Regional Director, Middle East & North Africa

JOB SUMMARY: The Regional Director  for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will provide operational oversight and leadership for all of Right To Play’s programs in the region including 3 countries and areas of operation: Lebanon; Jordan; and, the Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza). The Regional Director role requires a good understanding of child development best practices, and program design and implementation in both development and emergency contexts. The Regional Director will provide inspirational leadership to the team and guide the country office staff in strategic direction. As such, the Regional Director should be strong at talent management, and know how to build, train, sustain and grow successful and diverse teams. Fundraising, especially grant or ‘restricted revenue’ generation with governments, corporations and foundations will be a critical part of the Regional Director’s role, and in this regard an entrepreneurial approach will be an asset. The Regional Director will also need to advocate for sport for development and peace and be able to act as a regional spokesperson, negotiator and communicator. The Regional Director should have the full range of administrative and managerial skills required for such a position, including team leadership, cross-cultural communication,  financial management and advanced  writing, presenting and advocacy skills. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Job Responsibility #1: Talent Management and Leadership (% of Time: 25%): This position represents the key staff management link between Right To Play’s global office and the field. Provide motivational leadership to regional staff and act as the ambassador and champion for Right To Play Directly manage a team of regional office staff with technical expertise and a senior management team comprised of  country managers all of whom are directly line managed by the Regional Director Exhibit and promote use of best practices in performance management In collaboration with the Human Resource team at the global office, develop the skill base of key staff within the region and ensure succession and development plans Act as sounding board for country staff   Direct Reports Indirect Reports   Country   Managers   Regional   M&E Officer   Regional   Training Officer   Regional   Human Resources Manager   Regional   Finance Officer  Regional Staff Country Staff For direct reports, Regional Director has the responsibility and authority to create/revise the job description, interview and select staff with input from others. S/he orients, trains, and coaches direct reports (and other staff) as required. The Regional Director is responsible for completing all performance management activities for direct reports including performance planning, monitoring, and regular performance appraisals. S/he recommends or initiates personnel actions for direct reports such as merit increases and other salary adjustments, promotions, transfers, terminations, and disciplinary actions including performance improvement plans. For  indirect reports, the Regional Director provides input on HR and performance problems identified by direct report regarding the actions and activities of their indirect reports. The Regional Director may be consulted on the design of new positions, participate on interview teams for new and existing positions, provide input on performance, and delegate tasks as required. S/he may veto any action that is not aligned with Right To Play approved culture and policies and local legislation.   Job Responsibility #2: Operational and Financial Management (% of Time: 25%): Ensure the implementation of standard operating and financial procedures and practices as well as compliance to them in all countries and projects Oversee budget development for the entire region and ensure coherence with organizational policies, donor agreements and other guidelines Monitor spending to ensure expenditures, activities and deliverables are within project scope, budget and timeline Review, analyze and discuss with direct reports progress on activities and review their workplans regularly to assess progress against targets and determine where adjustment or internal communication is necessary Initiate internal audit and disciplinary procedures, if required, ensuring appropriate collaboration and communication with Global Office   Job Responsibility #3: Strategic and Operational Planning (% of Time: 20%) Strategically manage the regional development including analysis of the portfolio of countries, programs and projects, HR requirements and funding streams Decide on growth areas and new programmatic or thematic directions in line with the global strategic framework and local priorities Ensure the development of  detailed operational and activity plans for each project and program Analyze trends and changes within the international development and country context for the region and communicate these to the relevant stakeholders Moderate and manage consultative decision making processes for regional strategies and directions Help country offices develop country strategic plans that help to achieve progress within the context of an organization wide 5-year strategic plan   Job Responsibility #4: Restricted Revenue Generation (% of Time: 20%) Source and develop proposals to aquire grants/restricted sources of revenues from governments, multi-laterals and corporations Communicate the funding options and priorities for the region and provide guidance to the other stakeholders within Right To Play that raise restricted revenues, including team members in the global office and national offices Understand interests and emerging trends within the funding community as well as best practices and standards for implementing funding agreements, and oversee the documentation/summarization and sharing of these practices and standards     Job Responsibility #5: Program Design and Implementation (% of Time: 10%)   Coordinate the implementation of core programmatic models within Right To Play at the country level including ensuring adequate staff capacity for quality programming and by ensuring global standard data is collected and shared Collaborate with country teams to develop and deepen programmatic thinking and design Design innovative  programs that better address the needs of children and youth in the region, in collaboration with the global office Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the success of the programs and their ability to create the desired positive outcomes for children Work with other regions and the International Programs team at the global office to learn from program implementation and modify methodology and tools to represent best practices as they evolve EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION: Required (must have): Master’s degree in International Development, International Business, Political Science or a related field with strong experience   Desired (asset): Other international development and child protection/development certifications   EXPERIENCE Required (must have):  10 to 15 years experience in international development or related field Substantial experience in team leadership and directly supervising staff Proven experience in developing and managing budgets Proven experience writing successful complex proposals and reports to donors Fluent in written and spoken English Experience in operational planning and results based management Experience in partnership development Proven experience in successful generation of grants/restricted funding Authorized to travel to West Bank and Gaza   Desired (asset): A second or third language relevant to the region (Arabic) Experience in child and youth development Experience in sport and play programming for development and peace Experience in particular thematic areas relevant to the MENA Region   KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED: Knowledge and understanding of the international development and emergency sector including  key stakeholders and international conventions Ability to do financial report analysis and to ensure effective management of large budgets Able to lead and guide the regional budgeting process Proven ability to build new funding relationships and steward existing donor relationship Knowledge and skill in managing and mentoring staff, and providing technical support and oversight to those who are not direct reports Knowledge of the history of regional conflicts, adversity facing children and youth in the region, their status, etc. Excellent oral and written communication   Desired (asset): Understanding of sport for development and peace methodology   COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: Takes an inclusive approach to management and towards beneficiaries Demonstrates an understanding and belief in gender equality and the need for positive gender role models male and female Has a understanding of the breadth of the term child protection and the  issues facing children and youth Acknowledges and Values the role of the community in supporting children and youth facing adversity Works to ensure sustainability of impact beyond organizational intervention  Consistently communicates a com­pelling vision that gener­ates excitement, enthusiasm and commitment to the group’s mission, purpose and goals. Anticipates and manages change including related conflicts that may arise. Able to lead program development with Regional and Country teams Assesses impact associated with changes to current processes, systems, services or operations. Considers the wider implications to the organization, partners, donors, governments, etc.    Ensures approved change initiatives are implemented and sustained. Manages key user/client expectations.  Demonstrates belief in continuous learning, innovation, goal orientation, and use of best practices in conducting the business of the organization Identifies and pursues opportunities to build and strengthen partnerships and alliances that are mutually advantageous and support strategic interests of Right To Play  Values and recognizes individual and team contributions. Expresses positive expectations of staff and provides specific coaching and feedback.   Right To Play is a child-centered organization.  Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs.