Management Advisor in Antigua, Guatemala

Niños de Guatemala is a small but fast-growing player in the development field, in Guatemala specifically. In order to lead and drive this growth, Niños de Guatemala (NDG) is looking for a Management Advisor to lead its organization in Guatemala. The Management Advisor functions at a leadership level, where he / she advises, leads, coaches, initiates and gives direction to NDG Guatemala.

The organization consists of three units: the overhead unit (which is responsible for the coordination, finances, HR and accountability of the entire organization), the education unit (consisting of two primary schools, a social work department and a community center), and the business unit (responsible for (i) generating local income and (ii) volunteer management). The Management Advisor will be in charge of the overhead unit and will report to the General Manager. The Management Advisor will also work closely with the Operations Managers of the respective units in driving the professionalization and growth at their units.

In his / her role, the Management Advisor is part of the Executive Board (Junta Ejecutiva) of NDG Guatemala, which is responsible for the overall management, decision-making, future growth and consolidation of current activities. The Executive Board builds NDG Guatemala´s independence, based on a professional, future-minded and semi-commercial profit-for-non-profit basis. The Executive Board consists of a group of young, proactive people, who are eager to make a difference.

The Management Advisor will hold responsibility over the activities of the overhead unit which are crucial to the growth of NDG, including accountability (control, reporting, planning), driving professionalization and leading change. These are crucial efforts in order to take the organization to the next level of professionalism and to anticipate the future growth of the organization.

Job description

• Guiding and stimulating the course of the organization with respect to (1) the overall strategy, (2) the long-term goals and (3) the culture, identity and values of NDG;
• Executing and keeping the overview of all NDG Guatemala's activities in the overhead area, including HR, finance, legal and office management; holding responsibility for sound business processes, transparency and simplicity;
• Leading Human Resources. HR is a key focus in NDG´s strategy to grow independence, invest in staff and be an example employer. The Management Advisor will oversee administration, drive capacity building of local staff, grow retention, develop policies and lay out the future HR strategy. In addition, he / she will take charge of the recruitment and selection of new staff;
• Holding responsibility for financial soundness and accountability in cooperation with the external accountant.
• Being responsible for the evaluation and implementation of systems, policies and processes in all areas, while constantly focusing on professionalism and structural growth, including responsibility for legal accountability and legal structure;
• Being part of the Executive Board, participating in managerial decision-making.
• Working closely together with the members of the Junta Ejecutiva, supervising the Finance and Administration Coordinator and cooperating with other staff where applicable.

We are looking for:

• A (young) professional with management experience (preferably in a for-profit context) in the field of organizational development, commercial (project) management and/or HRM.
• With an academic background in the sphere of business, management, law, economics or social sciences.
• A self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, willing to make a difference and willing to put a lot (of effort and energy) into the organization.
• With adaptive management skills; intercultural, human oriented communication.
• Affinity with Niños de Guatemala and its goals and missions.
• A minimum of 6 months availability (12 months preferred) for fulltime activities in Guatemala, starting 1 May 2012
• In control of English and Spanish language skills.

We offer:

• The chance to really make a difference by contributing directly to better education in Guatemala;
• The possibility to play a leading role in the organizational shaping of a young and dynamic organization, building up structures and policies for effective business as well as development in years to come;
• A central position in a growing foundation with an entrepreneurial and proactive approach, a foundation which is mentioned as an ‘example project’ in the Netherlands by Wilde Ganzen and NCDO – yearly budget: about 300.000 euro’s;
• A modest salary, which will be sufficient for a comfortable way of living in Guatemala.

How to apply

Are you looking to use your professional skills and experience in a highly rewarding context where you can give and get something back? Are you ready for a different challenge in order to make a difference? Interested and qualified candidates are invited to send a CV and a letter of motivation before 18 March 2012 to hr@ninosdeguatemala.org.

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Niños de Guatemala (NDG) consist of a Guatemalan NGO (NDG Guatemala) and a Dutch foundation (NDG NL) who operate together to work on a better future for the inhabitants of Guatemala. According to the philosophy of NDG, this future can only be achieved by education and entrepreneurship. Central in the projects are the commitment and evolvement of the local community, especially those of the children and the adolescents (for more information, please check: www.ninosdeguatemala.org). Organizationally, NDG is headed by a General Board, which is amongst others responsible for the management teams in Guatemala and the Netherlands.

NDG Guatemala consists of a mix of driven, committed and creative Guatemalan and foreign people who dedicate their energy to a healthy future for Guatemala. NDG Guatemala initiates, guides, and supports local projects in a professional way to make them independent, lasting and successful. These charitable projects are supported by entrepreneurial, semi-commercial (profit-for-non-profit) activities.

NDG the Netherlands supports NDG Guatemala from The Netherlands, both on a financial and organizational level. NDG NL brings in funds and volunteers to assist NDG Guatemala. NDG NL is a non-profit organization, its Daily Board, committees and staff members work on a voluntary basis. They are motivated to contribute to international cooperation on a small-scale level.