Regional Governance Advisor-Southern Africa

PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The purpose of this regional position is to apply the relevant knowledge, skills and methods that promote the development of high performing national office governing boards that guide, protect and ensure the achievement of the World Vision Mission and Vision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• BOARD DEVELOPMENT:
  * Research and apply the most relevant and effective board governance practices that advance National Boards and Advisory Councils towards higher levels of performance in collaboration with National Directors and Regional Leaders.
  * Lead the development of a three year regional governance strategy, annual work plan and Regional Forum plan for board capacity building and other learning processes that enhance the quality of governance within national offices in the Southern Africa Region.
  * Produce periodic progress reports against defined objectives and submit them to the Partnership Leader for Governance, Regional Leaders and National Directors
  * Organize assessments and utilize monitoring methods for continual Board and Advisory Council performance evaluation by collecting feedback about the results of board development and other governance related inputs. Define recommendations to improve board governance work in the national offices.
  * Create a resource base from the Southern Africa region of board governance related experts and institutions that World Vision can collaborate with or utilize in developing national office governance competencies.
  * Facilitate the adoption by National Offices and Regional Offices of tools and instruments (e.g. RACI) that clarify the respective decision rights of the National Director, Board and RL at the Intermediate and Interdependent governance stages of national offices.
  * Participate, upon invitation by the national director or Board/Advisory Council Chair, in specific Board or Advisory Council meetings as an active observer in their governance processes and provide written feedback of observations and recommendations.
• NATIONAL OFFICE GOVERNANCE TRANSITIONS:

* Provide competent advice, coaching, detailed plans and evaluation of readiness for board transitions to Branch, Intermediate and fully Interdependent status.
* Manage the Regional Office part of the National Offices' transitions process as a key advisor to the Regional Leaders.
*Advise National Directors on the process and provide organisational development support to the transitions process.

• PEER REVIEW:
  * Provide advice for an appropriate follow-up and implementation plan of Peer Review recommendations
  * Facilitate the process to convert Peer Review recommendations into board development goals and objectives that enhance governance effectiveness before the next peer review.
• COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY:
  * Contribute to regional senior management meetings in support of the RL and to Governance Department planning and coordination meetings.
  * Uphold any Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that defines the working relationship between the WV Governance Department and the Southern Africa Regional Office
  * Participate actively in weekly chapel, devotions and spiritual development retreats in work location.
  * Carry out any other tasks consistent with the position’s purposes, as may be required by the Partnership Leader for Governance
  * Practice the Core Values, Covenant of Partnership and Partnership Principles

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

This is a senior regional position that requires a person who has considerable understanding of governance principles and prior experience working with boards either as a board member or CEO/ND.
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through a combination of formal schooling, self-education, prior experience, or on-the-job training:

REQUIRED:

• Masters level or higher degree in related field such as Human Development, Law, Organisational Development, Management, or Governance
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the functioning of International NGOs such as World Vision in terms of their governance, management and operations.
• Understanding of peer review mechanisms
• Broad knowledge and understanding of current board governance issues in the region and/or the world
• Experience in senior management roles, including working directly under a board or serving on a board, preferably in a nonprofit.
• An understanding of current practices in corporate governance in the corporate as well as the NGO sector.
• Proven ability to work with high level members of board and advisory councils across physical and cultural distances.
• Excellent communication skills, with fluency in written and spoken English, and strong interpersonal skills and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to lead and coordinate board assessments and facilitate board training while delivering tasks on time.
• Outstanding coordination skills, with ability to handle multiple activities concurrently, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
• International experience/exposure through travel or living working in other countries
• Ability to participate effectively in a virtual team while ensuring achievement of team objectives
• Good diplomatic and negotiating skills and ability to exercise discretion
• Demonstrated commitment to World Vision's mission statement and Core Values.
• Able to travel a minimum of 30% of the time
• Proven ability to work across different cultures and nationalities within the region
  

PREFERRED:

• Ability to speak a second major language prominent in the Region is preferred

Regional Governance Advisor-Southern Africa