Executive Director, Venezuela At Project HOPE

The Executive Director will lead Proyecto Esperanza’s Operations, Finance, Compliance, HR, MEAL and Program teams (Health, WASH, Protection) and as such plays a key role in maintaining a strategic vision for the Organization, maintaining constructive relationships both inside and outside of the organization and ensuring overall program quality and impact. They will report to the Proyecto Esperanza Board of Directors, and will be a member of the Steering Committee and the Senior Management Team and will supervise 100+ staff belonging to 14 Departments.

They will be responsible to:

• Lead the Organization by maintaining open and professional relations with colleagues, promoting a strong team spirit and providing guidance, oversight and resources to enable staff to perform successfully.
• Develop, oversee and maintain a cohesive strategic vision for the Organization, including projects, programs and field l teams and the broader strategy as approved by the Board of Directors. .
• Represent Proyecto Esperanza at coordination meetings as appropriate.
• Support the strengthening and development of the M&E, program and operations’ strategies and their successful roll out.
• Establish and strengthen productive relationships with relevant organizations and networks, technical experts, government, and partner agencies as required.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership to the Operations, Finance and Program teams, ensuring that priorities and opportunities identified are in line with and contribute to achievement of the Organization’s objectives.
• Ensure that the Organization’s program portfolio and implementation plan is up to date and that the Programs team is on track to meet programmatic objectives in line with Operations, Program and Finance goals.
• Provide guidance to Programs, Grants and M&E teams regarding tools and strategies to ensure that programs consider input from communities, a thorough understanding of the operational context, and the application of technical best practices.
• Work with to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive, responsive proposals that meet internal standards and respond to needs.
• Provide leadership support to in-country grants and projects team and collaborate closely with the Finance Team to develop evidenced based and cost-effective funding applications.
• Provide leadership and supervision to the Director of Operations and work closely with the Procurement, Logistics and Regions teams to ensure supply chain management systems are functional, up to date and in place to support programs and strategic growth.
• Provide leadership and supervision to Director of Finance and work closely with administration and human resources teams to guarantee adequate administration of resources to support Operations and Program implementation in compliance with national law, Organizational and Donor policies.
• Remain attune to funding trends in the country and provide regular updates on these trends and analyses to the Board of Directors and LAC Regional Team.
• Provide leadership and supervisory management for programs, including mobilization and stewardship of resources, program quality and accountability, and performance management.
• Participate actively in Organizational program management, coordination, and strategy meetings with other members of the senior management team.
• In close coordination with relevant Proyecto Esperanza departments, oversee organizational partnerships across all outcome areas and actors including Local Organizations, CSOs and Government where appropriate.
• Ensure Program managers develop, adapt, and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems in close collaboration with the M&E unit to demonstrate program effectiveness and quality.
• Work with the Program, Operations and Finance teams to ensure appropriate and timely grant spending to achieve program goals, including procurement, use and distribution of supplies and resources in line with donor rules and regulations.
• Supervise and mentor direct report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives in close consultation with department heads, establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented performance reviews.
• Work closely with team members to promote strong teamwork and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to perform in their roles.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being adhering to Proyecto Esperanza Duty of Care policies. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Work with the Steering Committee and Senior Management Team to ensure that the Operations, Finance and Program teams are actively engaged in trouble-shooting and decision-making processes.
• Maintain open communications with Regional LAC Team members.
• Support Accountability, Compliance and Ethics Department and its initiatives and activities in all program implementation strategies.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• 6 direct reports overseeing a total of 120+ staff across 14 Departments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience managing complex humanitarian programming. Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.
• Undergraduate degree in Public Health or related field, required; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong familiarity with core programming areas, including Health, WASH and Protection.
• Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary/multi-cultural team.
• Excellent coordination and negotiation skills are critical, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies.
• Proven record of accomplishment of leading multi-location teams.
• Extensive experience providing oversight for a program portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively in English and Spanish with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Extensive representation and fundraising success in the LAC region, including prior experience establishing relationships with international donors.
• Capacity to cope with ambiguity and stressful work environments.
• Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes.

Professional Standards
Proyecto Esperanza staff must adhere to the values and principles established by its policies and procedures. These include standards for professional conduct—including policies on Donor Compliance, Accountability to Affected Populations, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity and Responsibility, and Anti-Retaliation.