Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: The position can be based in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Mexico City, Mexico or San Salvador, El Salvador. Guatemala City is the location of the LAC Regional Office.
Application Deadline : February 16, 2024
Salary: $95k - $120k
For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.
Summary of Principal Responsibilities:
The Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) provides strategic and creative leadership in the region. The Regional Director works with staff to give regional expression to broader organizational goals and is accountable for the implementation of the strategic plan of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). The Regional Director is the primary spokesperson for the region, interpreting its programs and communicating the principles expressed by the work of the AFSC. The Regional Director is the lead on fundraising, external relations, and network building in collaboration with partners and AFSC units. The Regional Director participates in AFSC-wide staff groups to help ensure organization- wide coherence, collaboration, and program excellence and provides guidance and support to the International Programs Committee on regional matters and programs. The Regional Director ensures effective program quality that leads to systems and thought leadership. The Regional Director provides supervision to staff, manages the financial resources of the region; leads regional grant management and compliance.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities : The key responsibilities of the Regional Director, Latin America and Carribean region include the following:
Program Leadership, Planning and Direction

• Provide strategic and creative leadership. With the support of thematic directors, guide and participate in global initiatives on peacebuilding and migration.
• Lead program development and support, working with staff members to ensure that all projects and programs are of high quality and effective, demonstrate impact, are focused on the mission and strategic objectives of the AFSC, and lead to systems change.
• Foster staff understanding and competency in program-based planning (using theories of change and working with the Strategic Learning and Impact team to guide planning processes, defining strategies, monitoring progress, evaluating, and learning) for the implementation of the strategic plan of the organization within resource constraints.
• Engage in coalitions, networks, and other groups dedicated to peacebuilding, migration, and economic justice. Develop content, programs, initiatives that contribute to systems change and thought leadership.
• Participate in AFSC-wide groups include the Global Cohesion unit, communicating regional contexts and perspectives, engaging in program consultation and decision- making at an organization-wide level, and conveying those perspectives and decisions to regional staff and committees.
• Provide leadership and guide the policy and advocacy priorities and strategies of the AFSC in the U.S. related to countries in the region in collaboration with the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy.
• Provide information and analysis on regional and country specific issues as well as other program related information to the International Programs Committee in support of its governance role in program choice, public policy positions, finances, budgets, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Visit project offices within the region regularly and as required.

Staff Management, Development and Support

• Maintain the legal standing of the AFSC in each country where there are programs. Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations governing AFSC operations.
• Cultivate a work environment that attracts and maintains a diverse and highly motivated staff.
• Promote teamwork, common purpose, and continuous professional growth.
• Delegate administrative and program responsibilities to staff as appropriate.
• Recommended the hiring and termination of regional staff members and consultants as guided by organizational policies and processes.
• Ensure effective regional staff intake, orientation, and training.
• Ensure that staff members set clear, results-oriented goals for their work; these should include objectives, strategies, work plans and financial projections to accomplish goals; conduct annual performance reviews based on these objectives.
• Ensure that consultative decision processes are used in the region.
• Ensure that regional staff members follow all AFSC policies and procedures.
• Ensure that each program location has an up-to-date security plan and manage all security issues, including emergency situations as they arise. Make recommendations to the associate general secretary and the director of security regarding emergency responses as appropriate.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Work in consultation with Human Resources, DEI Office staff and others as appropriate, to determine and apply regionally, and country specific relevant diversity policies to regional staffing, administrative functioning, and program within the region.
• Work with the associate general secretary and team to ensure that all AFSC program locations apply AFSC policies as appropriate and relevant in the local context.

Financial Management

• Manage the regional budget. This includes preparing an annual budget as part of the program-based planning process, monitoring the approved budget, and taking appropriate necessary action to meet budget requirements.
• Ensure regional compliance with AFSC financial policies, procedures, and directives.
• Ensure good stewardship of AFSC facilities, equipment, and other assets.

Fundraising

• Collaborate with Advancement staff to create and implement regional fund- raising strategies, plans and goals.
• In partnership with Advancement and other staff, seek grant funding and collaborate in major donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation as appropriate.
• Ensure regional compliance with organizational grant guidelines and standards and be accountable for regional grant management and compliance.

Outreach and Communications:

• Maintain appropriate institutional relations with governments, local partner organizations, and other international bodies, seeking to promote and enhance partnerships and collaboration.
• Where possible, maintain frequent contact with the Religious Society of Friends in the region and coordinate with other Quaker organizations working or having interest in the region.
• Function as the chief spokesperson for the region, representing the viewpoints of the AFSC to all constituents and media outlets.
• Collaborate with the AFSC Communication department to develop and sustain a media strategy appropriate to regional programs and current events.
• Ensure that all public communications originating from staff and volunteers in the region, including Web and social media, are accurate and in accord with AFSC policies and procedures.

Safety and security management:

• Following the guidelines of AFSC's safety and security policies, develop security protocols, manage emergency situations as they arise, and make recommendations to the Associate General Secretary for International Programs Director and Director of Safety and Security regarding security and emergency response.
• Conducting regular updates on security status with local security focal points and staff.

External & Internal representation, Outreach and Communication

• Encourage and facilitate internal and external collaboration aimed at higher-level program impact. Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with organizations, professional groups, institutions, etc. that will expand the reach and maximize the effectiveness of the AFSC.
• Encourage collaboration among staff members and across regions of the AFSC for the sharing of analysis, strategies, methods, and opportunities for joint programs.
• Establish and strengthen institutional relationships and partnerships with stakeholders relevant to the organizational strategic goals of the program in local and international NGO sector, media, research institutions, UN agency officials and government ministries. Develop familiarity with relevant stakeholder plans.
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings.
• Articulate AFSC's basic principles/Quaker values as appropriate, with staff and partners, including the organization's commitment to a nonviolent approach to conflict and long-term strategies for peacebuilding.
• Coordinate visits by representatives of donor agencies and other AFSC - related programs or partners. Provide quick and timely information to AFSC and to donor representatives on key developments or events in the region as they are related to or affect AFSC work.
• Prepare written materials, testimonies, or analysis in coordination with the Associate General Secretary for International Programs, local partners, and the Communications Department as appropriate.
• Work closely with established partners and relevant authorities to build trust and continually strengthen programs and offer leadership and experience.
• Perform any other duty as assigned by your supervisor.

Initiate communication with teams and address issues affecting program implementation and service delivery.

• Plan, monitor, anticipate and address issues to ensure timely delivery of services. Identify and resolve issues across program and operational aspects which may impact delivery of program activities.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:

• Baccalaureate degree in social sciences or related field required; advanced degree in international studies, non-profit management, or peace studies is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of broad management experience supervising professional staff in multi-cultural environments, with at least four years at the management level, in the non-profit sector and working and living in the global south.

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, and experience in budget management.
• Demonstrated experience in staff and work team supervision and development, including use of coaching and mentoring techniques.
• Demonstrated strength in networking building, public speaking, and writing.
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft applications, including Excel and Word.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish required.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC regarding issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• A broad understanding of national and international social, political, and economic issues.
• Compatibility with AFSC's approach to peacebuilding, and strategies for systems change including research, civil society convening and strengthening, advocacy and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to connect with diverse audiences and to influence situations using tact and diplomacy; ability to persuade and motivate others.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with knowledge of and experience in using consultative decision-making processes; experience working under pressure and adapting to changing situations and priorities.
• Experience working collaboratively with individuals, groups and organizations.
• Ability to travel frequently and to work some weekends.
• Initiative, creativity, drive, energy, and a sense of humor.

Compensation : Salary range ($95k - $120k) Exempt - Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker's compensation and social security.
The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity , sexual orientation or disability.
AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities, and thus recommends vaccination and have at least one booster shot for COVID-19; as well as adherence to social distancing, masking, and office occupancy protocols.
AFSC's Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.
The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.