Chief Executive Officer

Founded in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages International is the world’s largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it. Child neglect, abuse and abandonment is everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. Locally led, SOS Children’s Villages International (CVI) works in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person’s best interests, SOS CVI provides quality care according to their unique needs. Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people and families, SOS CVI enables children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. The organisation speaks up for each child’s rights and advocates for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.

SOS Children's Villages International's General Secretariat, with offices in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America provides services to member associations, develops and monitors federation quality standards, and represents the federation in international communications and forums.

**The Umbrella Organization, SOS CVI**

SOS CVI operates global support functions for the Federation through two key units: the Federation Secretariat Unit (FSC) and the International Development Support Unit (IDS). Both units are funded via different funding streams:
**Federation Secretariat Unit (FSC)**

The FSC drives impact, fosters trust, and ensures alignment by providing standardized governance and organizational support to uphold and manage the Federation. Given the nature of its work, the FSC is fully funded by Membership Fees.

**International Development Support Unit (IDS)**

The IDS facilitates the development and sharing of evidence, innovation, and standards to help Members enhance the impact and scale of their national programs while strengthening their organizational capacity and self-sufficiency. It also delivers programs in CVI-managed countries and at the supranational level. As a result, IDS activities are primarily funded through project-based funding.

**The Executive Board of SOS CVI**

The CEO / FSC lead, and the CPO / IDS lead jointly constitute the Executive Board (EB) of SOS CVI and work together to deliver the responsibilities of CVI. The EB co-chairs the soon-to-be-formed International Management Team (“IMT”), which is a mix of top senior leaders convening for decision making purpose.

The CEO / FSC lead is the spokesperson of the Executive Board. Their primary responsibility is to lead the FSC in achieving its mission and objectives, support the Governing bodies of CVI, strengthen the cohesion amongst members of the Federation, facilitate and encourage Members to contribute to the Federation’s ability to achieve their common purpose, facilitate development of the Federation’s strategic direction, identify risks and opportunities where applicable to the Federation as a whole and to represent the Federation in global spaces.

The CEO / FSC lead needs to be an excellent communicator and collaborator; a person being able to use their soft power and influence in managing The Federation Secretariat Unit to ensure it is a well-functioning and effective secretariat in supporting the Federation and its members. The CEO / FSC lead has a key role in strengthening the cohesion amongst Members and between Members and CVI and in bringing them in alignment with common vision, mission and values. The CEO / FSC lead needs vision, courage and sensitivity to stand up for the mission and vision of SOS CVI and to unite Members, staff, partners and donors around it, as well as to represent SOS CVI externally.

As the CEO / FSC lead and CPO / IDS lead are jointly the Executive Board of SOS CVI, it requires extremely good collegial and complementary leadership. Together they co-chair the soon-to-be-formed International Management Team (“IMT”)

Skills, experience and a strong track record with managing organisational budgets, staff, members and external relations at this level would be a requirement for SOS CVI’s new CEO / FSC lead.

**Location**: Vienna (Austria), with frequent travel to Member Countries. A work permit for Austria is preferred.

**Salary**: In line with INGO standards

**Mission**

The CEO and the CPO / IDS Lead jointly constitute the Executive Board of SOS Children’s Villages International (CVI). The CEO is the spokesperson of the Executive Board. The CEO’s primary responsibility is to lead the FSC in achieving its mission and objectives, support the Governing bodies of CVI, strengthen the cohesion amongst members of the Federation, facilitate and encourage Members to contribute to the Federation’s ability to achieve their common purpose, facilitate development of the Federation’s strategic direction, identify risks and opportunities where applicable to the Federation as a whole and to represent the Fede