ChildFund recherche un(e) Directeur(trice) Régional(e) Adjoint(e) pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest, Dakar, Sénégal
About ChildFund
ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.
ChildFund’s Values
ChildFund values a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.
ChildFund’s Commitment
ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed.
About This Role
The Deputy Regional Director (DRD) will support the Regional Director in leading ChildFund’s humanitarian programs in Africa, with a focus in the Sahel region. The DRD is accountable for ensuring the expansion of ChildFund’s footprint into new territories in the Sahel, overseeing ChildFund’s engagement and programming in response to humanitarian crises. In addition, the DRD will engage with regional INGO, UN, and donor representatives to position ChildFund in regional initiatives and to further ChildFund’s strategic goals. The DRD will be actively engaged in business development. The DRD represents ChildFund in the assigned region in relevant regional institutions, organizations, and networks. As a member of the organizational leadership team, the DRD will contribute to organization strategy, operational plans, and stakeholder relationships.
To be eligible, candidates must have current residence and work authorization in Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, or The Gambia. English and French fluency is required. Ability to travel regionally and internationally is required. Please note that pay is in local currency.
Please submit application materials in English to be considered.
Required Experience and Education
- A university degree is required; a master’s degree in international development, business administration/management, or related fields is strongly preferred.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis or emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other relevant areas.
- Experience working on humanitarian coordination in a senior management role.
- Extensive experience living and working in the international development community, including experience in the Africa region.
- Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is preferred.
- Demonstrated strong track record with fundraising, resource mobilization, and grants management.
- Experience with child sponsorship is advantageous.
Primary Responsibilities
Development of Humanitarian Program in the Sahel Region (approximately 40%):
- Work closely with the Regional Director to develop a humanitarian response program in the Sahel Region.
- Support Country Directors with humanitarian programming in countries where ChildFund already has a presence.
- Lead the implementation of coherent humanitarian/disaster response strategies in line with ChildFund’s strategy.
- In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and country teams, develop effective and efficient new operating models to expand ChildFund’s footprint to new geographic areas and populations in the Sahel through the ChildFund Alliance members and other partners.
Resource Mobilization and Partnerships (40%):
- Provide focused business development support to country programs, building country capacity to win multi-year and high value grants.
- Make go/no-go decisions regarding pursuit of regional funding opportunities. In coordination with Country Directors, engage in strong regional-level representation with governments, donors, and international and local NGOs.
- Ensure the timely submission of competitive, responsive, and high-quality proposals that align with country priorities identified in Strategy Action Plans and support country program colleagues in negotiations with donors.
- Participate in shaping policy positions and advocacy messages pertaining to the overall humanitarian situation and ChildFund’s response.
- Advise country programs in networking and alliance-building activities.
Strategic Leadership and Coordination:
- Lead ChildFund to become responsive to emerging humanitarian issues in the Sahel/Africa.
- Oversee the process to identify and monitor the regional humanitarian environment against key indicators and provide regular updates to the regional leadership team and country leadership teams.
- Upon delegation by the Regional Director, represent ChildFund in humanitarian meetings and workshops at the regional level, ensuring collaboration with other humanitarian agencies, the UN, etc.; coordinate information sharing on current and emerging humanitarian methodologies, approaches, techniques, and policies.
- Act as a focal point for emergency-related crisis analysis in the Region.
- Collaborate with the technical advisors and provide thought leadership and support to increase ChildFund work at the nexus of child development with conflicts, climate change, and economic opportunity.
Safety and Security:
- Enable the safe conduct of ChildFund operations by fostering a culture of safety, security, and well-being for ChildFund team members, premises, and assets in each Country Office and the region.
- Continuously monitor safety and security risks in the region, identify and execute risk mitigation actions, and work closely with Country Directors to assure an immediate and adequate response to safety and security issues.
Child Protection and Safeguarding:
- Uphold an organizational culture and work environment in which staff fully understand and apply child safeguarding standards and to protect children from violence, abuse and neglect. Ensure adequate reporting, investigation, decision-making and implementation of appropriate actions in case of violations in child safeguarding standards by staff or partner organizations.
- Develop regional and sub-regional plans to protect children in severe conditions and address related risks (trafficking, displacement, migration, modern slavery, child labor).
- Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the ChildFund Safeguarding Policy.
Required Competencies
- The ability to speak, read, and write fluently in French and English.
- Strong commitment to child development and protection.
- Knowledge of international child rights conventions and systems.
- Familiarity with community development approaches and working with local partner organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships across diverse cultures and deal with difficult subject matter with diplomacy and sensitivity.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage large multi-cultural teams across countries and time zones.
- Demonstrated knowledge of grants management and donor requirements, particularly USAID, EU, UN and other bi-lateral donors.
- Willingness and ability to travel regionally and internationally and work in difficult environments, including emergency response.
