Country Director – China Reports to: Director, Program Development About A Child’s Right:
A Child’s Right (ACR) is a charitable organization founded in 2006, based in Seattle, Washington USA. Our mission is to change the lives of vulnerable children in impoverished urban areas by providing clean, safe drinking water to orphanages, street shelters, rescue homes, schools, and children’s hospitals. In five years we have brought, and continue to provide, safe drinking water to over 250,000 children in cities around the world. To learn more about our organization please visit www.achildsright.org. ACR has been active in China since 2007 and currently has 447 water purification systems installed at orphanages and schools. Two full-time employees, currently based in Langfang, Heibei Province, with supervision from the US office, manage operations in China. In 2013 ACR will be completing a major, five-year project to provide water purification equipment to every government orphanage in China. As we seek to expand our reach beyond orphanages we recognize that we need to also expand our leadership capabilities for all present, as well as future, operations in China. Position Overview:
The Country Director – China will be responsible for managing all aspects of ACR’s work in China. The Country Director will direct and supervise programs focusing on water treatment and hygiene education for children living in China. A significant amount of time will be spent at individual project sites, meeting with school and orphanage directors and other partner site staff. It will also be necessary to work with the appropriate Chinese government officials and local representatives to obtain all necessary legal permissions. The Country Director will ensure that the mission and objectives of ACR are carried out in harmony with the organization’s global mission and ethical values. The position of Country Director is critical and will carry significant status within the organization. A tremendous amount of independent planning, preparation, and execution is required for the successful fulfillment of this position. Required Qualifications:
• Excellent writing and communications skills in both English and Mandarin Chinese
• Minimum of 5 years work history in related NGO or business sector positions
• Strong staff management and team-building skills
• Minimum of two years of financial management experience including overseeing financial and reporting procedures
• Dedication to supporting the needs and potential of children in China Desired Qualifications:
• University degree in management, development, engineering, or environment
• Extensive knowledge of the water, sanitation, and hygiene situation in China, specifically in the urban context
• Proven experience working in an NGO environment
• Prior experience providing direct technical assistance and training to a diverse team of technicians, educators, and other specialists
• Proven ability to work within a remote reporting environment
• Proven ability to be creative and to be able to “sell” ideas successfully
• Valid drivers’ license and ability to drive to partner site locations Responsibilities: Country Operations Oversight (60%)
• Manage the performance of staff against the mission and objectives of ACR as well as against individual job descriptions, providing staff assessment reviews at least bi-annually
• Create and manage goals, budgets and operational procedures within the parameters of country-specific objectives
• Identify and approve potential new partner organizations and sites suitable for water project installations and hygiene education programs
• Ensure that all sites receive timely and appropriate follow-up, reminders, and re-training so that their expectations are being met,
and so that the donors’ expectations are being met as well
• Ensure that all data, photos, monitoring results, and other required information are communicated to ACR for inclusion into the public database, Proving It
• Manage the hiring process for any new staff, with final authorization by the US office
• Prepare quarterly reports of China activities for inclusion in the report submitted to the Board of Directors
• Maintain regular written and phone conversation with US staff
• Oversee the construction and preparation process for installation of water equipment and water stations
• Manage the process of equipment shipping, customs clearance, and storage
• Host ACR staff and donors on visits to China
• Keep detailed financial records of expenditures and submit monthly reports to US staff
• Learn all necessary fundamental knowledge regarding the water and hygiene programs of ACR
• Provide technical expertise to program staff and ensure that all staff are fully trained and confident in the technologies used by ACR
• Maintain familiarity with local and national water standards, and share any changes or concerns with US staff
• Assist in the delicate balance of moving sites to self-sufficiency with regard to providing for water system spare parts once the original service agreement has reached its end Relationship Building (30%)
• Build and maintain high-trust and close relationships with all partner organizations and partner sites
• Conduct regular meetings with government officials and other decision-makers in the agencies with which ACR works, or is anticipating working with
• Participate in weekly meetings with Director of Program Development and be prepared to discuss, without reservation, all issues and concerns with respect to existing program or governmental discussions
• Operate with the intent that there will be “no surprises”—all information, both good and bad, is shared immediately, not well after the fact General Organizational Support (10%)
• Remain engaged in and updated on activities within the Chinese Water/Sanitation/Hygiene (WASH) sector
• Represent ACR at appropriate conferences, seminars, trade shows, and other networking events
• Support the Development Department in the preparation of funding proposals and donor reports
• Capture photo and video during field visits that will support the mission of ACR as well as support donor communications efforts
• Complete other tasks as assigned by US staff and within the scope of the ACR mission Salary for this position will be set based on the particular qualifications of the candidate, and will be competitive with similarly sized NGO’s operating in China. There will be a 3-month provisional employment period before signing a long-term contract. Please send cover letter and CV detailing your qualifications to: jobs@achildsright.org. | 
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