Strategy and Programs Director At World Vision

Job Purpose

To Lead the design and implementation of World Vision International Sierra Leone’s Strategy and Programs in alignment with World Vision global strategy and country context and priorities, consolidating the Organisation as a preferential partner in Sierra Leone, focused on the wholistic wellbeing and resilience of children, families and communities.

This position ensures all programs and projects are implemented and managed effectively and contribute to, with evidences, to improving the lives of children in World Vision International Sierra Leone operational areas. It ensures that programs and projects meet stakeholders and participants’ accountability in line with World Vision’s policies and standards.

Major Responsibilities

Lead the design and realization of World Vision International Sierra Leone (WVISL) Strategy and the implementation of programs ensuring an effective contribution to the well-being of children, especially the most vulnerable, as well to WVISL Ministry sustainability.

• Report against the realization of 2021- 2025 Strategy of WVISL.
• Design the 2026 – 2030 Strategy of WVISL and get it approved by the stakeholders.
• Align ongoing and new Area Programs to the 2026-2030 Strategy goal, objectives and targets.
• Compliance with the Child Sponsorship standards established by World Vision International (WVI).
• Guaranteed implementation, monitoring of projects, programs and technical programmes regardless of the funding stream.
• Good stewardship of cash, in-kind resources and services ensured.
• Alliances with local, national and sub-regional strategic partners in place to leverage impact on children’s well-being and protection.
• Ensured timely implementation of recommendations and closure of Audit findings.
• Guaranteed the development and implementation of Disaster Management and Safeguarding policies and strategic plans.
• Emergency response ensured.
• Ensured timely and accurate reporting for accountability to children and their families, donors and other stakeholders based on evidence.
• Managed integration of projects and programmes of different funding streams (private, public, bilateral, multilateral).

Lead and strategically manage internal and external relationships with national, regional, global partners, donors, partners, sector technical networks, Support Offices, as part of ongoing dialogue, organizational development and accountability.

• Ensured accountability based on NO Strategy Scorecard and Strategic Objectives indicators.
• Represent the Organization (WVISL) with partners, donors, Support Offices, Regional and Global Offices and designated external spaces.
• Guaranteed the participation of each technical programme in technical networks, alliances, thematic groups, local, national and regional Technical Working Groups and Community of Practice.
• Create regular meetings with counterparts, partners, donors for the definition and monitoring of common agenda and monitoring of changes in the context.
• Actively engaged in virtual and face-to-face communities of practice at local, national, regional and global levels according to WVISL interest and areas of responsibility.
• Established external networks to support in-country programs.
• Champion WV engagements with Government of Sierra Leone MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) and with donors, promoting WV leadership when possible.
• Develop strategic networks enabling World Vision to leverage a collective voice in favor of children and families, communities and partners.
• Present the country’s information and progress in achieving Strategy objectives and targets
• Contribute to update and enhance WVISL capacity statements.
• Present updates on Strategy and Programming progress to WVISL Advisory Council on regular bases

Driving action for sustainability and evidence of impact.

• Evidence of impact of projects and programmes is generated through robust data management system(s) and processes.
• A culture of documenting Stories of significant change is promoted.
• Documentation of lessons learned in the implementation of programmes and projects
• Generated spaces for sharing and exchanging experiences with other partners internally and externally whiles potential partners and key donors are identified.
• In the spirit of twin citizenship, contribute to knowledge sharing and collaborative learning.
• Resource development proposals, research and learning papers, proof of concepts, innovations and projects proposals developed in collaboration with internal stakeholders and others external partners (Academia, Research Institutes, Think Tanks).
• Ensure that systems are in place for the management of equipment and local procurement activities in support to grant/project successful implementation.
• Assess and report on risks that the programs portfolio may experience, and ensure proper risk mitigation and management

Drive innovation and succession processes based on transformational and servant leadership model

• Generated spaces for innovation, learning and individual, team and organisational development.
• Oversee roll out of WVI strategic initiatives such as Sponsorship 3.0, “Our Impact and Our Story” and those that can contribute to WVISL strategic positioning internal and externally.
• Model Christ-Centred servant leadership and support spiritual development of her/his team.
• Implemented succession plans
• Implemented coaching processes that include the strengthening of technical and managerial skills, as well as the promotion of Christian ethical values. (See WV Manager Handbook as reference)
• Continuously support the professional development of his/her team at all levels by providing adequate mentoring, clear orientation, feedback and learning opportunities
• Generated spaces for leadership development in teams using the 70-20-10 approach.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Humanities or Social Sciences. but Master’s Degree in Social Project Management/ Master’s Degree in Local Development Management/ Master’s Degree in Programme and Project Management/Social Policies / Human Rights / Children’s Rights preferred.
• Strategic and Long-term vision
• Negotiation Skills
• Analytical and synthesis skills.
• Ability to partner and influence decision-making that positively impacts on children.
• Effective relations with different audiences.
• Capacity for innovation
• Ability to manage the Programme and Project Cycle
• Five years’ experience in similar positions
• Proficiency in Windows and Office computer package
• Leadership and people management
• Experience in emergency response, business continuity planning and crisis management.
• Experience in preparing proposals for development agencies.
• Strategic and systemic thinking.
• Ability to solve complex problems and to exercise independent judgment.
• Strategic and operational planning
• Project Design and evaluation.
• Fluency in English (oral and written).
• Experience working with developing countries, preferably in West Africa.
• Experience in risk management in high risk and sensitive environments.
• SRMT (security risk management training) or a UN equivalent
• Enterprise Risk Management Training.
• Visionary thinking and understanding of development and humanitarian operations in low to very low developing country contexts.
• Proven record of managing people in a diverse cross-cultural and interfaith settings and initiating and implementing organizational change in low developing contexts.
• Demonstration of well-developed interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Highly flexible and agile in style with the ability to produce creative and pragmatic solutions to complex development, relief and advocacy issues.
• Proven conceptual & analytical skills and systems thinking.
• Personal resilience in the face of complex and evolving contexts.
• Proven facilitation skills.
• Team player.
• Champions and manages innovation.
• Ensure a gender perspective in the scope of work.
• External engagement, internal engagement and networking skills.
• Experience in emergency response scenario planning process.
• Peer mentoring and coaching from a seasoned leader who has worked in these contexts long enough.

Work Environment:

• The position requires ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20**%** of the time.

Applicant Types Accepted:

International Applicants (IA’s) Accepted