Partnership Development, Fundraising and Communications Director

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

Why we need you?

We are looking for Partnership Development, Fundraising and Communications Director who is responsible in conceptualizing, developing and implementing partnership, communications and fund development strategies that effectively contribute towards the organization’s mission. The position holder pursues opportunities to cover the National Association’s (NA) running costs and investments from private, corporate and public sector donations in order to establish and increase the financial self-sufficiency of the NA. 

What we provide?

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

While working with us a Partnership Development, Fundraising and Communications Director you will be in charge of the following,

Partnership Development

• Identifies potential partner organizations for SOS CVE in the area of work where she/he will be responsible for effective implementation of interventions.
• Establish and manage a network of strategic partnerships and relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure enduring business associations to assist in achieving strategic objectives.
• Cooperates with the National IPD Advisors, DND, Location Program Directors and Managers in building strong links and cooperation with national government and local authorities, as well as other stakeholders to enhance programme implementation.
• Joins relevant networks, forums, platforms, campaigns, working groups and advocates on behalf of the organization for the promotion of children’s rights, youth employment and disability programs implementations in the organization.
• Make sure that the organization partner with companies, foundations and major donors that do not act in contradiction to the interests of children and the brand of the organization.
• Follow up the implementation of partnerships as per the agreements signed
  
• Advises National Director, National Management team and others on identifying, prioritizing, partnering with stakeholders
• Regularly reports on implementation of partnership strategies to National Director and her/his counterpart in IOR.
• Drive the development and implementation of partnership strategies in the Member Associations and ensure support in the development and monitoring of partnership activities.
• Promotes long-term stability and financial self-sufficiency by pursuing support from government and private sources with the aim to maximise the fundraising potential
• Supports public relations/marketing activities as necessary and ensures that an appropriate image of the organisation is portrayed;
• Develops and maintains contacts, exchanges information and develops partnerships with key stakeholders of the child welfare sector (state, NGOs, INGOs and GOs)
• Make sure that requirements from stakeholders (gov’t, donors, etc.) are met during the actual implementation.
  

Fund Development

• Drive the development and implementation of fundraising strategies in the Member Association and ensure support in the development and monitoring of fundraising investment applications.
• Promotes long-term stability and financial self-sufficiency by pursuing support from government and private sources with the aim to maximise the fundraising potential
• Supports the development and implementation of sustainable fundraising strategies and grant applications.
• Supports public relations/marketing activities as necessary and ensures that an appropriate image of the organisation is portrayed;
• Enable support in the area of digital fundraising (e.g. technical setup, expert advice, tools)
• Analyse and interpret impact on funding partners and provide strategic input into optimising the link between funding and programmes.
• Lead and direct the proactive fund development and understanding of best practices and trends and provide insight and guidance to SOS Leadership.
• Conduct research and analyse trends to conceptualise and formulate innovative ideas and identify new opportunities for the fund development.
• Define, implement and fulfil the Fund development strategy reflected in the National Strategic Plan and prioritise organisation wide efforts to the implementation
• Effectively manages the Fund development department to increase funding and sponsorship opportunities by providing strategic direction, 

Communication

• Lead the development of national communications strategy;
• Ensures that the National Association has clear and measurable goals for the communication that are in line with the initiatives of the international and national strategic plan;
• Establishes sound relationships with relevant government authorities, ensures appropriate representation of the organisation’s views and seeks government recognition and support for SOS Children’s Villages work
• Ensure application of the internationally agreed brand development concept in national strategy, planning and implementation;
• Live the brand and the mission and make it come alive and lead toward adding value to the core vision of SOS Children’s Villages by building, continuously improving and maintaining an efficient internal and external information and communication networks
• Ensure coherent messaging and branding, aligned position statements and drive capacity building in the NA in the area of external communication (incl. Crisis Communication)
• Pursues advocacy objectives in child safeguarding forums and in partnership with other NGOs, GOs and other relevant stakeholders joining together to bring our mission for children and young people to life.
• Monitors national activities (of the state and of key NGOs) and planned future developments in the social welfare sector, protection of child’s rights as well as gaps in child rights fulfilment by the state.

Human Resources Development

• Providing strong leadership and direction to team and communicating vision and values to team.
• Set medium to long term goals and objectives for subordinates and actively monitor progress of the achievement of objectives.
• Develop and maintain a high performance team, and regularly evaluate performance of subordinates to ensure functional objectives are met or exceeded according to established policies and objectives.
• Assure stable employee relations by managing conflict and creating a positive working environment.
• Oversee the implementation; drive and management of all people development initiatives to ensure team performance meet required standards.
• Ensure work ethics is of such a nature that employees continuously strive towards improving their own performance.
• Act as expert and provide sound advice and guidance to team members.
• Ensure that the company culture is maintained and that employees live the values of the NA.
• Understand and apply legal obligations to behaviours and performance of self and others in the NA.
• Ensure compliance to all governance principles, minimum standards and relevant legislation.
  

Safeguarding

• Ensuring that holistic safeguarding (Child and youth, adult and asset safeguarding) measures are in place within his/her area of managerial responsibility and that staff, associates and other key stakeholders are made aware of these measures and are supported in implementing them.
• Ensuring that safeguarding is integrated in all management processes including partnership, communication, fund development, recruitment, on boarding, performance management, team meetings, annual planning processes, field level monitoring, etc.
• Creating and maintaining a managerial and operational environment where the Safeguarding Policies are effectively implemented.
• Fulfilling specific and additional responsibilities in achieving compliance of SOS Children’s Villages policies.
• Ensure that best interest and do no harm principles are applied and considered.
   

Job Requirements

Up for the challenge...

Then check out our criteria’s:

Must Criteria

Education: Master’s Degree in business administrations, Economics, communications, marketing management, development studies, international relations, relevant social sciences and fields of humanities 

Experience:Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Social development, communications in non-governmental organization out of which 6 years in senior leadership positions leading cross functional teams. Experiences in working with the target group, i.e. vulnerable children, families and community

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Leadership experience that includes coaching staff to high levels of performance & perform effectively as a team & engaging in effective cross-cultural & cross-functional working to achieve shared goals.
• Strong knowledge of Development theory, policy and practice, with a good knowledge of technical sectors, Fundraising, advocacy & communications
• Experienced networker and spokesperson in different fora (DFID, Regional and National Offices, technical programmatic communities of practice, media
• Linking local level advocacy through to national as a credible voice to national audiences (government and multilaterals).
• Experience of Implementing and monitoring strategic and operational plans within a demanding environment
• Experience in project management, planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Good knowledge and understanding of children’s rights and rights-based approaches
• Essential: Good command of English, written and spoken
• Desirable: Good command of additional local languages
  

Lead and core competencies

Lead competency

• Role model: Act as a role model for the organization, living our values and inspiring and learning from others
• Collaboration: Remove barriers to participation, share decision making and build partnerships
• Empowerment: Promote inclusion and equitable sharing of power
• Strategic Thinking: Live the values and mission, setting realistic goals and translating them into actionable plans
  

Core competency

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes
• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act and adapt to change when necessary
• Results Orientation: prioritize safeguarding, look for solutions and focus on desired results
  

How to Apply

Excited to take on a new Challenge..

Then send us your application (application letter, detailed CV containing contact detail of there references) electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS)

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes.

SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.