Regional Representative for Africa

The Regional Representative guides the development of CWS programming in the region to meet the goals of the CWS’ Mission and Strategic Framework. The Regional Representative oversees and provides strategic directions to all CWS programming in Sub-Saharan Africa including, but not limited to refugee processing, humanitarian response, and development. The Regional Representative develops new and nurtures existing CWS partnerships, and identifies opportunities for CWS program growth and expansion in the region. ****Essential Duties:****

Relationships/Representation

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all relevant parties, including host governments, UN systems, US embassies, and other diplomatic representatives, civil society represented by NGOs, churches, and other groups.
• Maintain and further develop strong working partnerships with US government institutions, such as the Departments of State and the Department of Homeland Security; and RSC operational partners like IOM and UNHCR.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with host governments of assigned countries and ensure that all laws and regulations pertaining to NGO work are followed.
• Serve as the primary liaison between CWS Corporate Center (CC) and the staff in the region. Ensure CWS staff are kept informed of key agency directions, strategies and policies. Provide CC staff with input that informs agency decision-making, contributing to strategic direction and policy development.
• Represent CWS at regional/international meetings.
• In consultation with CC, develop new donor contacts and oversee fundraising initiatives for CWS programming in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Support and actively engage in networks and initiatives on humanitarian standards and accountability such as SPHERE, HAP, ICVA, etc.
• Oversee communication with media, aid community, donor and partner communications staff. Liaise with CC staff as appropriate.
• Directly Supervise the RSC Director and CWS Country Directors in Africa.

Program Development and Management

• Oversee long-range strategic planning, overall programmatic direction and growth, and all programs and operations within the region, including, but not limited to refugee processing, humanitarian response, and development and other protection efforts. Represent the region in contributing to the shaping of CWS strategic directions.
• In consultation with CWS staff and partners in the region and at Corporate Center, develop programming to achieve Regional Objectives. Design and implement programming that will strengthen the capacity of local institutions.
• Monitor and report progress on Regional Objectives. Ensure compliance by CWS staff and partners in the region with CWS monitoring and evaluation protocols.
• Oversee and support the opening/closing of Country and/or Project Offices in the region as required.
• Facilitate linkages among Country Offices in the region, with an emphasis on program learning and capturing best practices and lessons learnt.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant external strategic planning reports published by national governments, bilateral and multilateral agencies.
• Inform CC counterparts on emerging issues and trends and make recommendations for CWS engagement/response.
• Provide program/project information to CC based upon agreed upon specifications.
• Ensure donor program objectives and reporting requirements are met in a timely manner.
• Promote increased coordination and communication within each office in the Region.

Human Resources

• Maintain a clear organizational structure and ensure the Regional Office is adequately staffed to carry out planned activities.
• Work with HR and management structure to ensure to ensure the development and implementation of appropriate talent management initiatives.
• Take all reasonable and prudent steps to ensure the safety and security of CWS staff in the Region.
• Provide programmatic and managerial leadership and support to Regional Office staff.
• Coach staff directly reporting to the Regional Representative

Financial Management

• Oversee the preparation of annual budget for approval by Corporate Center and monitor spending to ensure adherence to budget parameters.
• Ensure that financial systems are maintained in compliance with International Procedures & Standards, CWS CC guidelines and donor requirements.
• Provide financial reports and information to CC as required.

Resource Development and Program Interpretation

• Collaborate with the CC staff to create and implement resource development strategies.
• Identify and actively pursue funding opportunities that are consonant with the agency goals and identity.
• As appropriate, form collaborative relationships to secure funding.
• Actively engage in fundraising, including proposal writing.
• Host delegations, constituent trips, and donor and denominational visits.

Liaison with CC

• Serve as a focal point for all CWS work in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Provide information and recommendations to CC on matters related to CWS operations and programming and contribute to effective two way communication.
• Participate in meetings convened by CC.

Other

• As necessary, travel to locations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa to visit project sites and to nurture relationships with partners.
• Implement and support all CC guidelines, protocols, and procedures relevant to responsibilities.
• Implement and support ACT Alliance code of conduct and humanitarian charters.
• Ensure that leased/owned property and equipment are properly utilized, maintained, and secured.
• Ensure that information technology is used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of CWS work across the region.
• When appropriate assist ACT Alliance and colleague agencies in programming in the region.
• Perform other duties and activities as deemed necessary.

Qualifications:

Education

• A Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years experience in a senior leadership/management role in a global not-for-profit setting with responsibility for managing managers located in multiple countries.
• Experience in designing and managing development programs and relief operations; strong experience and understanding of developing and deploying a wide variety of engagement models to address refugee situations.
• Experience and solid knowledge of US refugee resettlement program.
• Thorough understanding of the Africa context including the issues and challenges in the region.
• Proven accountability and experience working in a matrix management environment.

****Skills:****

• Strong leadership and strategic management skills:
• Must share CWS’ vision, mission, and values; must be motivated to do the type of work CWS is engaged in because their faith/values tell them that the conditions of poverty, hunger, climate change, etc. should not exist and this work will have a direct impact on ending those conditions.
• S/he must consistently display integrity, model collaborative behavior, develop people, and build teams.
• Ability to work through secondary managers to identify, supervise, develop, and retain a diverse and expert pool of staff who will possess the technical skills required for the various programmatic initiatives.
• Ability to create a culture that brings out the best in people using the tools of well accepted management practices.
• Ability to think critically and strategically and translate broad goals into achievable outcomes within Africa and the African context.
• Comfortable with managing start up environments, change, and transition, and how to inspire, influence, and enable others in these types of environments.
• Comfortable with and effective at working in situations of great ambiguity, particularly where the academic/intellectual experiences of one’s faith, values and upbringing come in contact with the reality on the ground.
• Skills in fundraising and donor management:
• Proven record of winning proposals and securing funding from a variety of sources (e.g. governments, institutional, foundations).
• Ability to build or tap into existing networks and cultivate diverse sources of funding both inside and outside of Africa.
• Proven record of successfully managing multimillion dollar grants.
• Skill at navigating the grant application process and politics of the US Department of State, US Department of Homeland Security, USAID, EU, foundations and other bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Relationship building and interpersonal skills:
• Respect for other spiritual traditions, both inside and outside of Christianity, and the ability to find the common purpose and values to enable effective collaboration. Including the ability and willingness to engage with church member organizations that have different agendas, theological interpretations of social issues and approaches to serving others and finding common ground to work together.
• Able to work within highly bureaucratic, political or complex denominational or ecumenical organizations, other non-profit or humanitarian organizations, funding and government agencies.
• Able to develop and nurture relationships with key partners and constituencies. Ability to negotiate with integrity and sensitivity.
• Must enjoy working collaboratively, not only in Africa but on a global scale, designing programs that can be scaled or replicated regionally or globally, sharing best practices and technical staff resources, etc.
• Communication skills:
• Ability to articulate CWS’ mission, vision, values to a wide variety of audiences in ways that resonate across cultures, perspectives and spiritual traditions.
• Skilled at making presentations to large and diverse groups.
• Must have transparent communication and the ability to keep CWS executive and senior leadership fully informed on the condition of CWS in the region.

HOW TO APPLY:

To Apply:Please visit the link below to apply directly online to this position.

http://cws.applicantstack.com/x/apply/a2h9xbovwpdx

Please note that CWS does not accept resumes for positions that are not posted. All applicants are required to submit their resume using the on-line applicant tracking system.

Communications
CWS uses Applicant Stack for all communications, please be sure to check your e-mail frequently and please check your junk/spam folder. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, only those individuals shortlisted will be contacted.