Executive Officer (EO), ITREB for Syria @ Aga Khan Development Network

Role  and Responsibilities

ITREB Secretariat:
•    Work with the Board to ensure efficient and effective performance of the administrative, fiscal, and programmatic deliverables of the Institution.
•    Participate in / contribute to the development of strategic plans. Translate the strategic goals into operational plans, programme activities, financial budgets and other performance metrics. Oversee the preparation of the annual objectives, strategies and budgets.
•    Analyse and prepare quarterly, mid-year and annual reports on the progress and results of programme and administrative activities and submit them to the Board. Ensure the accuracy of reports on access, expenditure of financial resources and programme / operational reporting and procurement. 
•    Ensure all correspondence (from DJI, IIS, ITREBs, Council, etc.) is reviewed and draft responses put for consideration by the Chairman and/or Honorary Secretary.
•    Participate in Board meetings. Ensure timely preparation and circulation of meeting agendas and minutes, and follow-up of matters arising.
•    Administer and manage the activities of the ITREB’s secretariat.
•    Serve as the Institutional memory and the point of reference for the continuity of the functions, operations, and services of the ITREB. Coordinate the transition and handover process from one leadership team to the next, during the appointment cycles.
 
Human Resource Management:
•    Ensure that the ITREB’s organizational infrastructure and deployment of its human resources
are aligned with Board’s approved operating plans.
•    To work in close collaboration with the STEP Teacher to ensure that the mandate of the STEP programme is appropriately imparted and the Access hours are offered to the eligible Secondary Student population.
•    Encourage and support the spirit of volunteerism.

Programme Oversight and Management:
•    Analyse the needs and make recommendations to improve implementation of the programmes and activities related to the religious education 
•    To ensure that the overall and specific targets for access to quality religious education for the various segments achieved and improved upon. This includes timely reporting on a quarterly basis to DJI on RE.
•    Responsible for maintaining credible and updated Management Information System in respect of all the functions of ITREB and provide analytical reports.
•    Manage the ITREB’s educational system to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness. The library operations and the ITREB Stall to be managed in an efficient and effective manner.

Institutional Collaboration:
•    Work closely and collaboratively with counterparts at the National Council, GRB, National CAB to ensure synergy in programmatic and administrative activities and support the implementation of cross-institutional initiatives (such as capacity-building).
•    Provide support to the Board by building strong relationships with the DJI, Institute of Ismaili Studies, AKDN agencies in-country, and with other ITREBs in the region and internationally.

Others:
•    Any assignment in addition to above as requested by the Office Bearers, and will maintain close liaison with all the National Board members.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Attributes
The candidate must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in a management position preferably in an education or non-profit context. The EO acts in a leadership capacity to the professional and voluntary staff and is a representative of ITREB Syria. The candidate must have the ability to lead teams and develop ITREB Syria staff; and, from time to time, to represent the ITREB in various national and international fora. The role requires strengths in strategic thinking as well as operational management.

Academic Credentials:
•    A Master’s degree in management, business administration, education administration or related field is a minimum requirement. Qualification in Islamic Studies, humanities, HR Management and / or an accounting designation is an added advantage.
 
Language Proficiency:
•    Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Arabic is required or a willingness to learn the language.

Disposition:
•    Candidate should be personally committed to the substance of the  Institutions’ mission, value and ethics.
•    Candidate should possess an understanding and appreciation institutional processes, including the understanding of working within the voluntary leadership; must have a strong passion to make substantial contribution to the progress of the  institutions.
•    Candidate should have the ability to deal with confidential matters discreetly and should approach executive responsibilities within the highest degree of personal and professional integrity, empathy and sensitivity.

Skills and Attributes:
Essential:

• Familiarity with and empathy for diverse cultures and communities, including an understanding of cultural diversity within them
•  Deep sense of responsibility, sound judgement and discretion.
• Good inter-personal skills in dealing with senior leaders, volunteers and staff in the system.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, supportive, and collaborative working relationships with internal team members, and leaders.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate professional and volunteer team members from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing projects and capacity to be effective through collaboration and teamwork.
• Well-organized, goal-oriented, data-driven, self-motivated, able to multi-task, pays attention to detail, a “can do” attitude and a problem-solving mindset.
•  A track record of delivering projects and results within deadlines. 
• Good analytical and financial skills. Comfort in working with financial information, budgets, non-financial metrics and their interpretation.
• Experience in setting, attaining, and/or measuring performance indicators and outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills. 
• Comfort with public speaking in front of small groups and wider audiences.
• Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel and database management.

Desirable:

• Institutional and volunteer experience.
• Awareness of the provisions of the Constitution and prior experience with the religious education