Descripción del cargo
Fulbright Colombia, the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States and Colombia, whose mission is to promote intercultural knowledge, scientific and research cooperation and development through advanced training of leaders with a high degree of social commitment, is searching for its EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR to be based in Bogotá, Colombia.
If you are a U.S. or Colombian citizen with all of the following:
- Ten years of professional experience, with at least five years in management positions;
- Experience working with educational and government institutions;
- Knowledge and experience in protocols and quality systems and / or Integrated Management Systems;
- Experience in fundraising;
- Deep understanding of the U.S. and Colombian higher education sectors; and
- Ability to work in Spanish and English
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
Gender: Any
Age: Any
Nationality: Colombian or US citizen
Immediate Supervisor: Board of Directors
Direct Reports: Programs Directorate, Administration and Finance Directorate, Communications Coordination Office, Comptroller, Legal Coordination Office, Community Coordination Office, FAF Management. Total 25 people.
Indirect Reports: Accountant, Accounting support, Financial Coordinator, Logistics, support, Program Coordinators, Academic Advisor, Program support professionals, Public affairs support professionals, FAF support professional, General services assistant. Location: Bogotá
% of travel required: 25% of the time, domestic and to the United States
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Purpose of the Position
- Represent the Board of Directors in the strategic planning and operations of Fulbright Colombia and direct the design, execution and evaluation of the programs under the cooperation framework between the US and Colombian governments, according to the Bylaws of the Commission and the Manual on Binational Commissions of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State
Duties of the Position
- Act as legal representative of the Commission, as well as represent the Commission in judicial, administrative, academic, social and other acts.
- Direct long-term program planning and develop the annual program proposal and budget recommendations for review and approval by the Board of Directors.
- Direct the evaluation, selection and placement of scholars.
- Plan the orientation seminars and return programs of the scholars.
- Monitor the personal well-being of US scholars in Colombia and the personal well-being of Colombian scholars in the US (through ECA and other cooperating agencies when applicable).
- Prepare a report of the Commission’s activities in terms of planning agreements and expansion of programs for each fiscal year for the approval of the Board of Directors.
- Establish and maintain working and collaborative relationships with government entities, in addition to the US embassy and the Colombian Foreign Ministry, educational institutions, cooperation agencies responsible for administering programs in the United States and private organizations in both countries.
- Supervise the "Broad Mandate" activities approved by the Board of Directors.
- When applicable, coordinate development and fundraising activities approved by the Board of Directors in compliance with the guidelines established by the State Department and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
- Establish the Commission’s general rules and procedures.
- Appoint, supervise and train the Commission’s senior staff.
- Supervise the Commission’s accounting management.
- Ensure the timely and efficient execution of the Commission's resources.
- Follow up on the implementation of the Commission’s annual budget.
- Review and certify the payments to be made, as well as the vouchers for disbursements of Commission funds.
- Establish an internal control system that guarantees, with a good level of certainty, that the use of the funds complies with the rules, laws and policies established for this purpose; that the funds are exempt from misuse, onerosity and loss; and reliable data are obtained, maintained and included in the reports.
- Supervise the preparation and timely presentation of financial, statistical and management reports to the Board of Directors and sponsor governments.
- Execute an annual contract with an audit entity to review the financial and management operations of the Commission in accordance with the guidelines set by the Board of Directors.
- Establish a permanent report of the Commission’s fixed assets.
- Obtain sufficient insurance coverage to protect the Commission from third-party liability regarding buildings, operation of vehicles owned by the Commission and against property losses due to fire, theft, and other causes, including collective life and funeral policies for payroll employees.
- Coordinate program initiatives with the US Embassy in Colombia and Fulbright alumni of the US Department of State.
- Maintain discretion, confidentiality, secrecy and loyalty to the Commission and the Foundation in the performance of its functions and beyond, refraining from revealing any secret or confidential information.
- Maintain and keep in good condition the work items delivered by the Commission for the performance of the position and return them when the term is completed.
- Comply with the Internal Labor Regulations established by the Commission.
- Comply with the guidelines and the document management policy adopted by the Commission, for the control of records, implementing for this purpose the archival instruments defined by the organization.
- Comply with the user service protocols established by the Commission, in accordance with the customer approach defined by the Comprehensive Management System.
Implementation and maintenance of the Comprehensive Management System
- Assume responsibility and accountability regarding the effectiveness of the management system, ensuring that quality policy and objectives are established and that these are compatible with the context and strategic direction of the organization.
- Assign and communicate responsibilities to workers regarding occupational safety and health within the framework of their duties, guaranteeing the consultation and participation of workers in the identification of hazards and risk control, as well as their participation through the Joint Committee for Occupational Health and Safety and the Labor Coexistence Committee, thus ensuring compliance.
- At least once a year assess the safety and health at work management and implement the necessary corrective measures for the fulfillment of goals and objectives, as well as for the management of the risks identified within the organization.
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE (IT, methodologies, etc.)
- Leadership, administration, strategic thinking, supervision and personnel management skills
- Professional experience in senior management, in the education sector, government, international relations, development or public administration, or related is preferable
- Knowledge and experience in protocols and quality systems and / or Comprehensive Management Systems
- Fundraising
- Knowledge of the education sector in Colombia and the United States
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Leadership: Guide and lead teams and establish and maintain the necessary team cohesion to achieve organizational objectives.
- Decision-making (decisive thinking): Choose between one or several alternatives to solve a problem or address a situation, committing to concrete actions consistent with the decision.
- Negotiation: Ability to reach and seek agreements based on a win-win philosophy, achieving the solution to problems, conflicts or differences.
- Sales approach: Ability to perceive the needs of users, guaranteeing their satisfaction, taking into account the guidelines of the context and strategic projection.
- Able to develop and maintain senior level relationships, generate an impact and influence others.
- Group management / assistance to scholars or students.
COMPENSATION
Compensation is negotiable and commensurate with professional experience.
