National Director at SOS Children's Villages in Burundi

SOS Children's Villages Burundi operates under the umbrella of SOS Children's Villages International (SOS CVI).

SOS Children's Villages International (SOS CVI) is a non-governmental and non-denominational organization that works with communities, partners, and governments to ensure that the rights of all children are respected in every society. SOS CVI is a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing it. We respect all cultures and work with trusted partners where we can contribute to social development. Everything we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends around the world. 

Recognizing that every child belongs to a family and grows up in love, respect, and security, we exist to create families for children in need, help them shape their own futures, and contribute to the development of their communities. Everything we do is guided by the firm belief that no child should grow up alone and that we must improve the care provided to at-risk children, enabling them to overcome precarious circumstances and succeed in life. To achieve our mission, our strategy for the coming decade focuses on ensuring the best possible care for children, their participation, innovation, and effective collaboration with more partners. Our core values, which guide who we are and what we do, include the courage to act, a commitment to keeping our promises, mutual trust, and the responsibility to be reliable partners.

SOS Children's Villages in Burundi

Present in Burundi since 1979 with the creation of the 1st SOS Children's Village in Gitega, SOS Children's Villages in Burundi is a non-governmental organization with a social mission working in the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Recognized as a public benefit organization by the Burundian government, SOS Children's Villages implements its programs for children who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing it through two main programs: alternative care and family strengthening. Related programs such as health, early childhood development, and formal education are also implemented.

As part of the implementation of its actions and missions, SOS Children's Villages in Burundi is recruiting a national director.

Overall objective of the position

With the support of the SOS Children's Villages International Representative, the Country Director provides strategic direction and leadership to the organization and is responsible for the development and expansion of its programs, their effectiveness, and their impact. The incumbent must cultivate the best possible working relationships with partners, donors, the Government, and the beneficiaries of the programs and services.

Job Summary

With the support and under the hierarchical and functional authority of the SOS Children's Villages International Representative, and under the technical direction of the General Secretariat of SOS CVI,  the National Director (ND) ensures the overall management, effective operations and performance of the member association (NA), by developing and executing core programs and financial strategies that lead to the sustainability of the organization. 

The ND directs and develops the AN to ensure the effective delivery of programs and services to children, families, and communities within the framework of the AN's vision, mission, and values.

Within a team of 500 employees , the National Director is responsible for the following tasks: 

Strategic direction and governance

• Establish, guide, direct and oversee strategic plans, under the direction of the board of directors, to advance the mission and objectives and promote the sustainability and growth of the AN, in accordance with SO CVI and global strategic plans (SDGs).
• Implements appropriate good governance tools with great rigor, ensures their monitoring and reporting of achievements.
• Communicating SOS CVI policy in SOS Children's Villages of the AN and other SOS sites in Burundi.
• Promote operational excellence by ensuring that the appropriate best practices, processes, and technologies are in place.
• Promote respect for governance principles and statutes to ensure compliance at all times and ensure that corrective measures are taken if necessary.
• Ensure the implementation of strategies and the formulation of policies by delegating appropriate levels of authority to key officials, and ensure effective monitoring and reporting of progress, aligned with strategic plans.
• Advise and support the implementation of effective national management systems and structures, governance systems and statutory requirements.
• Regularly review the strategy, proactively assess future needs and make sustainability forecasts to ensure the relevance and adequacy of the NA.
• Identify and resolve in a timely manner the problems and opportunities essential to the organization's success, and resolve critical issues at the highest levels.
• Oversee the implementation of effective monitoring and auditing systems aligned with agreed standards.
• Monitor development and/or compliance reports against the expected objective of any program/project within the AN.
• Oversee the implementation of corrective measures/improvement plans where standards are not being met.
• To set an example in organizational ethics and morality and to take strong action against non-compliance with values, ethics and codes and good governance.
• Regularly present work plans, reports and proposals at board meetings and/or board subcommittees, and ensure that board and General Assembly decisions/resolutions are translated into clear actions.
• Support the development of the board of directors and members by launching orientation activities and other activities as directed by the President.

Sustainability and fund development

• Design and prepare the annual, or even multi-year, budget.
• Oversee the development and implementation of realistic and effective fundraising plans and strategies.
• Develop contingency plans in collaboration with key managers to ensure long-term sustainability.
• To drive the creation of sustainable wealth to ensure the achievement of strategic objectives.
• Ensure long-term financial viability by continuously assessing social, internal and external factors.
• Oversee the planning and budgeting processes of the National Assembly.
• Evaluate financial trends and ratios and manage the AN's expenditures within the approved budget to ensure effective cost control and savings under the direction of the Board of Directors.
• Review financial and management reports and statements to determine progress and status in achieving objectives under the direction of the board of directors and assist in revising objectives and plans, if necessary.

Brand promotion and awareness

• Provide strategic and tactical advice on AN's promotional, branding and communication strategies and initiatives, in collaboration with the partnerships and communications management.
• Maintain close contact with stakeholders and partners to establish strategic relationships, solicit ongoing advice and observations on initiatives to be taken and underway, and understand the needs and perceptions of the offerings.
• Promote proactive and continuous communication internally, as well as with all stakeholders and partners to ensure active and informed participation in all initiatives.

Innovation, transformation and process optimization

• Periodically assess the needs for change and transformation in anticipation of national and international priorities in the field of children's and youth rights.
• Initiate, direct, authorize and pilot initiatives aimed at optimizing programs and operations, improving service delivery and reducing costs within the National Assembly.
• To propose and present new projects and innovative ideas to the board of directors and to identify opportunities to be exploited with partners and other networks.

Strategic Relationship Management

• Establish and manage relevant strategic partnerships and relationships with internal and external stakeholders, focused on the rights of children deprived of parental protection or at risk of losing their parental protection, in order to ensure sustainable partnerships to help achieve strategic objectives.
• Develop and maintain a positive image of the organization with internal and external stakeholders (including the media) to ensure a positive response, a perception of trust towards the AN.
• Lead and guide the pursuit of advocacy objectives with NGO forums on children's rights and in partnership with other NGOs in collaboration with those responsible for protection, participation, education and advocacy.
• Establish strong relationships with the relevant authorities and seek government recognition and support for SOS programs.
• Oversee transnational advocacy efforts on nationally significant issues relating to children.
• To represent, under the leadership of the President, the National Assembly to the government, to all national and international bodies and all key partners/stakeholders in the field of children's and youth rights and defense.

Human Resources Management and Development

• Set medium and long-term goals and objectives for staff and actively monitor progress towards achieving those objectives.
• To ensure the professional recruitment, orientation, performance management, training and continuous development of the national office management staff.
• Develop and maintain a high-performing team and regularly evaluate staff performance to ensure that functional objectives are met or exceeded in accordance with established policies and objectives.
• To ensure stable relationships with employees by managing conflicts and creating a positive work environment.
• Oversee staffing planning to ensure the team has the appropriate personnel to achieve objectives, taking into account various internal and external factors.
• Ensure that the work ethic is such that employees continually strive to improve their own performance.
• Provide technical assistance as needed, with support from national management staff in liaison with regional office staff (advisory/coordination), and offer specific support in times of crisis to all programs.
• Ensure that the organizational culture is maintained and that employees live the values ​​of the AN.
• Supervise the proper management of all resources and full compliance with international reporting and auditing requirements.

International Federation – Coordination with the General Secretariat of SOS CVI and the regional management

• Ensure a smooth flow of communication between the AN, the PSA, the SG SOS CVI and the regional management, including compliance with reporting requirements and maintaining effective communication structures and channels.
• Ensure compliance by the organization with
• • Annual activity and financial reports to the AN's strategic and annual plans. 
  • Program development reports.
  • Requirements for financial reporting, budgeting and accounting.
• Oversee an efficient flow of funds to programs and projects.
• Coordinate observations, as needed, from relevant colleagues within the National Assembly during policy development and on international guidelines.
• To host research programs on common and/or crucial topics, as well as to lead certain programs/projects of importance to the international organization.
• Participate in regional meetings and other forums determined by the regional management/SG SOS CVI
• Support regional/international initiatives to promote the exchange and sharing of experiences, information and resources as needed.

Child Protection and Safeguarding

• To be responsible for the implementation and management of SOS CVI's child protection and safeguarding policy at the National Assembly and for reporting to the board of directors.
• Ensure that colleagues and programs do not cause harm to children and young people and that they are not exposed to risks of harm and abuse.
• To be responsible for reporting any concerns and violations regarding the safety of children in its programs and within communities to the appropriate authorities. 
• Ensure that colleagues act in accordance with national legislation, child protection policy, code of conduct and all other child protection requirements.

Employment conditions

• National full-time and exclusive position: Renewable fixed-term contract.
• Position based in Bujumbura, Burundi, available from January 1, 2026.

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