Country Director Honduras

Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible - particularly those who are excluded or marginalized - with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits. It strives to operate effectively by increasing and diversifying its income sources and working in partnerships and alliances with others.

Each Country Program is led by a Country Director (CD) who oversees the development and implementation of strategies at country level in alignment with Plan’s global vision and purpose and with the prevailing context of child rights violations in that country. The CD is the sole representative and leader of Plan´s operations in this country. S/He is responsible for Plan’s reputation as a legally compliant, effective and responsible organization, which is unafraid to challenge injustice and discrimination against the poorest and most vulnerable children.

Honduras is still considered as one of the poorest countries in Central America with 65 % of its 8 million habitants living below the poverty line. It has seen a deterioration of its security environment in the last couple of years due to organized crime, drug trafficking and gang violence. Additionally, the country is politically deeply divided as result of a coup in 2009. Almost half of the population is under 19 years old and children are frequently victims of violence and exploitation in different forms. Moreover, many children in rural areas suffer from extreme poverty and malnutrition.

Operating in Honduras since 1976, Plan is one of the largest international NGOs in the country. Its approved second Country Strategic Plan (CSP II) is coming to an end and the process of developing new strategies will have to start soon. The operating budget of just over US$ 7 million per year needs to be complemented with additional funding sources in the future. Plan Honduras has a stable caseload of 30,000 sponsored children and works in over 776 communities in 86 municipalities in 6 Departments of the country.

Main responsibilities

• The Country Director is Plan’s legal representative in Honduras accountable for the operations and results of Plan in Honduras in a complex political, institutional and legal/labor environment.
• S/he will both grow and ensure the proper disbursement of funds for use in Honduras (currently around USD –7 Mio. per year), additional sources of funding will have to be explored.
• Responsible for managing Plan’s programmes. Plan currently works with approximately 30,000 sponsored children across Honduras.
• S/he will head a Country Management Team and provide strategic and leadership to Plan Honduras staff (currently 174 local employees)

Plan’s work will be relevant to the needs of the most vulnerable children in Honduras

• Country Strategic Plan developed and implemented according to an approved plan of action.
• Emergency preparedness analysis ensures Plan is ready to respond to predictable emergency conditions.
• The current location of programmes is reviewed to ensure they include new communities and cover the most marginalized and excluded children.
• Putting a stronger emphasis on achieving measurable results and impacts, documenting and communicating them appropriately will demonstrate the effectiveness of rights-based programs;
• Eeffective sponsorship services are being delivered to ensure compliance and enable successful fundraising activities in other parts of the organization;
• Through development education, communications, advocacy and public incidence Plan engages with the critical stakeholders in the country in favor of child righrts;
• Operational risks are appropriately managed and the organisation is prepared to respond to humanitarian emergencies;
• The application of the Child Centred Community Development approach strengthens duty bearer’s, rights holders’ and civil society’s capabilities for advancing child and youth rights at the local, national and international levels;
• As a member of the Regional Leadership Team, the Country Director of Honduras is expected to contribute to the overall learning and strategic direction within the Americas region.

Plan’s work in Honduras will be delivered by a cost-effective and efficient team, skilled in their area of expertise and compliant with the expectations Plan has of all staff:

• Creation and management of high performance teams which deliver excellent technical work, using child-centred and gender-sensitive approaches in line with Global and Country Strategic Plans.
• Management of individuals across the team to ensure full development of potential through induction, performance management, support and staff development in all core policy areas.
• Staff numbers and structures will be designed and kept at a level that is efficient and cost effective.
• Work environments will be managed to reduce risk from health and safety and security hazards.
• Creation of budgets and disbursement of all resources will be efficient and compliant with organizational procedures and standards.

Plan’s work will be well funded and growing

• Identification and exploitation of funding opportunities in partnership with National Organizations and in line with agreed strategy.
• Delivery of grant and sponsorship work on time with clear measurable impact on children and in full compliance with donor requirements.
• Timely reports with high quality will ensure donor satisfaction and continuation.

Plan’s work in Honduras will be recognised locally and internationally as effective and relevant to the needs of highly vulnerable children

• Representation of the work to all key stakeholders (advisory group, local leaders, workshops, cluster groups, INGOs locally and internationally etc).
• Timely communications work positions Plan strategically as recognized voice for critical issues affecting children in Honduras.

Dealing with Problems

• Ability to make judgement in the light of working within a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders
• Flexibility to support positive outcomes for a global programme including supporting and mentoring other Country Office programs
• Decision making on requests in relation to the risks and opportunities associated with Sponsorship programming
• Take decisions based on the correct applications of global policies in the country

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives

Knowledge

• Demonstrable knowledge as a result of study, training or practical experience on the key debates in development
• Knowledge of Honduras; the geopolitical factors affecting child-poverty in the country and the political, social and environmental opportunities for change is an advantage
• Knowledge of the requirements of donor compliance and financial management
• Knowledge of programming for development
• Child-rights development and emergency programming theory
• Fluent in English and Spanish.

Skills

• Proven skills in the development and management of effective and motivated teams, including distance management
• Effective working with and through partners
• Demonstrated experience in conflict management and coaching
• Communications, comfortable with the media, presenting and arguing a case
• Proven analytical skills in isolating priorities and tackling them
• All aspects of team management in complex environments
• Representational skills in using media and other outlets for programme promotion

Behaviours

• Self motivated leader with the passion for social justice
• Show high standards of integrity and transparency in all his/her actions to become a role model for the entire organization.
• Ability to adjust personal lifestyle to existing insecurity in the environment
• Creativity and innovation
• Motivate the staff and encourage the team to high quality standards, promoting innovation and learning
• Problem analysis, judgement, handling ambiguity and decision making based on fact and figures
• Commitment to continuous improvement with the overall aim of optimising the quality and impact of Plan’s programmes in Honduras.
• Provide vision and direction, and lead the team towards the organisational goals
• Promote staff development and high performance within the organization
• Demonstrate a high level of communication skills and capacity to create high level relations

Location and Travel

• Based in the country office located in Tegucigalpa, with extensive local and some international travel
• Ability to travel to remote areas
• Honduras is considered a Country with a high level of insecurity in the region of Central America.

How to Apply

Please submit a full CV and a comprehensive cover letter setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications experience knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role to:- recadmin@plan-international.org

The closing date for applications is Friday 23^rd March 2012

Please quote reference number RA017

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.