The ECRE Director provides overall strategic leadership for ECRE. ECRE is the leading pan-European network working on the rights of displaced people in Europe and in Europe’s external policies. ECRE has 128 members in 40 European countries. ECRE work covers legal support and litigation, advocacy and communications. The Director coordinates and targets the efforts of the member organizations to obtain maximum influence in European decision-making concerning refugees.
The Director manages all of ECRE’s activities in close coordination with the ECRE Board, which is drawn from its membership, and is responsible for the management of ECRE’s secretariat in Brussels, currently consisting of 11 staff members. The Director is ECRE’s main public spokesperson.
Key Responsibilities
Work in partnership with the ECRE Board to ensure the active engagement of the membership
Provide regular information to the ECRE membership on ECRE’s work, including via email, in written reports and in-person at ECRE General Assemblies and other events
Ensure that the membership is enabled to participate in ECRE’s work, with opportunities to provide input and suggestions, including through well-functioning working groups, members meetings in Brussels, Annual General Conferences, online forums and other relevant tools
Support the membership through participation in members’ events and activities and regular meetings with members
Communicate ECRE's goals and achievements to the membership
Provide motivation for the membership to participate in ECRE and actively engage in activities and networks
Work with the Secretariat to ensure effective and inspirational events, including the Annual General Conference, training and policy roundtables, and valued member services
Promote the role of the NGO sector working in European and international fora
Ensure effective overall management of the Secretariat
Line manage the team leaders (and other staff as required) and ensure efficient and high quality work across the three main activities ECRE carries out (litigation, advocacy and communications)
Give input into ECRE’s activities, contribute to and where relevant lead on ECRE’s activities to ensure effective delivery, including drafting or revising ECRE analysis and speaking in ECRE events
Take responsibility for developing and implementing ECRE’s annual and long-term planning, including ensuring a clear and functional strategic plan
Inspire and lead ECRE’s strategic vision and ensure that the overall objectives in the strategic plan are implemented
Lead on fundraising for ECRE, including identifying donors, preparing funding applications and ensuring donor reporting
Maintain strong relationships with key funders and ensure that ECRE has an effective fundraising strategy
Prepare annual budgets and track expenditure in an easily accessible form for presentation to ECRE Board and the wider membership
With the Finance and Admin Manager, ensure that ECRE annual audit is carried out and the relevant documents lodged with the Belgian authorities
Ensure that appropriate resources (staff, finances, property) are secured with which to achieve agreed objectives
Ensure that internal financial controls, practices and procedures are robust and effective
Ensure that accurate and timely financial and operational reports are provided to the ECRE
Board Management of the ECRE Board; Advising and supporting the ECRE Board in its governance role
Organize regular meetings for the ECRE Board (four or five meetings per year). Prepare minutes and reports on the Board.
Liaise with the Board and ensure the Board is sufficiently informed about ECRE to play its role in governance and oversight
Provide appropriate advice and guidance to the Board
Work with the Board and the senior management team to steer organizational development
Ensure accurate and timely reports and ensure transparency at all times
Other Tasks:
Ensure representation of people with a refugee background in all areas of ECRE’s work, including as staff members, Board members, member organisations, experts at events etc
Any other task assigned by the Chair of the ECRE Board
Work closely with ECRE’s senior management team to set targets, develop the Secretariat and support, monitor and review their work
Ensure high-caliber staff are recruited, motivated and developed so that they are able to contribute to ECRE's goals through maintaining effective channels of communication, consultation and delegation
Ensure sound financial management of the ECRE secretariat and wider ECRE network, including working with the Finance and Administration manager to ensure that ECRE respects its legal obligations under Belgian law.
Ensure that ECRE’s publications are high quality and professionally produced, through drafting, reviewing and providing input during development
Ensure the visibility of ECRE and dissemination of its work through maintaining extensive reach across the website, social media and the press
Financial management: Ensure resources are in place and used effectively to carry out the strategy
• Knowledge of policies, laws and conventions applying to refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons and the politics of refugee policy in Europe
The Director will be expected to demonstrate the following:
Committed to working with and for those seeking international protection (candidates with a refugee background are particularly encouraged to apply)
Committed to equality of opportunities and able to work effectively and sensitively in a multi-cultural environment
Acts honesty and with the highest levels of integrity
Ability to respond rapidly and effectively to urgent challenges
Able to work outside of standard office hours when required, and to travel regularly, mainly
in Europe
Leadership
Substantial experience at senior management level
Track record of leading a network or an organization
Identifies strategic challenges and solutions
Demonstrates vision and creativity in responding to changing situations
Demonstrates initiative and adaptability
Utilizes an individual-centered approach to internal and external activities
Political awareness
In-depth knowledge of EU institutions, policy-making dynamics and advocacy strategies to effectively influence decision-making at the European level.
Sound understanding of national and international political systems and public administration.
Experience of working within an international context
Familiarity with the role of civil society and non-governmental organizations
High level of intellectual and analytical skills necessary for dealing with complex and detailed
policy issues
Communication and personal skills
Confident and persuasive orally with excellent presentation skills
Sensitive to cultural differences, diplomatic and skilled at negotiating
Fluent in written and spoken English as the usual working language.
Knowledge of French is considered important.
Good knowledge of any other languages is desirable.
Ability to work under pressure and to deliver under/to tight deadlines
Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills and the experience of working effectively with
committees
Management skills
Supports achievement of collective goals by setting clear objectives for self and others
Shows flexibility and can adapt to the needs of the situation
Solid experience in the effective management of people
Able to use management information systems and IT effectively
Financial and Resource Management
An excellent understanding and experience of fundraising
Experience in resource planning and management
Experienced and confident in analyzing, managing and explaining complex budgets
Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on Globaljobs.org
