Executive Director

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Executive Director
Organisation: ECPAT International
Reports to: ECPAT International Board
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Salary: USD $76,000 per annum (plus benefits)
Closing date: Monday 15 November 2010

Background
ECPAT international (ECPAT) is a global network of 82 organisations in 75 countries working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

ECPAT works to build collaboration among local civil society actors and the broader child rights community to form a global social movement including the participation of young people and children against commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Its membership of national and affiliate groups reflect the richness and diversity of experience, knowledge and perspectives that arise from working in widely different contexts. ECPAT groups are involved in implementation of various initiatives to protect children at local levels.

The ECPAT Secretariat (Secretariat) has around 25 staff involved in the administration and coordination of the ECPAT network. The Secretariat works to design projects and programmes to facilitate network initiatives that make the greatest impact on combating CSEC. The Secretariat is also primarily responsible for strengthening the ECPAT network and monitoring the implementation of the Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action against CSEC at country level.

A key objective of the Secretariat is to enhance opportunities for ECPAT groups, including EICYAC (ECPAT International Child and Youth Advisory Committee), and key stakeholders to develop skills and knowledge through specialized training and workshops conducted in different countries. Regional Network Resource Exchange workshops enable network members to share information through structured training and discussions and to supplement their understanding on areas of practice and on the latest developments regarding action to combat CSEC, in order to plan and strengthen operational linkages for collaborative action at the regional level.

The Secretariat represents the ECPAT network on the global stage, working with international non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies, especially UNICEF and ILO-IPEC for the purposes of advocacy, information sharing and to exchange skills. The ECPAT linkage with all these organisations aims to bring external pressures on national governments to implement the Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action and similar declarations from subsequent World Congresses against sexual exploitation of children and young persons. ECPAT has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Job purpose
To lead, coordinate, support and manage the work of ECPAT and represent ECPAT at the international level. To implement the decisions of the Board and observe the Policies and Organisational Guidelines laid down by the International Assembly, which is the highest decision-making level within ECPAT. This includes the coordination of the ECPAT International Strategic Directions for approval and implementation. To manage the Secretariat team and together with national and affiliate groups throughout the ECPAT network carry out the organisation’s mission.

Key objectives
• To establish a collaborative and strong working relationship with the Chairperson and Board members.
• To increase the prominence of ECPAT and create greater influence for global advocacy on CSEC by forging collaborations and alliances with key stakeholders and partners from government, inter-governmental agencies, United Nations agencies, international non-government organizations and the private sector to engage their support and influence action for realization of child rights to protection from commercial sexual exploitation.
• To develop and strengthen the ECPAT network for greater coherence that will ensure all national and affiliate groups throughout the network benefit from even more effective, efficient and responsive programmes to enable advocacy with a single clear voice, harness innovations and best practices to meet current and future challenges.
• To lead the Secretariat management team and maintain the shared dedication among staff and partners addressing their needs and interest to elicit full support for making ECPAT’s overall agenda operational. Ensure fiscal robustness and sound financial management, cost effectiveness and impact results that enhance protection of children.

Key responsibilities

Board relationship
1. Establish a strong working relationship and partnership with the Board and members of ECPAT; with Board support build consensus and commitment to the vision and mission of ECPAT, and development of a unified voice and leading child rights Network focused on combating commercial sexual exploitation.
2. Prepare annual plans and budgets for review and approval of the Board and present updates on their implementation; consult with the Board and Board Committees on critical matters related to ECPAT’s work to elicit input advice and support.
3. Introduce international non-governmental organization (INGO) governance and policy standards where needed to further update, strengthen and streamline processes so that the work of ECPAT is optimized and reflects its guiding principles; implement Board policies and objectives in consultation with members.
4. The Executive Director and deputy directors will attend board and committee meetings on an ex officio basis.
Public education and advocacy
5. Represent ECPAT publicly by writing and speaking on issues related to child rights including the protection of young people and children from sexual exploitation to the fight against CSEC. In particular provide ECPAT positions and views on CSEC and related child rights issues in public fora at all levels including the United Nations, inter-governmental symposia; regional and international human rights conferences; other NGO child rights initiatives; child and youth forums; the private sector such as the Clinton Global Initiative, and media.
6. Create strategies and provide the lead to raise visibility of ECPAT communicating its core advocacy messages of CSEC; demonstrating its contributions; influence and elicit collaboration for its mission.
7. Provide support and backing to ECPAT groups in their efforts to influence policy as it relates to CSEC and provide leadership in child protection debates and initiatives at all levels.
8. Develop relations with and collaboration with officials of government and non-government organizations working on CSEC child rights and welfare issues to further enhance ECPAT’s influence as a leader in the field.
9. Represent ECPAT at all levels of public debate including lobbying international non-governmental inter-governmental organisations and United Nation agencies for advocacy purposes. Be the ECPAT spokesperson and a CSEC expert in the international media arena.
Network development and solidarity building
10. Cultivate a collegial relationship with ECPAT groups and EICYAC to inspire cohesiveness in the network across regions; communicate to elicit input and ensure shared values; promote concrete and active collaborations between members, members and the Secretariat and with the Board.
11. Demonstrate a professional interest in the work of ECPAT members and travel to the regions to know their work and meet with Groups using such opportunities to build shared understanding on goals and mission of ECPAT as a network, to give visibility and support their work, and to review and assess internal coherence in standards of CSEC; build relationships with members and other partners and inspire solidarity in progressing strategic objectives and programmes.

Strategic planning and priority setting
12. Produce the Strategic Directions including the vision, strategies and objectives for the operational programme, plus prioritized areas to secure funding and implement goals. Overall success of the implementation of the Strategic Directions is based on cohesiveness and collaboration with the Board, Secretariat staff, and the ECPAT network including the active participation of young people and children.

Fiscal soundness and financial management
13. Oversee and assure fiscal soundness and strength of the organization; effective management of the organizations finances, including budgeting processes and fundraising activities; communicate the financial status of the organization to the Board.
14. Review expenses versus revenue throughout the fiscal year; ensure that audits are smoothly executed; authorize major expenses; monitor cash flow and assure cost effectiveness and efficiency in grant management and overall impact of expenditures made in ECPAT activities.

Secretariat management and succession planning
15. Recruit, employ and retain staff as considered necessary for the proper conduct and business of the Secretariat, subject to the approval of the Board. Develop and implement a strategy to ensure succession planning for the Secretariat’s senior management and staff to ensure a balanced team, looking at the present and ahead.
16. Lead, manage, develop and evaluate the senior staff; supervise, support and motivate staff of the Secretariat and out-posted to enhance capacity and ensure dedication and disposition to address the mission of ECPAT within their designated responsibilities.
17. Garner commitment, enthusiasm and accountability from senior management and staff to realize together the objectives of ECPAT through solid knowledge of the issues and programme activities and applications and by applying sound management practices and goal setting, remaining fully aware of the working systems and procedures of the organization.
18. Engage actively through management oversight and support in the day-to-day operations of ECPAT to ensure they are effectively administered.

Programme development
19. Oversee and provide programme vision and direction, developing strong relationships with Network members, including EICYAC, young people and children, the Board and Secretariat team; ensure that programme staff work together with common understanding of the mission and goals of ECPAT.
20. Take the lead collaborating with senior staff, and member groups and the Board to develop the programme plan of operation that corresponds to ECPAT Strategic Directions prioritizing areas and planning appropriately to secure programme funding
21. Monitor trends and issues that impact ECPAT and its mission and goals; communicate their implications and recommendations for action to the International Board
22. Sustain and build standards and accountability across the work and activities of the organization investing in consistent evaluation of ECPAT’s effectiveness and impact on the issue through effectiveness of its work.

Fund development and fundraising
23. Create strategies that assist ECPAT to secure required resources from public and private sources.
24. Actively participate in fundraising solicitation conceptualizing presentation of program work and liaise with governments, foundations, and private donors; meet with and appeal to donors and cultivate support through appropriate presence and communications; communicate fundraising goals, strategy and progress to the Board to elicit their support.
25. Maintain current of external factors that can affect fundraising at all levels including for members and develop strategies to be communicated and deployed.

Key relationships
• The ECPAT International Chairperson and Board of Trustees
• ECPAT Network: National and affiliate groups, EICYAC, young people and children
• United Nations agencies: UNICEF and ILO-IPEC
• Governments and inter-governmental agencies
• International non-government organisations
• The private sector
• Partners such as The Body Shop

Key competencies
 

Leadership
• Building and sustaining relationships: Develops relationships and establishes positive working interactions with people at all levels; internally and externally; building solidarity between the Secretariat, national and affiliate groups, EICYAC, young people and children; easily builds rapport with people, develops and uses contacts, both inside and outside the organization.
• Strategic leadership: Forward thinking, demonstrates a breadth of vision and an understanding of the “big picture”; identifies strategic goals and is good at anticipating a situation as well as recognizing and seizing opportunities; perceptive about upcoming problems and solutions; seeks and accepts challenges; can develop and communicate a clear and inspiring strategic direction.
• Managing in the political-cultural context: Understands the conventions, structure, functions and passion of a grass-roots movement of activism that has grown into an international non-government organisation; the wider cultural, economic and social environment in which it operates; a keen awareness of the constitutional conventions, and the formal and informal influences operating in the context of a global network.

General management
• Management of people: Highly effective at leading by example, enthusiastic and positive in attitude; develops a cooperative environment for working together to achieve goals and objectives; ability to delegate full authority and responsibility to appropriate levels; empowers staff to use their initiative; ensures sound principles, procedures and processes for personnel management.
• Managerial expertise: A sound understanding and application of the most effective management practices to achieve organizational goals and objectives; balances available resources against competing operational demands, in relation to both short and long term requirements; ensures quality management systems; evaluates performance against objectives; reviews risks and adjusts plans as necessary.
• Effective communication: Excellent oral and written communications with a wide range of people, nationalities, languages and situations, in order to advocate, educate, explain, persuade and influence others; clear and effective two-way communications, easy to talk to and listens actively; above all, any individual and/or group concerns are reflected and responded to as appropriate.

Personal attributes
• Commitment to achievement: A personal commitment to excellence and a focus on attaining organizational goals and objectives; espouses the highest quality of work performance for self and others, setting out to reach specific challenging, but realistic goals; gets others to work effectively and efficiently; manages stress and uses time well to achieve a high standard of results.
• Honesty and integrity: Provides the highest standard of personal and professional behaviour to the Board, staff and network; confident in accomplishing tasks and handling challenging circumstances; takes hard decisions that have to be made and acts on them in spite of resistance; exercises good judgment in knowing when to change a decision or course of action if the objective is no longer tenable or is shown to be no longer appropriate; admits and handles any mistakes constructively.
• Intellectual capability: Values intellectual rigour and encourages intellectual debate; demonstrates a high level of skills in analysis, conceptual thinking, integration and distillation of ideas, decision-making and other cognitive processes, including the ability to quickly grasp and access complex ideas to arrive at innovative, well-reasoned solutions that take immediate and longer-term consequences to account.

• Languages: Fluency in English is essential but additional language skills are considered to be an advantage, in particular, Spanish and French.

Qualifications and experience
• 5-10 years executive management experience, working in an international non-governmental organization and/or similar movement-style organization
• Advanced knowledge and skills in the advocacy of child rights and the protection of children, preferably in the area of commercial sexual exploitation of children
• Experience in civil society change movements where activism involves many different players and levels of engagement and/or influence
• Well-developed business acumen and strategic insight
• Masters degree or higher tertiary qualification preferred, however Master-level thinking and working experience acceptable
• Passionate with a high level of energy with motivation and desire to achieve.

TO APPLY
To apply for the post, please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post along with your CV/resume (no photos) in English in strict confidence BY EMAIL ONLY to Emily Bracken at jobs@darylupsall.com. Applications sent by other means will not be considered.

Please ensure that they are sent as Word documents with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV”. Please put “ECPAT ED” in the email subject line and state how you came across about the job announcement.

Deadline for applications: 15 November 2010, 6pm Central European Time
Interviews will take place in Bangkok, Thailand in mid December
 

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