Country Manager in Ethiopia A Child's Right

Reports to: Program Manager (USA)


About a child’s right:

a child’s right (ACR) is a charitable organization founded in 2006, based in Seattle, Washington USA. Our mission is to change the lives of vulnerable children in impoverished urban areas by providing clean, safe drinking water to orphanages, street shelters, rescue homes, schools and children’s hospitals. In five years we have brought, and continue to provide, safe drinking water to over 250,000 children in cities around the world. To learn more about our organization please visit www.achildsright.org.

ACR has been active in Ethiopia, focused exclusively on Addis Ababa, since 2008 and currently has 27 water projects installed at orphanages, schools, hospitals and children’s shelters. One part-time project coordinator based in Addis, with supervision from the US office, currently manages the operations. In 2012, ACR will establish a permanent office in Ethiopia and obtain local accreditation as a non-profit organization.


Position Overview:

The Country Manager – Ethiopia is responsible for managing all aspects of ACR’s work in Ethiopia. The Manager will direct and supervise programs focusing on water treatment and hygiene education for children living in Addis Ababa. Significant amount of time will be spent at the individual project sites, meeting with school and orphanage directors and other partner site staff. It will also be necessary to work with appropriate Ethiopian government officials and local representatives to obtain all legal accreditation. The Manager will ensure that the mission and objectives of ACR are carried out in harmony with the organization’s global mission and ethical values.


Required Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and communications skills in both English and Amharic
• Minimum of 5 years work history in related NGO or business sector
• Strong staff management and team-building skills
• Minimum of two years of financial management experience including overseeing financial and reporting procedures
• Dedication to supporting the needs and potential of children in Ethiopia


Desired Qualifications:

• Ethiopian national preferred
• University degree in management, development, engineering or environment
• Extensive knowledge of the water, sanitation and hygiene situation in Ethiopia, specifically in the urban context
• Proven experience working in an NGO environment
• Prior experience providing direct technical assistance and training to a diverse team of technicians, educators and other specialists
• Proven ability to work within a remote reporting environment
• Valid drivers license and ability to drive to partner site locations


Responsibilities:

Country Operations Oversight (60%)
• Manage the performance of staff against the mission and objectives of ACR as well as individual job descriptions, providing staff assessment reviews at least bi-annually
• Coordinate the hiring process for any new staff, with final authorization by the US office
• Identify and approve potential new partner organizations and sites suitable for water project installations and hygiene education programs
• Maintain familiarity with local and national water standards, and share any changes or concerns with US staff
• Ensure that all data, photos, monitoring results, and other required information are communicated to ACR for inclusion into the public database, Proving It
• Prepare quarterly reports of Ethiopia activities for inclusion in the report submitted to the Board of Directors
• Create and manage budgets and operational procedures within the parameters of country-specific goals, submit monthly to US staff
• Maintain regular written and phone conversation with US staff
• Oversee the construction and preparation process for installation of water equipment and water stations
• Manage the process of equipment shipping, customs clearance and storage

Relationship Building (30%)
• Build and maintain high-trust and close relationships with all partner organizations and partner sites
• Conduct regular meetings with government officials and other decision-makers in the agencies with which ACR works, or is anticipating working with
• Participate in weekly meetings with Program Manager – Health & Hygiene, and be prepared to discuss, without reservation, all issues and concerns with respect to existing program or governmental discussions

General Organizational Support (10%)
• Remain engaged in and updated on activities within the Ethiopian WASH sector
• Represent ACR at appropriate conferences, seminars, trade shows and other networking events
• Support the Development Department in the preparation of funding proposals and donor reports
• Capture photo and video during field visits that will support the mission of ACR as well as to support donor communications efforts
• Complete other tasks as assigned by US staff and within the scope of the ACR mission


Salary for this position will be set based on the particular qualifications of the candidate, and will be competitive with similarly sized NGO’s operating in Ethiopia. There will be a 3-month provisional employment period before signing a long-term contract.


Please send cover letter and CV detailing your qualifications by 31 March 2012 to: ethiopia@achildsright.org.