World Vision International has been operating in Georgia since 1994 aiming at building the local capacity, contributing to the development/adjustment of the national child welfare policies and systems. Within the area of child protection and participation World Vision Georgia (WVG) created Child Friendly Spaces and introduced Small Group Home model. Mother and Infant Shelter became an important governmental service preventing the institutionalization. 192 children and youth living and working in streets were assisted through different initiatives. 7 youth centers of Batumi, Kutaisi, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, Ninotsminda, Bolnisi and Marneuli were established contributing to the empowerment of local youth.

WVG also promotes Maternal and Child Health & Nutrition (MCHN) through parents clubs in Imereti, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kakheti regions of Georgia. In addition we pursue healthy lifestyles and promote the HIV/AIDS prevention through peer educators, counseling and livelihood assistance to people with HIV/AIDS.

Since 2008 World Vision Georgia has undertaken a range of activities that benefits Internally Displaced Persons living in Shida Kartli settlements. 30 funded micro businesses, 3 new green houses and 16 demo plots is an incomplete list of achievements. In 2008 WVG started 12 year initiative in Imereti, Kakheti and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions of Georgia named Area Development Program. Working in 52 communities of the aforementioned regions WVG contributes to the community well-being by empowering local children and their families in three major directions: education, health and livelihood. All the activities are community driven and are implemented in cooperation with municipalities, schools, ambulatories etc. led by the Community Initiative Groups established by WVG. Starting from 2005 WVG has also been implementing the Abkhazia Program aiming at helping the most vulnerable groups in the area in close cooperation with different donors.

Job title: Program Director

Location: Tbilisi

Duration: 3 year employment (end date on 31 January, 2017)

Contextual personnel issues:

This position is considered domestic for citizens of South Caucasus countries. Successful candidate must be able to travel to Abkhazia region frequently. He/she needs to have a valid international driver license and be able to drive manual gear cars (not only automatic).

Purpose of the position:

The primary focus of this role is to lead, develop and direct all aspects of WV's work in Georgia as part of the broader South Caucasus Sub-Regional program. The role includes ensuring WV programs directly contribute to the sustainable well-being of children and fulfilment of their rights within families and communities. Represent WV to all relevant 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 Georgia staff promoting fairness and transparency in decision making. Ensure alignment with 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 the office has a high quality Christian Commitment strategy and operations plan that is appropriate for country context;

** Model a high standard of personal Christian leadership, ministry and integrity though lifestyle and work relationships. ** Exhibit spiritual maturity, integrity and a dynamic personal sense of life calling;

** Attend and participate in spiritual nurture meetings/devotions as scheduled.

2. Leadership and Management of WV Georgia Program:

** 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 WV Georgia SLT], building a culture of empowerment, high performance, open transparency and mutual support. Ensure capable staff are available to implement WV Georgia 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 ND to manage the human, financial, capital, and technical resources of the Georgia programs with prudence, diligence and discernment. Inspire and maintain high standards of work and clear accountability to stakeholders.

3. Ministry Performance:

** Work with WV Georgia 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 Georgia Programs.

** 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 WV Georgia 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.

4.. Strategic Development:

** Participate in Georgia 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 Georgia Ministry strategy is aligned with South Caucasus Sub-Regional, Regional and Partnership strategic priorities.

** Successfully contribute towards implementation of the WV Georgia programs 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 WV Georgia 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.

5. Representation and Networking:

** Strengthen awareness of World Vision Georgia programs 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 SC Strategy, Quality and Evidence ** Director and DME 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 SC Strategy, Quality and Evidence Director and DME Manager develop and maintain relationships at the local level with NGOs and local government sectors.

6. 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;

** Assure shared services meet the targets for yield to ministry, yield to community and ratio of support staff to total programming

7. 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.

8. 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 and 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

** Knowledge of Russian and/or Georgian is preferred.

** Experience: At least 10 years of managerial experience Experience of working in Caucasus is an asset.

** 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: hr_wvarm@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.

The deadline for submitting the applications is 29 January, 2014.

source: jobs.ge