Country Director - Plan International - Xi'an, China

Position: Country Director China
Location:  Xi'an, China.

About the role Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan’s stated Global Strategic Goal (2011-15) is to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalised, with high-quality programmes that deliver long-lasting benefits.  Plan aims to achieve this goal by working in partnership with others and through high performing teams whose behaviours reflect the corporate values. Plan has a global income of around $800m. The latest Country Strategic Plan for China has been approved for the period 2013-2017. Currently the country program reaches an estimated 200,000 children in 7 program areas. It has an annual turnover of approximately US $6 million, a team of 109 staff, a case load of 29,335 sponsored children and a portfolio of 22 active grants. Dimensions of the Role: Legal representation of Plan in China Accountable for the operations and results of Plan in China, risk management and response Proper disbursement of all available project funds Income growth to meet impact targets set in the Country Strategic Plan and annual Resource Mobilization Plans Technical quality of project delivery Team leadership/management Reporting quarterly on progress against agreed KPIs Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position: Plan’s work will be based on an excellent analysis of the needs of the most vulnerable children in the country and the subsequent key decisions strategic choices of programming interventions.  Plan’s work will be delivered in a cost-effective and efficient way through a highly effective team, skilled in their area of expertise, reflecting Plan’s values and compliant with the expectations as well as the policies and procedures established by Plan. Plan in China has adequate Disaster Risk Management capacities in place and will be ready to respond to emergency situation that affect children´s rights. Plan’s work will be well-funded,  raising and using resources that make measurable impact on children’s lives Plan will be a credible and legitimate national actor, accountable to beneficiaries and other stakeholders inside and outside of the country, and an influential organisation promoting the rights and needs of highly vulnerable children in China. Key achievements, program learning and technical know-how of Plan China will be shared with fellow Country Offices with the aim of improving program quality and operational efficiency throughout the region and the organization as a whole. Dealing with Problems Ability to defend judgements affecting the program in the light of working within a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders Accountability for large grant and sponsorship income and the needs of donors weighed with those of children served Flexibility to support positive outcomes for a global programme including supporting and mentoring other Country Office programs Ability to recognise and respond to sudden high-risk situations that may occur in relation to child protection or staff safety Decision making on requests in relation to the risks and opportunities associated with programming Take decisions based on the correct application of risk assessment and global policies in the country Building and managing collaborative relationships across the organisation and with external stakeholders Communications and Working Relationships Internal Regional Director Regional Office Management Team members Other Country Directors, particularly those in the Region Programme Department in International Headquarters Functional departments in the International Headquarters (IT, People and Culture and Finance) National Office leadership Regional and international Technical networks External: National and Local authorities (National Government, municipalities, etc) Like-minded individuals who are supporting Plan in an advisory or decision-making capacity Community leaders in the areas of Plan Operations Civil society members of partner organization and alliances Media at local and national level Grants donors: National Offices, Corporate, and National Institutions Partners Other INGO leaders and networks. UN and donor representatives and clusters Partnerships with national and international NGOs, civil society and local government organizations. About you 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, particularly around child rights. Practical knowledge of the requirements of donor compliance and financial management Practical knowledge of programming for development and emergency response Fluency in English and one other of the Plan languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese), oral and written. Knowledge of China, the geopolitical factors affecting child-poverty in the country and Asian Development Community as well as the political, social and economic opportunities for development are an advantage Knowledge of sponsorship and/or grant funded programming an advantage Leadership Skills and Behaviours demonstrated from experience Striving for high performance: Strongly drives performance forward in area of the business for which they are responsible; involves others in setting and achieving goals; creates a strong sense of purpose within own part of the business and with stakeholders. Strategic thinking and innovation: Sets strong strategy in own part of organisation; makes an effective contribution to wider strategy; sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context; balances future vision with practical delivery; critically evaluates work effectiveness and searches for better ways of working. Decision making and risk management: Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations; alerts others to risks inside and outside the organisation; willing to make judgements about managing risks and ready to take responsibility for such judgements Influencing and Communications: Effective communicator using clear messages drawn from Plan’s work; cross-culturally adept; ready to work to influence leaders in governments, international bodies, partners and communities; can reach out and influence large groups of people; effective communicator with children and young people. Building effective teams and partnerships:  Collegiate - acting as a team player in country, region or function, even if this results in adjustment of own priorities; develops mutually trusting relationships with complex partnerships to deliver excellent business outcomes Developing people: Supports learning and a sense of mutual purpose in diverse teams; sets a strong learning culture in their part of the organisation; effective coach, equally at home with high performers and those in difficulty; uses opportunities across Plan to develop others Self awareness and resilience: Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations; plans own learning and development; aware of impact on others and adjusts own behaviour accordingly; has a positive impact on those around them; leads major change while keeping staff and partners on board Location:  Based in the country office located in Xi’an with extensive and regular local travel as well as some international travel. Ability to travel to remote areas required. Type of Role:  5 year fixed term contract Reports to:  Regional Director Salary:  US$60,000 to $72,000. This is an accompanied position and a full expat package will be available. Closing Date:  Monday 4th February 2013

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.
Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.
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