Country Director, Moldova

Lumos is an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded by J.K. Rowling to end the institutionalisation of children by 2050. Our vision is a world in which all children could grow up and thrive in a safe and caring family or, where there is no alternative, in specialist placements that meet all their needs, respect their rights, and ensure they can fulfil their potential.

Lumos has been active in the Republic of Moldova since 2006 and established its office in 2008. Moldova has become one of Lumos’ leading European demonstration countries, successfully supporting the Moldovan government in implementing childcare reform, deinstitutionalisation (DI) and strengthening the government’s systems of health, education, and social protection for children.

Recent results demonstrate the significance of childcare reform reforms in Moldova, with the number of children in institutions reducing by over 80%. Lumos, and other partners, have been instrumental in supporting the government in replacing institutions with community-based protection, social and educational services. Currently, Lumos Moldova provides support and shares its experiences and results with other countries in the region and beyond to help inspire similar change.

However, there are several children who remain in institutions and many of these children are under the age of three with severe and complex disabilities, including sensory impairments. At present community-based services still need to be developed, particularly services for children with complex and severe disabilities, and there remains a lack of early intervention and leaving care services.

Lumos will continue to support the implementation of childcare reform in the Republic of Moldova. For this goal, Lumos is now seeking to hire a Country Director to lead the Moldova country office whilst ensuring that the management and quality of the programme remains at a high standard.

POSITION

Job Title: Country Director, Moldova

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-Time

Reports to: Deputy Director of Programmes

Location: Chisinau, Moldova

As a Country Director, you will be at the forefront of our mission, leading our efforts to drive positive change within your assigned country. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your leadership skills, strategic thinking, and passion for social impact to make a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

JOB PURPOSE

The Country Director is responsible for developing and delivering Lumos’ programme in Moldova. The post holder will also provide leadership within the Lumos Moldova program and will work closely with key partners and the UK Head Office to deliver Lumos’ mission and vision. The role will require a certain amount of travel, within the country, across European Countries and to Lumos Head Office. 

The Country Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and delivery of the Lumos Moldova programme: 

• Representing Lumos as Country Director to all central and local authorities, national and international organisations in the Republic of Moldova; 

• Managing the delivery of Lumos's objectives in the Republic of Moldova in accordance with Lumos's programmatic and advocacy objectives, funder requirements, and Lumos's overall mission to prevent child separation from the family and institutionalisation of children;

• Organizing, managing and monitoring all the activities, outcomes and key performance indicators for the Lumos Moldova team in accordance with Lumos policies and practices and reporting these as required; 

• Contributing to the dissemination of Lumos’ program results, nationally and internationally; 

• Ensuring internal communication, cooperation, and collaboration of the Lumos Moldova team or

• Managing high-quality operations of the Moldova office, such as HR, finance, security and logistics, and when required support other Lumos Country Offices, such as in Ukraine.

• Managing the members of the team and developing to enable them to achieve their objectives and aspirations.

• Connecting with and work collaboratively with the rest of the Lumos family.

• Ensuring compliance with Lumos’ procedures and policies; 

• Providing oversight and direction to employees by the organisation's mission and values;

• Ensure that all staff and consultants work in a way that protects their personal safety and security through the implementation and recording of risk assessments and other records as needed;

• Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding for children, vulnerable adults and, where appropriate, their families, carers or advocates;

• Provide reports and other data to Lumos UK for the purposes of governance, internal assurance, external audit and compliance;

• Act as Lumos UK’s senior representative in Moldova to ensure all relevant regulatory and legislative requirements are met, including data protection, health and safety, and risk management; 

• Empowering employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals. Delegate responsibility and provide accountability and regular feedback;

• Identifying, scoping, prioritising and highlighting opportunities for the Moldova team, which could be translated into proposals for restricted funding, in collaboration with Lumos fundraising teams;

• Collaborate with colleagues in Communications, Advocacy and Fundraising to share the impact and successes of Moldova programmes and approaches with key external audiences;

• Maintain transparent communication. Appropriately communicate organisation information through program meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, and regular interpersonal communication, escalating any concerns, challenges, opportunities or risks early and proactively.

• Work closely with staff at Headquarters to ensure operational activities (HR, Finance, Security) are carried out in line with Lumos’ and local policies

KEY OBJECTIVES

• To ensure that the Moldova demonstration programme is well designed and delivered; influencing child protection, childcare, education and health policies, practices and funding within the country to support children and families;

• To ensure effective future planning for Lumos’ work in Moldova, to lead and oversee the delivery of the objectives and key activities of the Programme Implementation Plans;

• To ensure that the budget for Moldova is planned and expended appropriately for the key activities, aligned to any relevant funding/contractual requirements, and exercises effective financial control;

• To ensure the appropriate involvement of children and young people in Moldova country Programme’s work;

• Working closely and collaboratively with the Evidence, Advocacy, Communications, and Technical Experts to ensure the high-quality planning and implementation of Lumos Moldova Programme;

• To work closely with the PMO/MEAL team to ensure a program of monitoring and evaluation is established and delivered, including to the Board of Trustees in the UK;

• To share best practices from Lumos' work in Moldova internationally and nationally.

• To ensure all work is completed safely and ethically in line with Lumos policies, including the Global Policy for Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk and the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy and to ensure safeguarding practices are effectively embedded in all work.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSABILITIES

Contribute to set up, support with operation and exchange experience with Lumos Ukraine office and other country Programmes.  

Other tasks as reasonably required by the Lumos management team. 

Person Specification: 

Lumos is seeking a senior professional with extensive experience in program management and delivery and substantial experience in leadership roles. The individual will represent the organisation at the country level and within the region to promote Lumos’ mission and vision. The candidate needs to be flexible, hard working and have substantial experience in the field of child rights protection.

Requirements

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Romanian and English.
• Experience in reforming health, education care and social services for children including prevention of separation of children, family strengthening and childcare system reforms
• Experience in advocating successfully for policy change at the governmental level
• A wide-ranging knowledge of the principles and practices of child protection and quality care of vulnerable children
• Solid experience in managing a team(s) and/or a leadership role in an international setting

Additional Information

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter explaining your motivation to jobs@wearelumos.org.

This role will close on 15^th January 2024.

We would love to answer any questions you might have so please get in touch!

Safer Recruitment Statement

Lumos is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Criminal Records Bureau.

Lumos Foundation is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

Join us in rewriting the future for Moldova's most vulnerable. Apply now!