Regional Leader - MEER

World Vision · Nicosia

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With 75 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 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities:

JOB TITLE: Regional Leader – Middle East & Eastern Europe (MEER)

JOB PUPOSE

The Regional Leader, MEER will direct regional operations of World Vision (WV) and provide oversight to 14 countries (Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania, Romania, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Jerusalem-West Bank, Türkiye, and Ukraine) by ensuring effective management of ministry in alignment with WV’s Vision, Mission, Core Values and global strategic directions. This includes areas of operations including but not limited to strategy management, people management, financial resource management, risk management, Board/Advisory Council and partnership engagement while at the same time managing the performance and effectiveness of WV’s work in the 14 countries and the Regional Office. The role will represent, position, enhance and protect World Vision’s ministry in the region both internally within the WV Partnership and externally to relevant audiences and bodies. WV Romania, Armenia and Albania have governing boards, WV Lebanon and Jerusalem-West Bank have an Advisory Council and WV Bosnia and Georgia have emerging Advisory Councils . WV has some operations in Abkhazia which is managed by WV Georgia. WV’s work in Moldova is managed by WV Romania. The operations in Syria, Turkey & Jordan are managed as one Syria Response.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

Strategic Leadership and External Engagement:

• Provide strategic leadership to effectively deliver the whole mission through National Offices and regional initiatives, in alignment with WV Vision, Goals, Mission, Core Values, global strategy.
• Lead the implementation of the Partnership Strategy (Our Promise), while building unity and promoting a culture of twin-citizenship across all 14 National Offices and the Regional Office.
• Adjust regional and national structures so to optimize the impact for the most vulnerable children and deliver efficient operating models in the region.
• Accompany and support the WV entities that will become self-sufficient in the adjustment of the strategy and presence in their countries to achieve the needed impact.
• Be ultimately accountable for executive leadership in emergencies II and III (Levels 2 and 3) responses, in liaison with Global Disaster Management unit.
• Serve as WVI spokesperson at key regional forums (internal and external), including regular engagement in Amman, Jordan with the Regional donors and UN hubs.
• Support the Chief Field Operations Officer in the effective management and leadership of World Vision’s worldwide ministry operations and contribute effectively to the Global Operations Leadership Team (GOLT).
• Represent the region in WV Partnership senior management groups and forums.

Accountability & Stewardship

• Ensure alignment to Our Promise/global strategy for self-funding and interdependent offices within the region.
• Ensure adequate impact of WV’s presence through effective operations, public engagement, ministry delivery and alignment of intermediate branch, program and project countries within the region.
• Monitor strategies for all offices within the region to maximize the quality of the ministry.
• Monitor alignment of Partnership policies and standards for all offices within the region.
• Be ultimately accountable for the implementation of Peer Review and Audit processes and recommendations.
• Approve country operating budgets and major capital expenditures for program and branch offices. Revise and concur with budgets for intermediate offices and influence operating budgets of interdependent offices through board membership.
• Ensure planning processes enable National Offices to use available resources in the best way to carry out agreed upon country strategies.
• Lead the regional crisis management team.

Organizational Culture (aka “promote the World Vision way”, and includes Conflict Resolution):

• Provide spiritual leadership, promote the Christian ethos of World Vision in the region, and strengthen the spiritual development of all staff.
• Set an example in strong personal Christian faith integrated in work and encourage Christian growth among staff within the region.
• Ensure WV’s Christian ethos and values are properly contextualized in National Offices within the region.
• Ensure the highest achievement of ethical, moral and behavioural standards in alignment with WV Christian ethos, code of conduct and behaviour protocol.
• Support through prayer the life, work and relationships of the regional team and National Directors.
• Role model servant leadership by personal example.
• Encourage a positive and open style of leadership that enhances teamwork and develops an effective performance management culture.
• Support organizational change and improvement at strategic operational level.
• Ensure the application of partnership conflict resolution processes to identify and resolve conflicts between various entities at the lowest possible level.

Leadership Development:

• Ensure adequacy of sectoral and management support skills needed to deliver the ministry.
• Lead the selection process for National Directors and present final candidate(s) for approval to the Chief Field Operations Officer for Program and Branch offices; act as the President’s delegate as assigned in the selection of National Directors in Intermediate and Interdependent offices.
• Oversee recruitment, orientation, development and transition of National Directors.
• Manage performance of National Directors by regularly assessing, challenging and supporting them (by distance and through periodic on-site travel) in line with WV leadership development strategy.
• Mentor, develop and guide National Directors in the areas of strategy, governance, policy and protection of the WV brand and reputation.
• Lead the recruitment and selection of the Regional Directors, ensuring they have the skills and strategic support to fulfill their roles.
• Give specific attention to mentoring and supporting the regional senior leadership team for spiritual growth and professional development. 
• Create enabling environment through supervision, coaching, mentoring, and on-site observation of outcomes to ensure effectiveness of National Directors. Ensure succession planning for National Directors and own position, by identifying women and men with demonstrated potential for future leadership and support their development.

Board Engagement/Advisory Council

• Support National Directors in the appropriate selection of members and the development and functioning of Advisory Councils and Boards according to approved Partnership standards and guidelines.
• Engage with board/Advisory Council chairs and NDs to ensure accountability of National Offices.
• Review board documents and receive reports.
• Represent WVI President on National Boards and Advisory Councils.
• Be ultimately accountable for the implementation of Peer Review and Audit processes and recommendations.
• Others
• Carry out other tasks and duties as may be assigned from time-to-time by the Chief Field Operations Officer.

KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience      

• A minimum of ten years’ experience providing strategic leadership as a senior organizational leader, within the humanitarian industry, including senior leadership experience in MEER.
• A minimum of five years’ (5) experience managing a multi-cultural leadership team is required.
• A minimum of five years’ (5) experience working with an Advisory Council or Board, either as a member, reporting to one or developing and advising an Advisory Council or Board is required.

Required Education

• Minimum educational qualification of a master’s degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications        

• Demonstrated ability to work and lead successfully with conflict and post-conflict contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to be a Partnership player and build unity and create an organizational behaviour that fits the demands of the new Partnership Strategy.
• A heart and a passion for the region and its people.
• Demonstrated ability to deal decisively with complex situations.
• Proven track record of successfully coaching and mentoring executive level leaders, either at a national, regional or global level.
• Experience working in a matrix reporting environment.
• Working knowledge and understanding of World Vision from a leadership perspective is preferred. 

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement         

• Up to 30% (internationally and regionally)

Language Requirements         

• Strong written and oral English language skills is a must

Applicant Types Accepted:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation with a mission centred on following Jesus Christ in service to the world´s most vulnerable children. Therefore, in all locations to the fullest extent legally permissible, the successful applicant will affirm our core documents, observe conduct compatible with Christian principles, serve at a high level of professional ethics and strive to act in accordance with cultural sensitivities. Furthermore, regular attendance with team and office devotions, chapel and prayer gatherings are expected in line with policies in the World Vision host location and its departments.

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