POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to provide strategic leadership, oversee operations in the region and direct HIAS' LAC program portfolio.

HIAS has just developed its 2030 strategy. Organizationally, HIAS is guided by our Theory of Change. The core elements of our theory of change include 1) delivering high quality interventions across the different contexts from preparedness, emergency response, early recovery and long-term solutions; 2) demonstrating the importance of measurable and communicable impact; and 3) mobilizing & educating the Jewish Communities & other Allies of HIAS to be the voice and Advocates for Systems Change. HIAS programmatic work focuses on four core program areas including Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Legal Protection, Gender Based Violence prevention and response, and Economic Inclusion.

The successful candidate will provide strategic and tactical oversight to all country operations in the LAC region. They will, in coordination with technical and regional staff, ensure quality services are delivered that meet both ethical and global standards and that the programs evolve to meet changing needs and succeed in implementing HIAS’ theory of change. Along with other relevant teams, the role-holder will provide guidance and support to country teams to ensure all programs are delivered to the highest quality and achieve the intended impact and demonstrate accountability.

Bringing a deep understanding of migration and refugee issues, the Regional Director, LAC provides programmatic and operational expertise and contextual analysis from the region. They work with senior management and field leadership to develop a regional and global strategic vision. This will include capacity building of country offices to deliver responsive, impactful programming to meet the needs of refugees in the region.

This position will be based in Panama City, Panama and is considered an accompanied duty station.

Note, the salary range for this position is $120,000-$150,000.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Overall responsibilities fall into five broad functional areas: Country Operations Oversight and Coordination, Partnership Development and Collaboration, Amplification of the Regional Profile, Monitoring, Evaluation and Program Quality, Advocacy and Donor Diversification and Business Development.

COUNTRY OPERATIONS OVERSIGHT & COORDINATION

• Provides direct oversight of the country operations and the implementation of programs in the region, communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, and delivering regular and timely performance feedback.
• Drives coordination between programming and operations with the objective of improving the quality of HIAS programs and the impact on the populations that HIAS serves.
• Supervises and mentors LAC region Country Directors, leads interdivisional and inter-departmental coordination between programming and operations with the objective of improving the quality of HIAS programs’ and the impact on the populations that HIAS serves.
• Co-leads a governance model that ensures efficient coordination with HIAS' HQ functions to facilitate effective support to the country offices.
• Collaborates in global policy development initiatives and roll out of global policies and organizational standards to ensure that Country Office suggestions are considered, and policies are adapted if appropriate with the context.
• Fosters a culture of accountability to all HIAS policies and procedures including but not limited to the code of conduct, PSEA and safeguarding, ethical conduct and effective and quality delivery of humanitarian assistance in HIAS country offices.
• Works closely with People & Culture representatives to implement HIAS’ international management standards across the region, including in relation to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and the response to allegations that may be received.
• In coordination with global finance and grants management colleagues, shares responsibility with the relevant Country Director for tracking program spending and financial and project compliance, and working with Country Office leadership and global finance and grants management to present solutions and address variances.
• Collaborates with HIAS’ technical staff to ensure HIAS’ methodologies and approaches are uniformly implemented across HIAS LAC programs, considering respective local contexts.
• In coordination with HIAS' emergency department, provides leadership in HIAS' emergency response decision processes, ensure country office have emergency preparedness and response capacity.
• Coordinates with other regions to have consistency in the approaches taken, and to share experiences and lessons learned.
• Promotes good practices in risk management across all country offices and teams, supporting a risk intelligent approach and culture in relevant HIAS policies, procedures, systems and capacities.
• Provides direction and focus to ensure compliance with donor requirements including effective stewardship of resources, budgets, program delivery and performance management
• Supports country offices with recommendations delivered by Internal Audit and Control in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & COLLABORATION

• Leads and facilitates the development, strengthening and expansion of partnerships, and positions HIAS as a key actor and partner of choice in the region through alliance building.
• Serves as HIAS’ regional representative in external meetings with governments, donors, other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency groups and foundations.
• Collaborates with technical staff and country office staff on ways to build partnerships and strengthen capacities of local civil society organizations and other stakeholders, which will position HIAS as a valued partner.
• Represents HIAS at Country Office, regional and global level when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

AMPLIFICATION OF THE REGIONAL PROFILE

• Promotes, facilitates and advises country offices on alliance-building initiatives through the engagement of the private sector, academia and other potential partners.
• In collaboration with the Global Policy & Advocacy Division, leads the coordination of contributions to policy, advocacy, messaging and strategies that focus on the LAC region or individual countries in the region at the international, US, EU, regional and country level.
• Sets and leads regional strategies relating to partnership, policy and advocacy, geographic footprint, and core program priorities, in coordination with divisional HQ counterparts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MONITORING, EVALUATION & PROGRAM QUALITY

• Ensures the right systems are in place for program quality and technical excellence, MEAL, Budget and Fiscal Compliance and Country offices to comply with the global standards.
• Ensures that monitoring data is used to inform programming and take corrective action as needed to guarantee high-quality implementation of HIAS’ programming.
• Facilitates sharing and learning across the countries, both in the region and throughout Programs and Operations, and supports country programs to draw synergies in learning between the regions both in programs and operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

DONOR DIVERSIFICATION & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT \

• In line with HIAS’ Strategic Plan, supports the diversification of country, regional and global funding.
• Contributes to the program design, drafting, budget development, and editing for high-quality proposals that are competitive and align with HIAS’ theory of change.
• Coordinates with Institutional Development to ensure the timely submission of high-quality proposals that align with HIAS organizational and regional strategy.
• Participates in the governance forum related to the go/no decisions for funding opportunities and indirect cost recovery.
• Works closely with the global and regional Institutional Development and Technical Excellence Teams to mobilize resources for the Country Offices and the region and provide business development support.
• Oversees periodic reporting to donors and ensures timely response to donor requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree in International Relations/Development or related field, or equivalent field experience.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of relevant experience in senior program management roles, and leadership roles.
• Strong experience within INGOs or government agencies within the humanitarian sector.
• A diverse background in delivering humanitarian assistance programs, with a strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation and experience leading strategic planning processes.
• Strong background in refugee and migration issues, preferably with the LAC region, with experience in protection programming preferred.
• Known for being a strategic thinker with the ability to collaboratively implement programs that meet strategic priorities.
• Demonstrated expertise in representation and negotiations, resulting in securing significant opportunities for the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and monitor program compliance and implement best practices to achieve high quality, evidence-based, beneficiary-focused outcomes.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to relate well with colleagues, stakeholders and beneficiaries, alike.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, gained in complex global working environments.
• Proven ability to provide direction and leadership through a variety of management styles and roles.
• Ability to mediate competing interests, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter, able to identify opportunities and needs, and respond to them efficiently and taking into account the priorities of a range of stakeholders.
• Fluency in oral and written Spanish and English language skills required.
• Ability to travel 40% of the year.
• Travel, to include travel to insecure operating environments, may be required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: In-person interview with the hiring manager.

Step 6: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 7: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or HireRight.

Step 8: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply even if you do not meet all required qualifications but have other qualifications relevant to the role that would make you a great fit for this role with HIAS!

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.