly. Children Believe is currently recruiting for the following position:  

Country Representative – Ethiopia Office

Country Representative (CR) Provides strategic leadership to advance the mission and strategy of Children Believe (CB). Promotes external relations and representations to build our in-country identity, brand and capacity. Grows our credibility and income through innovative programming, providing evidence of results, and communicating success, aligning our capacity and capability through key networks and stakeholders.

Leads issues-based programming with a specific focus towards centre of excellence(CoE) that seeks to significantly promote the quality of life of children and youth living in empowered communities. This includes working with partner organizations. Develops our influence agenda with respect to national development policies, building collaborative relationships with key government, international and national NGO leaders, donors and international organizations. 

Advances our new business development strategy through building innovative relationships with potential funding organizations and within the private sector, and developing or participating in appropriate networks, coalitions and consortia. Participates in key CB leadership processes working to strengthen the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the organization, advancing the successful implementation of the brand strategy, and providing a country-specific voice where needed. 

 Attracts, nurtures and retains a CO team that collaboratively contributes to CB’s mission within the CO and across the organisation. This being a senior leadership position mandates GLT engagement with active and positive contribution to overall organizational strategy, performance, and culture. As a responsible leader you will demonstrate CB’s values and uphold CB's vision and mission. 

This is a field centric role and the position holder is expected to provide facilitative leadership and technical guidance over program related matters of CB and all it’s current of future subsidiaries or affiliates both in-country and at regional level. The CR will supervise and provide support to all sub-projects within the Program Portfolio whether direct or aided. 

This role includes, but not limited to:

Strategic Leadership – 15% of time

• Responsible to develop and execute country strategic and operational plans and tactics, aligned with regional/global strategy, vision and values with guidance from CIPO, P&P.

• Lead building the capacity of CB partners through effective training tools including workshops, seminars, coaching, etc.

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with local and regional partners, the development community and government agencies and network, advocate, raise awareness and position CB as a leading expert and credible resource on issues pertinent to child and community development.

• Champion CB’s global organization-wide initiatives contributing to global education, promoting awareness of international development issues, representing CB at local, regional and international fora, and positioning CB as an organization of choice.

Diversify Funding Source – 20% of time

• Achieve CB’s organizational objectives for income growth and revenue diversification by accessing nationally based funding sources, identifying new funding streams, and ensuring grant compliance in close coordination with Director Global Partnerships.

• Lead the development of a donor relations strategy; build and cultivate a strong network of bilateral, multilateral, corporate and foundation relationships in support of the revenue strategy.

• Promote centres of programming excellence which can be used by the central grant acquisition team of CB to develop new funding relationships with new donors on a global basis.

• Achieving quality Results – 20% of time

• Direct the operations of all programs and projects to achieve agreed results.

• Provide direction and support to CB partners, holding them accountable for timely deliverables and conscientious use of resources.

• Actively contribute to the planning, implementation and monitoring of CB supported programs/projects related to relief, commodities, child protection, development, etc. 

• Ensure program/project monitoring and evaluation reports are prepared and submitted according to established procedures and promotion of best practices

• Encourage/influence program/project community leaders to participate in training and information sharing activities.

• Actively engage programs/projects and communities in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs/projects.

• Facilitate inter-program/project collaboration and networking.

• Risk Management – 10% of time

• Ensure the financial integrity and viability of the Country Office (CO) and CB supported programs.

• Regularly review and recommend changes to policies, procedures and guidelines to measurably improve organizational effectiveness and comply with local legislation.

• Ensure the performance of all contracts, memorandums of agreement (MOAs), and other internal/external regulations.

• Recommend and take ownership for program and project affiliation, growth, graduation, disengagement and disaffiliation.

• Ensure timely and useful communications between COs, RO and the Office at Canada, including regular reporting and information. 

• Provide proactive oversight to corporate security aspects for safety of staff and safe operations.

Capacity Building – 25% of time

• Lead and develop a high performing CO/RO team.

• Utilize CB’s subject matter experts as required to inform, approve and drive the work of the CB at local and regional level as applicable.

• Build staff capacity and a culture focused on achieving both quality and results.

• Recruit and retain top performing staff; evaluate performance, provide training, recognize and reward achievement and discipline as required. 

• Comply with all CB policies and procedures.

Other Assignments – 10% of time

• Other related duties as assigned.

• You will be required to contribute to the in-country/regional/ international program interventions in sync with organizational strategic directives.

Job Application Closing Date: September 8, 2023

Job Requirements

Qualifications & Experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or relevant development field.

• Minimum 10 years work experience in the development field with at least 4 years in a senior leadership role with experience in management and execution of programs related to at least 1-2 of the priority issues envisaged in CB’s current strategy revolving around education. 

• Proven experience:

• Using Results Based Management (RBM) and Participatory Development Approach (PDA) tools, and Logical Framework Analysis (LFA). Also project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation.

• Leading a new business development/grant acquisition team, including leadership in developing and maintaining contacts and influencing funding agencies. 

• Networking and relationship-building skills.

• Advocacy and influencing policy.

• With private sector engagement/corporate social responsibility. Ability to work effectively with partners in the corporate, for-profit sector.

• Proven ability to develop strategic and operational plans and related budgets, and to translate strategy into measurable, achievable tactics and execute operational plans

• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to develop, motivate, monitor, and evaluate cross functional project team members assigned to the project to meet tight deadlines.

• Discretion and sound reasoning in dealing with sensitive matters; ability to independently solve complex and challenging problems;

• Ability to lead a diverse team to achieve organizational objectives and navigate change. Decision-making and conflict management ability.

• Excellent knowledge of group facilitation, training, capacity-building, community mobilization and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to analyze, integrate and use financial data to accurately identify and diagnose key issues and develop strategies and plans.

• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

• Commitment to achieving results within timelines, proactive and self-motivated.

• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, including public speaking, networking and presentation skills.

• Ability to speak and write fluently in English and applicable local language(s).

• Computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet; MS Project is an asset.

• Knowledge of key social, political and economic issues of the country of operation, regional and global level.

• Demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity and experience.

• Demonstrated commitment to CB’s Christian Vision, Mission and Values.

Attributes, Traits, Behaviours:

• Demonstrate Ownership, Emotional intelligence and good at Creative Problem Solving

• Champion organizational decisions and model organizational values including Respect for Diversity, high standard of Integrity, Professionalism, Result Orientedness and Accountability.

• Exhibit flexibility and adaptability. 

• Effective Communication

• Inclusive Collaboration

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Influential style of leadership 

• Manage personal health, stress and wellbeing.

• Exhibit a credible presence that commands attention and respect and installs confidence in others.

How to Apply

If you believe you have that unique combination of a not-for-profit heart combined with the skills and interest for the “Country Representative” position, please use this link: CLICK HERE

Applications are welcome from qualified applicants and will be received until September 8, 2023.
Applications must be submitted in English.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Ethiopia.

Consistent with our Child Protection/Safe-Guarding Policy the successful candidate must receive clearance by a criminal record check.

Children Believe is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all applicants for applying, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

People & Culture Team

Children Believe