National Program Director

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Position: National Program Director

Assignment: CERI Moldova

Reports to: CERI US Vice President of Operations

Location: Chisinau, Moldova (head office)

Qualifications

• University degree in Business or Human Relations (or related field)

  • Foreign degrees accepted

  • Master's degree preferred

• Experience in:

  • Child protection, ideal candidates will have extensive experience in care reform in Moldova

  • Child Safeguarding

  • Child welfare focused policy reform

  • Working knowledge of Moldovan culture and regulations

• Fluency in English and Romanian – Russian preferred)

• Clear criminal background check

• Valid driver’s license required

• Computer literacy (MS Office Applications Proficiency)

• Financial responsibility

• Proven interpersonal skills or training work in advocacy, public relations, or training development and facilitation

Core Responsibilities

• Supervise staff across two offices and service trip volunteers (either foreign or domestic)

• Oversee all in-country operations

  • Lead country-level Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)

  • Align with CERI’s global vision

• Serve as CERI’s Branch Administrator as per Moldovan Banking Regulations

• Manage funding and budget

  • Maintain consistent communication and connectivity with CERI HQ

  • Expectation is a response within 24 hours maximum unless extenuating circumstances

• Use agency-approved software for reporting

Compliance and Legal Accountability

• Ensure strict adherence to:

  • Local legal requirements

  • Governmental stipulations

  • All regulatory filings

• Fully accountable for national-level legalities and compliance

Leadership and Advocacy

• Engage and participate in national advocacy networks and technical working groups

• Collaborate with peer National Directors to:

  • Share best practices

  • Develop local funding streams

Key Deliverables

• Supervise staff consistently including maintaining workplans for each team member that are digitally updated and shared with HQ

• Maintain full agency compliance

• Achieve defined OKRs

• Stay within approved budget

• Ensure child protection standards are met

• Submit clear, timely reports

Additional Responsibilities

• Adhere to all agency policies

• Maintain communication channels

• Participate in trainings

• Be on-call as needed

• Prepare and submit internal/external reports

• Facilitate program activities

• Build professional partnerships

• Attend annual global CERI meeting

Supervises: The CERI Moldova Team and consultants

Critical Action Items:

• Oversee and evaluate all CERI in-country operations, establishing robust quality assurance mechanisms.

• Ensure strict adherence to all local legal requirements and governmental stipulations. This role is accountable for all legalities, compliance, and regulatory filings for the Moldova office.

• Drive country-level Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), ensuring they align with CERI's global vision and OKRs while effectively adapting to Moldovan context needs.

• Manage and ensure the efficient flow and documentation of CERI Moldova budgets including responsible use of the agency’s bank account, correct distribution of funds, obtaining receipts, and the timely monthly submission of all Needed reports

• Cultivate and strengthen networks with governmental and non-governmental agencies to support program success, organizational growth, and national-level advocacy

• Collaborate closely with peer National Directors to share best practices, foster inter-country learning, and actively pursue local funding and partnerships.

• Establish and maintain relationships with child protection stakeholders including, but not limited to care institutions, community organizations, churches, schools, and other related entities to identify, establish, support, and monitor agency objectives.

• Ensure children and families' physical, spiritual, and therapeutic needs are met, and their basic human rights are protected and documented.

• Meet regularly with staff to discuss children’s progress, provide training, consulting, oversight, and intervention as needed; review plans of service, and ensure the stability and appropriateness of all CERI-funded care placements.

• Intervene in crisis situations as needed

• Assist staff with issues such as appropriate intake and discharge dates, college preparation services, after-care living skills, after-care employment, etc.

• Coordinate and support visiting individuals and/or groups on service trips, or as chaperoned V.I.P. partners of CERI.

• Assist and facilitate the receipt and distribution of humanitarian aid from the U.S.

• Oversee data collection, entry, and analysis for in-country operations.

• Manage all reporting requirements for in-country operations.

• Recruit, employ, train, and supervise staff members, as approved by the CERI VP or President, at the designated time.

• Foster and maintain an amicable, responsive, and appropriate relationship with all CERI clients, staff, and partners.

Measurable Deliverables:

• Provide regular and consistent supervision of programs and team members.

• Ensure full agency compliance with all local regulations and reporting requirements

• Achieve country-level OKRs as agreed upon with CERI HQ

• Ensure the needs of clients, staff, and volunteers are met.

• Track and manage in-country finances in collaboration with the CERI finance team.

• Maintain clear, consistent, and timely communication with CERI HQ, including weekly email responses to directives and updates on program progress and/or challenges.

• Use the agency-approved software to keep track of client progress, training, deadlines, and agency-wide reports.

Other Responsibilities:

• Observe and implement all agency policies and procedures, as outlined in the CERI Staff Handbook, and adhere to the agency’s Ethics Code as referenced in the agency personnel policies.

• Always maintain working telephones and ability to communicate with the supervisor by phone, mail, or email in a timely manner.

• Participate and assist with in-service training, staff meetings, client meetings, and foster parent support groups.

• Prepare and maintain reports as assigned.

• Facilitate and/or supervise appropriate programming, treatment, and discharge planning.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships between personnel and/or other professionals including but not limited to, local public authorities, local churches, volunteers, and other community resources.

• Travel once or twice a year to a global CERI meeting (if applicable).

Requirements:

• Possess excellent interpersonal, organizational, and planning skills.

• The ability to read, write, and fluently speak in English and the main languages used in the country of operation.

• Supportive of the program philosophy, goals, and objectives.

• Proven track record and comfort with hosting foreign volunteers

• Proven track record and comfort with interacting with high level government officials

• The ability to communicate and problem-solve effectively with children, families, and staff, and network to the agency’s benefit within the community and with a variety of outside organizations. This includes very clear and proactive communication with CERI HQ.

• Ability to work flexible hours and be responsive to staff, children, and families in need of support.

• Ability to drive CERI vehicles and maintain a current driver’s license

• A clear criminal background check, a valid driver’s license, and an excellent driving record.

• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, Internet Explorer), compiling files, planning and reporting, and maintaining a database.

• The desire and ability to facilitate financial transactions responsibly.

If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you!