SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE VP INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS

CARE is seeking an experienced Special Assistant to support the Vice President for International Programs and Operations (VP-IPO) in the execution of all aspects of the Department's mandate.

S/he will coordinate and facilitate the IPO Department’s Global Annual Operating Plan (AOP) processes (including the RMUs and COs) and the IPO Department’s overall budgeting (including RMUs and COs). S/he will be the focal-point at HQ for monitoring overall audit compliance, and coordinating contract/cooperative agreement management with DCAU, RMUs and COs within IPO.

S/he will provide regular analysis of various data to inform the VP-IPO, provide advice, assistance and make recommendations to the VP-IPO on Financial Analysis, Compliance and Performance Monitoring as well as other Operational issues. S/he will act as the key IPO trouble-shooter and problem-solver on tactical issues that arise at HQ.

S/he will assist the VP-IPO with the execution of duties related to leading CARE’s Regional and Country programs in coordination with the RMUs and COs. S/he will act as the point person and trouble shooter at HQ for the DRDs-Program Support and convene this group periodically. S/he will support RMUs on the implementation and reporting of global initiatives and participate in selected working groups representing the RMUs’ and COs’ perspectives.

S/he will design and operationalise support systems and processes to advance the change processes in the IPO department and provide day-to-day staff support to the Department and VP-IPO on a wide range of issues. S/he will also drive continuous improvement by working with various staff across the organization to identify and implement solutions that help the IPO, other Departments, RMUs and COs operate more effectively, efficiently and seamlessly.

S/he will become knowledgeable about the issues facing the IPO department and conversant with all the various constituents both internal and external to the organization, represent IPO issues, and be a champion for IPO across CARE. S/he will represent the VP-IPO in EMT and other meetings and forums when the VP-IPO is not present.

S/he will develop systems to facilitate two-way communications between and within staff in COs, RMUs and at HQ and develop knowledge management solutions that will help RMUs and COs with fund-raising, implementation of programs and continuous improvement of program quality.

S/he will support integration with CARE International, support organizational change and work towards achieving the CARE 2020 Vision. S/he will take up other duties and tasks as assigned by the VP-IPO.

For this position, integrity is indispensable. The candidate must act with honesty and adhere to the highest standards of moral and ethical values and principles through their personal and professional behavior. S/he must demonstrate understanding of these values and principles and uphold them in every action and decision. Trust and trustworthiness go hand in hand with how s/he conducts her/himself and respects the sensitivities to which s/he has access. S/he must accept these responsibilities, share leadership through behavior and develop the highest standard of trust. S/he must hold her/himself accountable for her/his words and actions.

Responsibilities:

• Support the VP-IPO
• Communications/Information and Knowledge Management
• CARE International Integration, Organisational Evolution and CARE 2020
• Other duties and tasks as assigned

Required:

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field
• 5+ years of progressively professional experience in managing projects that produce major change within an organization and require significant reliance on relationships throughout the organization
• 5+ years of experience with systems analysis, business process mapping, operations, and organizational design
• Proven success in a role requiring influencing change without line management responsibility
• Building collaboration across and working with multi-sectoral and multi-cultural teams to drive results
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Partnership brokering, coordination, facilitation and strong inter-personal skills
• Strong analytical, processes- and systems-orientation.
• Demonstrated competence and experience in finance, administration and contract management
• Detail-oriented
• Multi-tasking skills
• Initiative and self-starter
• Critical thinking and logical reasoning
• Problem-solving and lateral thinking skills
• Appreciates and comfortable with complexity and complex tasks
• Appreciates and comfortable with dealing with diversity in all its various aspects
• Project & contract/cooperative agreement management
• Planning and budgeting
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Critical thinking and logical reasoning
• Process- and systems-oriented
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and produce results in a timely manner
• Advanced MS Office capabilities (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desired:

• Advanced degree in International Development, International Administration and/or Management, Business Administration, Finance or related field. Qualifications in Accounting or Financial Management.
• Knowledge of CARE’s mission and operation
• Good working relationships with a diverse group of CARE stakeholders
• Understanding of International NGO operating environment
• Experience in large, complex organizations
• Awareness of complex challenges COs face in implementing programs
• Fluency in a 2^nd language

Application Deadline: January 20, 2012

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE VP INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS