Senior Operations and Transition Manager

 

Senior Operations and Transition Manager 

 

Location: Nairobi  

SOS Children's Villages, founded in 1949, is the world's largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it.  

Child neglect, abuse and abandonment is everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. Locally led, we work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person's best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs.  

Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child's rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment. 

Mission of the area 

The CVI International Operations unit ensures monitoring and assessing SOS CVI International Operations are adhering to regulatory requirements, including internal policies and specific federation essential requirements. Its goal is to help SOS CVI International Operations achieve consistent regulatory compliance and avoid areas of non-compliance.  

This area ensures overall effective supervision, monitoring and timely coordination of service provision to SOS CVI International Operations with the aim of creating of self-governing member associations over a limited period. The role-holder will however also oversight some SOS CVI International Operations that may not immediately transition into member associations due to compelling internal and external conditions. This area of work is informed by the SOS CVI International Operations Governance frameworks in strengthening good governance, local ownership, accountability and impact 

Purpose of the job 

To strengthen SOS CVI International Operations’ accountability and encourage self-reliance in the management of their operations with strong affiliation to the global SOS federation in line with their country’s legal frameworks.  

 

This job revolves around 4 broad service areas, namely:  

Leadership and Management 

Local leadership established and effective leadership of national operations with strong ownership, relevant national strategy, business continuity and risk management is in place. Lead direct reports: NDs assigned to the cluster 

 

Strategy, Planning and Budgeting  

Strategy, Planning and Budgeting development and reviews in consultation with stakeholders.  

 

Transition from International Operations to MA  

SOS CVI International Operations successfully transitioned into independent locally led members of the SOS CVI Federation with voting rights.  

 

Oversight GSC Services to SOS CVI International Operations 

Derive and coordinate GSC services to SOS CVI International Operations based on need.   

 

Tasks and Responsibilities 

Oversee the development of effective and accountable leadership and management of SOS CVI International Operations.  

• Lead and coordinate the recruitment and onboarding of National Directors and senior management team members of SOS CVI International Operations. (Direct reports: all NDs assigned in the cluster) 

• Supervise SOS CVI International operations’ NDs, including setting up and holding of key performance indicators (KPIs) / objectives and appraisals respectively, 

• Ensure and facilitate the provision of advisory support to strengthen and develop capacity and coordinate support to reach minimum quality standards 

• Lead the management of escalated crisis   

• Facilitate and coordinate information flow between PSAs and NAs in tri-party agreements.   

 

Support to SOS CVI International operations’ National Strategy Development, Implementation and Reviews including aligned Annual Planning and Budgeting processes  

• Oversee the development and reviews of National Strategic Plans, and Annual Plans & Budgets for SOS CVI International Operations, 

• Consult with SOS CVI International Operations to develop an annual quarterly review action plan for the annual plans and budgets, 

• Coordinate stakeholders' participation in the development and reviews of National Strategic Plans, Annual Plans & Budgets, 

• Represent the Federation view in NA strategy, planning / budgeting and programme planning processes. 

• Endorse SOS CVI International operations’ annual plans and budgets,  

• Conduct periodic field-based monitoring visits to SOS CVI International operations to assess progress made in implementation and challenges faced 

 

Initiates and coordinates the transition of SOS CVI International operations to independent and locally rooted associations.  

• Facilitate assessments on the situation and readiness of the SOS CVI International Operations and the development of implementation plans for the transition, 

• Identifies and supports the establishment of a relevant governance structure (e.g. advisory board) in collaboration with the NDs and other relevant stakeholders, 

• Facilitates the set-up of relevant governance structures at the SOS CVI International operations including onboarding process in alignment with country legal and federation requirements,  

• Facilitates and supports the transfer of assets and authority / autonomy to newly formed MAs.  

• Ensure compliance with federation minimum requirements including membership registration by SOS CVI. 

 

Oversight Good Governance and GSC Services to International Operations  

• Support good governance and management at SOS CVI International Operations including alignment with CVI Policies and standards, 

• Derive GSC service needs in consultation with International Operations NDs and management Teams, 

• Communicates with relevant FSC function advisors to render services to SOS CVI International Operations based on agreed level of need and a clear term of references, 

•  Periodically make a follow up with SOS CVI International Operations to assess the quality of services delivered by the FSC,   

• Provide quarterly feedback to FSC function advisors on quality of services provided and recommendations for future improvements.  

• Acts as a relationship coordinator fostering an enabling working relationship among stakeholders i.e. NAs, FSC and PSAs.  

 

 

Requirements 

Education 

• Master level degree preferably in: management and / or social studies and / or international development related subjects i.e. project management, education, finance, social sciences, economics etc. 

 

Experience 

• More than 10 years of work experience in following areas: 

• Demonstrated ability and experience to inspire and lead other leaders and manage their performance cycle (direct reports: NDs assigned in the cluster)  

• Demonstrated experience in building and supporting local teams, 

• Demonstrated experience of stakeholder management from different shades of cultures, good knowledge of any of the functions 

• Demonstrated experience in coordination of multi-cultural stakeholders’ engagements without much supervision, 

• Demonstrated understanding of the context of operations,  

• Demonstrated experience in crisis management 

Technical skills: 

Essential: 

• High level interpersonal skills, 

• Team-oriented: Ability to build strong / professional relationships / networks and cooperate effectively in a spirit of mutual respect, integrity and trust with peers, partners, stakeholders, local governments and others, 

• Ability to show leadership and convince others in non-hierarchical relationships, 

• Ability to critically analyse and integrate information, 

• Ability to think critically in a futuristic manner towards programme operations, fund development and assets optimization, 

• Experience in organizational process and governance work, 

• Good understanding of numbers, ability to critically analyse and integrate information,  

• Advanced oral, written, and public communication skills 

• Advanced organizational skills, including effective time management 

 

Desired:  

• Advanced International experience and cross-cultural skills preferred 

• Experience of working with governments and local authorities.  

 

 

Language skills: 

• Essential: English and French 

• Desired: Spanish or Portuguese 

 

Other competencies and soft skills: 

• Essential: leadership skills to manage teams in diverse locations, foster cultural environment development and the ability to build team capacity, ability to communicate verbally and in writing, Teamwork, Leadership, Problem-solving, Time management, multi-culturally sensitive, empathy etc.  

• Desired: presentation skills, adaptability, creativity, emotional intelligence, confidence, conducting one-self professionally, strategic thinking, client focus and innovation, change management experience, driving people development etc. 

 

LOV Competencies:  

• Core competencies: Results-orientation, Inclusiveness, Initiative, Continuous learning and Kindness. 

• Leadership competencies (if the case): Strategic thinking, Empowerment and Collaboration 

 

Travelling up to 30% 

 

 

If you are interested in this position, please send your detailed application in English 11 Novemeber 2026 at the latest. 

Please note that applications will be reviewed and suitable candidates will be contacted for interviews on an ongoing basis. The position will remain open until filled.