Summary
Date Posted: Monday, January 20 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Position title: Country Director
Location: Lusaka
ChildFund Office: Zambia
Manager/ Supervisor title: Africa Regional Director
Position type: Full-time fixed term
Work environment: On-site

About ChildFund
ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.
ChildFund’s Values
ChildFund is creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund’s Commitment
ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.

About This Role
The Country Director (CD) is responsible for building and leading a high-performing Senior Management Team (SMT) to provide leadership and oversight of ChildFund Zambia’s operations. This includes strategy development and implementation, business development, external engagement, country management, advocacy and communications, building partnerships, sponsorship stewardship, quality program delivery, monitoring and evaluation, research and knowledge management, HR and Administration support, enterprise risk management, disaster risk management and response, and ensuring the safety and security of staff and organizational assets.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:
• Leadership: Demonstrates inspiring leadership in promoting ChildFund values, vision, and mission. Provides strategic oversight and ensures excellence in developing and maintaining a healthy portfolio. Ensures a workplace culture of high staff satisfaction and engagement. Develops program strategies with monitoring and learning systems. Maintains a portfolio of strong local implementing partners. Drives ambitious business development and grants execution.
• Business Development and Grants Execution: Leads the strategic positioning of the country office in business development opportunities by developing and strengthening enhancing external appropriate relationships with the donor community (i.e., government, corporate leaders, foundations).
• Human Resource Management: Oversees the recruitment and orientation of staff and provides ongoing talent management supervision, leadership, and guidance. Supervises, guides and mentors staff to achieve performance metrics and core outcomes. Oversees the establishment and functioning of a strong effective senior leadership team.
• Program Management: Provides leadership in the management of functions associated with the implementation of program models and delivery mechanisms (i.e., budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, gender equity and diversity).
• Risk Management: Oversees and manages enterprise risks (i.e., financial, human resources, data privacy, program, safeguarding), including timely responses to audit corrective actions. Leads Country Office responses during times of emergencies.
• Financial Management: Ensures optimal financial, human and physical resource allocation and management in alignment with quality standards. Ensures adequate internal controls are in place to protect CO financial and non-monetary assets used in accordance with donor terms and conditions.
• Organizational Branding: Ensures the organization is recognized by stakeholders (relevant government authorities, donors, other NGOs, media, etc.) as a strong child development organization and credible reference point on development issues. Aims to be a leader and recognized voice in advocating for children’s rights.
• Knowledge Management: Leads the development and dissemination of learning and knowledge products based on standards and best practices. Ensures the proper documentation of approaches, project and program designs, lessons-learned, case studies, and other related products.
• Safety & Security: Responsible for leading the implementation of standards, policies, and procedures to protect personnel, programs, and property. Leads a culture of safety and security risk management at the country office. Monitors security trends for appropriate action. Allocates adequate budget for safe program implementation and cost recovery. Upholds “duty of care” by implementing measures to promote physical and mental health. Works closely with the global security team to achieve standards and coordinate responses to incidents.
• Safeguarding: Ensures a strong organizational culture and work environment whereby staff fully understand and apply safeguarding standards, protecting children against violence, abuse, and neglect. Ensures adequate reporting, investigation, decision-making, and implementation of appropriate actions in case of violations in child safeguarding standards by staff or partner organizations. Remains alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks. Conducts oneself in a manner consistent with the organization’s Safeguarding Policy.

Required Experience and Education
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree in international development, human rights, or any related field of community development/social science or another relevant discipline is a plus.
• At least 9 years of experience in the development sector, including senior management team experience, preferably inside and outside of Zambia.
• Demonstrated track record of effectively managing complex programs.
• Experience in the acquisition, implementation, and administration of institutional grants from major international donors.
• Experience in managing emergency situations and implementation of disaster responses.
• Experience with sponsorship models and local partnerships is preferred.
Required Competencies
• The ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated inclusive management skills, including fostering teamwork, developing and motivating teams, and conflict resolution.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the child protection and child-focused programming landscape and cultural context in Zambia and the southern Africa region generally.
• Strong entrepreneurship mentality and business development abilities.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in child-focused program management, sponsorship, project management, and budget and resource management.
• Effective and demonstrated change management skills, with the ability to proactively lead and champion innovation and organizational change.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, SharePoint, Teams, etc.
Organization’s Core Competencies
• Teamwork: Creates a culture of collaboration among teams, departments, external business partners, and all employee levels.
• Communication: Communicates effectively and engages senior-level executives on complex organizational issues in a timely manner.
• Results orientation: Cultivates an environment of trust and psychological safety where individuals feel safe taking ownership and accountability over actions and results.
• Decision making: Creates an environment of empowerment and trust to facilitate critical analysis, ruthless triage and prioritization, and effective decision making.
• Resilience: Champions and actively supports organizational change, maintaining momentum as changes are implemented.
• Digital Literacy: Inspires others to actively seek out opportunities to incorporate digital solutions in their regular work processes.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 108

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

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