With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

International Assignment (WVI – Paid via GCLA) Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

The National Director (ND) will strategically lead, develop and direct the implementation of World Vision Eswatini's Strategy. World Vision Eswatini (WVE) has operations in all four regions of the country with programs in 23 of the 59 Constituencies. World Vision Eswatini began in 1992 as an emergency relief organisation, transitioning to transformational development and advocacy for the most vulnerable children, people, and communities in Eswatini. With a high HIV prevalence, Eswatini has a significant proportion of children without parents (orphans) who generally tend to have poorer health, nutrition and education outcomes. WVE supports broader government initiatives targeting these and other vulnerable children and further works with traditional structures existing within communities to ensure sustainability. 

 

WV Eswatini's current strategy aims to contribute to a measurable improvement in the well-being of 485,000 vulnerable children, as well as enhance the quality of life for their households and communities. The average budget over the last five years has been USD 20 million, with approximately USD 15 million in cash funding and the balance in Gifts-in-Kind. Major donors include the Global Fund, UN agencies (WFP, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, UNEP), private foundations and corporations, the Government of Eswatini, and crowdfunding through Sponsorship. The total workforce consists of an average of 180 staff members. Key sectors of focus include child protection, resilience and livelihoods, health and HIV, and WASH. 

 

PURPOSE OF POSITION 

Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for World Vision Eswatini

Strategically lead, develop, and direct the implementation of all aspects of World Vision Ministry and strategy in eSwatini. In this role, the National Director (ND) will serve as an effective leader locally and a valuable member of the broader WVI Partnership, modelling the organisation's principles of twin citizenship to ensure high-quality ministry and overall organisational effectiveness.

Ensure that World Vision (WV) ministry is directly contributing to the sustained well-being of children and the fulfilment of their rights within families and communities.

Represent WV to all donors, project partners, other WV Partnership offices, divisions, local government, church representatives and non-governmental organisations serving according to given Power of Attorney.

The National Director will lead national resource development, local fund raising and ensuring growth of local resources through effective partnerships with the Government of Eswatini, the private sector and individuals

Major Activities 

Spiritual Leadership 

Ensure that WV Eswatini has a quality Christian Commitment approach and operational plan appropriate for the country’s context; 

Model a high standard of personal Christian leadership, Ministry and integrity through lifestyle, leading by example and providing spiritual guidance to staff on the WV Vision, Mission and Core Values 

Participate in and lead regular devotional meetings. 

Ministry Performance 

Ensure high quality and high impact on the field by leading in a way that WV Eswatini’s programs are achieving expected annual targets on a sustainable basis in line with strategic priorities; 

Ensure adequate resources are acquired and managed to meet and enable quality program implementation; 

Ensure the highest standards of quality and accountability through compliance with World Vision policies and standards and international standards for emergency response, disaster mitigation, rehabilitation and development; 

Ensure adequate oversight over project proposals, reports, integrated audits, and ministry evaluations to assure that impact and accountability patterns are met; 

Ensure accountability for implementing effective ministry to all key stakeholders. Ensure adequate oversight of the timely and accurate flow of management and operational reports in accordance with program objectives and standards. 

Strategy, Operating Plan and Long- and Short- Term Targets 

Ensure that there is documented Country strategy, Ministry priorities  and operating plans, and the latter have been derived from overall strategy and have clear and measurable short-term and long-term targets; Ensure that Ministry strategies are aligned with Partnership Strategic priorities and global strategy (Our Promise); 

Ensure that there are clear strategic objectives for People and Culture, Communications, and other key functions, based on the office strategy and operational plan, and that these objectives include the main priority areas identified in the respective Regional and Partnership Strategies. Facilitate and be accountable for strategy execution, monitoring, and performance; 

Support Senior Leadership Team to make consistent and progressive steps towards organisational and programmatic consistency and sustainability; effectively communicate workplans and priorities derived from the organisational strategies by partnering with Senior Leadership Team to ensure synchronised accountabilities, objectives and associated budgets; 

Enhance organisational excellence by establishing operational benchmarks, timeframes, targets for accountability, KPIs and resources needed to achieve strategic goals, proactively driving improvements if necessary; 

Enhance sustainable programming supported by stable, long-term financing to develop a sustainable funding base and to pursue new and innovative funding sources to meet WV Eswatini’s strategic priorities; 

Play a leading role in developing and managing effective partnerships and networks with both existing and new key partners. 

Organisational Leadership 

Promote WV’s Vision, Mission, Core Values and key Partnership Standards and Practices among staff and partners and ensure they are the core foundation of the office strategies and work; 

Promote a leadership and management style that enables the integration of operations across Eswatini 

Ensure that capable staff is available to implement office strategy and operational plans; 

Supervise Senior Leadership Team, all policies, organisational planning and development, ensure clarity around roles, motivate the Senior Leadership Team and facilitate effective team dynamics; 

Review and approve Senior Leadership Team succession plans; ensure that proper capacity is in place and that the succession plan is updated and executed; 

Lead and manage in a way that facilitates a high-performance culture, open trustworthy relationships and integrity; Promote a culture of learning and development, employee engagement and good stewardship of human capital in the office; 

Ensure implementation and compliance to Partnership Performance Management Standards and Principles while seeking to implement Performance Management guidelines on a reasonable level; Champion Senior Leadership Team in proper implementation of Performance Evaluations on an annual basis; 

Support initiatives for staff care and well-being and ensure staff engagement levels are consistently within set World Vision Partnership standards and parameters; 

Respect, value, and promote gender, age, religious and ethnic diversity; 

Ensure high standards in the management of the organisation's human, financial, capital, and technical resources. This also includes inspiring and maintaining high standards of work and clear accountability to stakeholders; 

Visit projects frequently to encourage, build relationships, and support WV programs; 

Advocacy and Representation 

Represent WV Eswatini, engage and build strategic alliances with the Government of individual countries, boards, major donor agencies, WV Partnership, non-governmental agencies, churches and media; 

Develop and implement appropriate advocacy strategies to raise awareness of and advocate for change in key children-related issues within the Eswatini context; 

Lead and facilitate strategies for the promotion of justice that look for the change of unfair structures that oppress those in need; Ensure that WV is positioned as a leading NGO in promoting the well-being and rights of children within the country context to deserve public and stakeholders’ confidence and trust; 

Strengthen awareness of World Vision’s program both within and outside of the WV Partnership; 

Ensure that WV Brand is respected within all operational and non-operational areas and ensure that the staff conduct does not harm it; 

Provide leadership, strategic direction and support to the team for developing and implementing excellent donor experience and acquisition of Ministry funds; Identify new opportunities and forge alliances that lead to optimisation of all resources; 

Engage WV Eswatin’s Advisory Council and ensure strong reporting performance. Support the Advisory Council in identifying and interviewing candidates, as well as coordinating the selection process with the Regional Office. 

 

Financial Management and Financial and Operational Audit Compliance 

Ensure efficient and effective organisational practices that would result in successful financial and operational audit scores; 

Oversee action planning and execution to resolve audit findings in an agreed and timely manner; oversee appropriate reporting of audit results and actions; 

Oversee substantial financial compliance through timeliness and completeness of financial reports; 

Oversee substantial operational compliance through timeliness and completeness of program/project reports; 

Provide direction and focus for integrating private and public funds to maximise results and respond to community needs most effectively and efficiently; 

Manage overall financial integrity of the program to WV Support Offices, Donors, the Government and other stakeholders; 

Provide overall strategic leadership and initiative for identifying and securing financial resources to support the program; 

Safety and Security, Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness 

Develop and maintain capacity to respond to natural and artificial emergencies; 

Oversee regular review of security and safety plans and protocols (security manual, evacuation plan, Disaster Preparedness Plan, and risk assessments at national and Area Program levels) and ensure understanding and compliance by all staff and visitors; 

Oversee relief efforts as needed and work in partnership with response teams. Build in-country relief response capacity to ensure adequate disaster management and response; 

Liaise with other international organizations to collect information about the security environment and, where appropriate, discuss joint responses to security threats; 

Compliance and Country Legal Environment 

Ensure that the country office complies with local legal requirements and standards; 

Represent WV country office in courts, if required 

Ensure and oversee proper mechanisms for Child Protection and other WVI Standards and Principles implementation; 

Ensure that the entity functions in a complementary, cohesive manner where the principles of interdependence and twin citizenship guide the contribution made to the Partnership and the use of WV Partnership resources; 

Ensure WV Eswatini actively participates in scheduled Peer Reviews. Take ownership of planning and executing Peer Review recommendations with the Advisory Council. 

Ensure business continuity through an integrated risk management approach, including security, financial, operational and reputation risks by developing contingency plans and scenarios, and take ownership of the action plans 

National Resource Development 

Explore opportunities and facilitate National Resource Development plan; 

Develop and implement an effective National Resource Development strategy and implementation plan that enables the generation of funds locally to meet local sustainability strategy; 

Implement long-term and short-term programs that create new opportunities for acquisition, retention, and transformation of diverse sets of donors; 

Influence donors using creative approaches to motivate them to get involved in support of WV Eswatini fundraising initiatives 

Required Professional Experience 

More than 8 years’ experience in managing effective and efficient operations of a country office or organization, demonstrating sound, people, program, financial management skills and knowledge. (e.g. organizations with over 150 staff and an annual total budget of over $ 18 million)

Minimum 5 years Executive Leadership experience in a large, international organisation

Requires at least 10 years experience in an international NGO

Proven experience in overseeing large Government grants, major private donors and or complex multi-sectorial development and humanitarian programmes.

Prior experience in country strategy development, risk management and organisational development

Proven track record of fundraising

Experience in leading multi-cultural senior leadership teams

Strong networking, representation and communication skills with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders

Ability to cope under signifigant pressure

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff, donors, the Board and other stakeholders

Skills and knowledge in governance through previous work engagements with a Board of Directors.

Understands and values equity, diversity and inclusion to achieve organisational goals

High level of emotional intelligence.

Required Education & Experience

Preferred qualification: Master’s degree in development studies, international development, management, administration or social sciences or equivalent. Other relevant Qualifications will also be considered.

More than 8 years’ experience in country level program management. 

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local and International Applicants (IA's) Accepted