Country Director, Palestine At Right To Play

Organization: Right To Play Palestine

Work location: Ramallah, Palestine (Palestinian nationals only)

Target Start Date: April 2022

Contract Duration: Long term engagement with an initial one-year contract

Closing Date: Open until position is filled

BACKGROUND:

Right To Play is a global organisation that protects, educates and empowers children to rise above adversity using play. By harnessing play, one of the most powerful and fundamental forces in a child’s life, we helped 2.3 million children last year to stay in school and out of work, to prevent life-threatening diseases like HIV and malaria and to stay safe from exploitation and abuse. We are the only global development organization focused exclusively on using play to transform the lives of children and youth impacted by poverty, war, disease and inequality.

Established in 2000, Right To Play reaches children through experiential programming in 15 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. These programs are supported by our headquarters in Toronto, Canada; London, UK and eight national offices across Europe (Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK) and North America (Canada, US).

With a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:

• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate
• Display Courage – Act with integrity
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another
• Be Playful – Have fun at work

Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do, and watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Country Director reports directly to the Global Director, Country Operations, providing high level oversight, strategic guidance and technical support to the Country Office. The ultimate goal of the position is to secure adequate funding to sustain operations, upscale and strategically strengthen and grow the organization’s programming, to increase the quality, efficiency and long term impact of the program; and to promote and advocate for sustained high level engagement of government and civil society while ensuring compliance and high-quality delivery.

The Country Director may travel to other countries of operation.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Job Responsibility #1: Organizational Development, Donor Stewardship and Fundraising (25% of Time):

• Increases the overall income of Right To Play (RTP) by securing new funding of projects through in-country and external funding initiatives
• Build strategic partnership donors and represents RTP to current or potential donors to secure and sustain funding, including government/institutional donors, corporate sector and foundations.
• Assesses potential partners and partnerships; secures and stewards local funding opportunities and builds the relationships on the grounds that are needed to support donor cultivation.
• Leads the process of donor mapping and alignment with donor priorities
• Leads proposal development for prioritized funding opportunities, facilitates participation by key team members to produce winning submissions.
• Leads the development of proposals for expansion of new programs and the continuation of existing ones through coordinated efforts with HQ Global Program Partnerships and National Offices.
• Builds strategic partnership with other organizations to be ready to join consortia for large projects when required
• Coordinates the development of new concept notes and innovative ideas for fundraising.
• Keeps abreast of the trends within the donor environment in country and internationally.

Job Responsibility #2: Leadership, Coordination, Communication and Representation (20% of Time):

• Represents RTP in strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contributes towards consolidating and raising the profile of RTP.
• Develops and strengthens relationships with local organisations and networks and establishes national strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society.
• Represents the organization in local media, promotes knowledge of RTP programs, mandates and values amongst all stakeholders, potential partners and general public.
• Articulates RTP strategic focus and drives impact in four key outcome areas; quality education, child protection, girls’ empowerment, health and well-being
• Facilitates donor visits, donor meetings, round table discussions and evaluations as necessary.
• Serves as the main local contact for all external stakeholders; develops and maintains links with relevant senior country representatives in donors, UN bodies, intergovernmental bodies, academia and other international NGOs.
• Promotes RTP organizational identity and capacity to all stakeholders and partners and ensures RTP remains relevant to the changing needs of disadvantaged people in the country.
• Ensures strong working relationships and collaborations with current and new partner organizations through regular correspondence, engagement, reporting and meetings.
• Supports preparation and hosting of strategic donor and RTP HQ visits and workshops.
• Ensures that Right To Play regularly has its local registration as an INGO renewed and updated to changes in local policies.

Job Responsibility #3: Program Strategy Development and Implementation (15% of Time):

• Develops the strategic vision and direction of the program(s) in line with the strategic direction of RTP.
• Develops and manages the portfolio of program activities of the country in line with RTP strategic country plans and region and global vision.
• Ensures accountability of RTP activities at all levels through efficient and transparent use of program resources.
• Develops concept papers and proposals as necessary for expansion of new and existing programs, taking into consideration local conditions, donor knowledge and existing talent.
• Keeps abreast of the social-economic and political changes in the environment and undertakes timely strategic review of the RTP program strategy ensuring continued relevance within the area of focus.
• Maintains close communication with Global Program Unit in relevant factors and changes in environment.
• Coordinates the production of timely quality programme reports in line with the RTP and donor requirements.
• Lead country level conversations around program quality, program accountability, partnerships, gender, and child protection.
• Provides leadership for the dissemination of ‘One Right To Play’ vision’, RTP’s Values, and Mission at the Country Level.

Job Responsibility #4: Program Financial Management, Quality and Reporting (5% of Time)

• Ensures that the financial management of the Country is accountable and transparent at every level, and that all staff are fully aware and able to comply with the Finance Policy.
• Provides oversight to all finance and administrative services in the Program.
• Oversees the country annual budget and monitors and verifies the program budgets in adherence to approved budgets and procedures.
• Ensures adequate mechanisms are in place for monthly & quarterly budget monitoring and reviews and minimizes significant expenditure variances
• Ensures monthly & quarterly financial monitoring systems provide timely and relevant reports to country staff, including analysis and tracking of grant commitments and obligations.
• Oversees the effective implementation and compliance with the overall Finance & guidance Manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreement.
• Ensures all program staff have an understanding of financial and internal control systems, budget and work in compliance with RTP Finance policies, authorization level policies, procedures.
• Oversees the collation and timely submission of key technical, baseline, project evaluation, donor and other monitoring and evaluation related reports to donors, Global Program Unit and HQ as required.
• Oversees annual and project-specific audit processes within the Programs.
• Ensures that learning is regularly generated within all projects, documented and shared.
• Ensures all monthly, quarterly finance reports are accurate and submitted in timely manner.

Job Responsibility #5: People and Culture, Human Resources Management, Capacity Building and Compliance (15% of Time)

• Leads the development delivery of RTP Country Strategy so that Country staff are living the organization’s values and achieving the vision, mission and objective
• Develops and maintain RTP culture of learning and reflection leading to changes in program delivery
• Ensures internal employee wellbeing is reviewed and supported throughout all RTP work and activities. Create space and time to explore and develop the wellbeing and team dynamic of direct line reports and lead by example in focusing on staff wellbeing for all employees in the country.
• Oversees overall country P&C management processes providing advice on the management of all staff to ensure that it’s carried out within RTP stated policies, practices and procedures as well as the country employment laws. Ensures that staff hire aims to high quality standards in terms of competencies, experience and character in order to drive the organization to excellence.
• Provides advice on the interpretation of policies, regulations and rules and supports the senior team in explaining rights and responsibilities to the staff.
• Coordinates regular reviews and updates of the country specific HR policies and procedures and ensures compliance with the overall HR manual and the national labour laws.
• Oversees and monitors efficiency and fairness of recruitment processes following the set RTP guidelines in coordination with the Regional and HQ office.
• Ensures all employees receive the appropriate orientation and understand the RTP structure, policies, processes and systems and the work required from them.
• Oversees the mentoring and training of staff to ensure that they have the appropriate skill levels for their positions and are developing to their full capacity.
• Ensures adequate implementation of the Performance Management System including performance work planning, reviews, appraisals and staff development.
• Leads, coaches and develops the senior team, ensures they are equipped with the required expertise at country level such as programmes, policy, advocacy and finance.
• Oversees staff compensation in line with approved budget and RTP compensation policy and approves the monthly payroll.
• Ensures that the country Senior Management Team is effective, mutually supporting and efficiently involved in decision making.
• Manages the exit of employees and ensures that information gathered during exit interviews are used for improvement.
• Responds to legal claims or investigations, seeking legal advice as appropriate.

Job Responsibility #6: Security, safety and welfare (5% of Time)

• Carries out risk, vulnerability and threat assessments as well as physical security assessments of all sites making prioritized recommendations for improvement through the Standard Operational Procedures and contingency plans,
• Liaises with local and regional officials, UN, NGO and other agencies regarding security issues in the planning, coordination, promotion of, and support for existing RTP projects.
• Ensures that Child Safeguarding and gender are integrated into all program and organizational risk assessments and budget and quality mitigation strategies are put in place.
• Ensures that staff, coaches, leaders and volunteers are aware of the Child Safeguarding and Gender Polices, receive adequate training, sign the Attestation of Commitment to Child Safeguarding Form and RTP Code of Conduct, and act in compliance with this policy.

Job Responsibility #7: Other Tasks as Assigned (5% of Time)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Must have):

EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION:

• University s degree in business administration, social sciences, development studies or other related discipline.

EXPERIENCE:

• 12 years of experience in a leadership role within a large or international organization working on strategic planning, quality improvement, project planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, human resources and financial management.

COMPETENCIES/PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Strategic planning skills
• Leadership, influencing and managerial skills
• Ability to gain trust and secure donor funding
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with staff, partners, government officials, donors and community leaders
• Creativity and problem solving skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Superior organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Ability to work under pressure meeting deadlines

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Proven knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• Proven knowledge of budgetary control and financial management, including ability to read and understand financial data.
• Proven experience in proposal development and report writing
• Demonstrated computer skills especially in MS Office packages
• Understanding of country laws and regulations

LANGUAGES:

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (An Asset)

• Master’s degree in business administration, social sciences, development studies or other related discipline.
• Strong understanding of financial analysis
• Education, Child Protection, Sport and play industry experience
• Significant experience with a child-focused organization

WHO YOU ARE:

You are highly driven, results-oriented, collaborative and well-rounded leader with a passion for working with

children and youth. You are an exceptional communicator with excellent networking skills.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

The opportunity to work with a passionate, innovative and collaborative team where you have the ability to make things happen. You will gain experience working for a globally recognized organization with a healthy culture premised on our Culture Code (accept everyone, make things happen, display courage, demonstrate care and be playful). In addition, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package including personal learning and development days.