Global Director of Corporate Governance- Vacancy

 Job title: Global Director of Corporate Governance
Organisation:VisionFund International
Location: London
Closing Date: Monday, 03 June 2013
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. One important component of World Vision’s work is microfinance, providing financial services such as credit, savings and insurance to the poor, enabling them to earn increased income, build assets and provide for their families. Numerous studies confirm the strong impact of microfinance on the well-being of children. Studies also show, however, that the integration of microfinance with other development activities can have an even greater impact when compared to either microfinance alone or development activities alone. WV’s microfinance operations are managed through VisionFund and its 5,000 staff, a WV subsidiary. VisionFund manages a network of 35 microfinance operations globally and has outstanding loans of approximately $400 million to some 700,000 clients and annual network revenues of over $138 million. The MFIs were created to provide financial services in the areas where WV works. Strong growth requires strong governance through the VFI board and all MFI boards.
To ensure the VFI and MFI boards are well formed and effective, practising strong strategic leadership, oversight and demonstrating best practice in their corporate governance. This role will develop governing policies and tools, manage the formation of boards, and create development and effectiveness training and monitoring processes.. The Global Director will work closely with the WV Governance department, the Peer review department, MFI boards, World Vision International Advisory Councils/boards and the VFI Board.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

•         Enhance the quality of governance in the VFI Network:
•         Research and apply the most relevant and effective board governance practices that advance boards towards higher levels of performance
•         Develop global policies and guidelines that ensure common governance practices and standards are applied across the Network
•         Ensure the evaluation of board effectiveness based on a common criteria and approach across the Network
•         Participate in selected board meetings as an active observer in their governance practices and provide feedback of observations and recommendations
•         Advise on MFI board structure, composition, appointment, governance process, stewardship roles, meetings and board committees

        Board development & training:

•         Develop governance tools and training materials/curriculum to support boards in continuous development
•         Train boards on their roles and responsibilities as well as promising governance practice (where appropriate engage the services of other service providers to ensure continuous board development)

        Support the VFI board governance processes:

•         Develop policies and templates to enhance the effectiveness of the VFI board processes
•         Take minutes during board meetings
•         Undertake and coordinate the governance processes, such as recruitment of members, new members’ orientation, board evaluation etc
•         Align MFI governance policies and practices with VFI/WVI policies and strategy:
•         Work closely and coordinate with the WV governance Partnership Leader and the Regional Governance Advisors, so as to ensure alignment and consistency in governance approach between the MFIs and National Offices
•         Support MFI boards in communication and integration of strategies between the MFI boards and WV national boards/ACs
•         Support MFI boards in the development and implementation of board policies and other governance processes and documents and in ensuring that they are aligned with VFI/WVI policies and strategy
•         Work closely with the WV Peer Review department with a view to ensuring provision of relevant feedback on MFI and NO interactions
•         Support MFI CEOs on governance:
•         Support the CEO’s in coordinating orientation of new members and local board development initiatives
•         Provide direction and support to the MFIs to enable them effectively support the governance processes
•         Support the CEOs by promoting CEO coaching for governance process . Occasionally act as a coach for a CEO

        Project management and other duties:

•         Produce periodic progress reports against defined objectives and submit them to the CEO
•         Oversee the performance of the governance advisor & other contracted staff
•         Ensure the development and maintenance of a governance data base and other information management systems necessary to keep board members and staff current on governance information
•         Manage the departmental budget
•         Carry out any other tasks consistent with the position’s purposes, as may be required by the CEO.

        Collective responsibility:

•         Prepare for and contribute to SET and other VFI meetings and Forums.
•         Practice the Core Values of World Vision.
•         Participate actively in weekly chapel, devotions and spiritual development retreats in work location. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

•         Minimum a Masters degree. Business Administration, Financial qualification (CPA, ACMA, ACCA, CA) or related field.
•         Must have a clear understanding and experience of the governance needs of a financial institution and World Vision.
•         Ready to comply and live up to and in accordance with the organization ideals and Core Values
•         Must have strong leadership skills and ability to work independently
•         Good communication and negotiation skills are essential
•         Must have worked with boards for not less than 5 years.
•         Must have training and good understanding of corporate governance, latest global trends in corporate governance and be able to advise on implications for MFI boards.
•         Good understanding of risk management and strategy,
•         Training skills are essential and ability to develop training materials and case studies
•         Effective executive coaching
•         Must be able to simultaneously manage multiple priorities and projects
•         Must be cross-culturally sensitive as will work with associates from every area of the world.
•         Flexibility on hours to contact people within wide time zone difference is required.
•         Attend and participate in the leadership of daily devotions.
•         Perform other duties as required by the board or the owners.

        PREFERRED:
        Excellent consulting skills to be able to analyze, recommend solutions mentor and coach people.
How to apply: visit; http://unjobs.org/vacancies/1368655814691