Mission
The Contract Management & Liaison unit functions as the primary point of contact between Member Associations (MA’s) and the International Development Support (IDS) teams. This team oversees the entire support delivery process, encompassing planning, contract execution, coordination of implementation, and subsequent follow-up activities. It ensures that the needs expressed by MA’s are accurately translated into well-defined support requests, secure funding agreements, and clearly outlined capacity availability. By maintaining a comprehensive perspective on all MA engagements, the team facilitates seamless coordination across various support areas and fosters consistent relationship management with MA’s. The objective is to guarantee that MA’s receive prompt, cohesive, and high-value support while promoting streamlined planning, adherence to governance standards, compliance, and accurate reporting. Additionally, the team works to cultivate trusted partnerships to advance the broader SOS mission.
The Head of the Contract Management & Liaison (CML) Unit is responsible for providing strategic direction, governance, and oversight of IDS contractual engagements across the federation. This position oversees the federation-wide coordination of strategic support and service agreements, cooperation frameworks, externally funded initiatives, and operational partnership mechanisms involving IDS, Member Associations (MA’s), Promoting & Supporting Associations (SAS), donors, and internal functions.
This role oversees the comprehensive IDS engagement, managing Member Association liaison frameworks, coordinating support planning initiatives, capturing demand processes, and providing strategic portfolio oversight. Additionally, it ensures the implementation of robust governance structures, coordinates operational escalation protocols, and oversees digital contract management systems.
This role serves as a pivotal liaison and relationship management position within IDS, harmonizing alignment between federation priorities, IDS objectives, member needs, contractual obligations, operational execution, financial viability, and stakeholder engagement. In close collaboration with the IDS Leadership Team, the position delivers strategic advisory expertise to the COO and senior leadership, addressing contracting frameworks, MA engagement dynamics, service demand optimization, operational risk mitigation, delivery alignment, and partnership sustainability throughout the federation ecosystem.
This position spearheads the advancement of the federation’s unified contract management ecosystem, encompassing governance frameworks, digital solutions, reporting structures, demand capture methodologies, coordinated support planning, and strategic portfolio oversight.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of duties and obligations, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and standards. Perform essential functions with precision, including strategic planning, operational coordination, and compliance adherence. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement across all assigned projects. Maintain meticulous documentation, reporting, and analysis to support data-driven decision-making and performance optimization. Actively participate in team meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and contribute to collective success. Uphold ethical guidelines, company policies, and industry regulations throughout all activities to foster a culture of accountability and integrity.
Strategic leadership and coordination of federation contracting initiatives are essential responsibilities of this role. The position entails overseeing contract negotiations, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, and fostering collaborative relationships across multiple entities. Key requirements include a track record of managing complex contractual agreements, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to drive consensus among diverse stakeholders. Additionally, the role demands expertise in regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and strategic planning to optimize contract outcomes while mitigating potential challenges.
Provide high-level strategic leadership and guidance to the CML unit while overseeing its direction. Direct and supervise a globally dispersed CML team functioning within an intricate international matrix structure.
Deliver strategic leadership, mentorship, and prioritization guidance while ensuring performance standards for MA’s Relationship Advisors, contracting advisors, and coordination personnel.
Provide strategic guidance to the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Board, and IDS Leadership Team regarding contractual governance, operational alignment, and Member Association relationships.
Foster seamless collaboration and strategic alignment among IDS, MA’s, SAS, donors, and internal support systems to ensure cohesive operations and shared objectives.
Deliver insightful strategic analysis, comprehensive briefing materials, thorough risk assessments, and sophisticated scenario modeling to aid leadership in making informed decisions.
Experienced professionals are sought to lead and oversee the strategic development, implementation, and governance of contract portfolios. This role requires a deep understanding of contract lifecycle management, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies. Responsibilities include establishing robust governance frameworks, ensuring adherence to organizational policies, and driving continuous improvement in contract processes. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, exceptional negotiation abilities, and a proven track record in managing complex contractual agreements. Proficiency in contract management software and a solid grasp of legal and financial principles are essential. The position demands meticulous attention to detail, strategic thinking, and the capacity to align contract activities with broader business objectives.
Oversee the IDS agreement portfolio strategically, encompassing Support Domain Agreements (SDA), Cooperation Agreements (CA), Externally Funded Agreements (EFA), and Actual Use Agreements (AU) frameworks.
Effectively coordinate the full lifecycle of agreements, encompassing demand capture, planning, implementation, amendments, monitoring, reporting, and closure to ensure seamless execution and compliance throughout each phase.
Responsible for managing contract governance, ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and facilitating escalation processes across various types of agreements.
Collaborate with Legal, Finance, MA IDS Leads, and operational teams to align on strategic contractual matters and governance decisions.
Facilitate the establishment of standardized, streamlined, and continually enhanced contracting and engagement processes throughout the IDS organization.
Capture demand, plan services, and coordinate operations with precision and efficiency.
Orchestrate the comprehensive, organization-wide coordination of the IDS demand capture and support planning initiatives.
Strategically align MA demand with operational capacity, resource availability, funding projections, and service delivery priorities to ensure cohesive and effective execution.
Conduct scenario planning and operational modelling to assess funding risks, monitor MA participation trends, and evaluate service sustainability.
Optimize support catalogues, service packages, operational coordination models, and engagement frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Medical Assistants specializing in Liaison and Relationship Management serve as pivotal connectors between healthcare providers, patients, and administrative teams, ensuring seamless communication and coordination across all stakeholders. They are responsible for maintaining and strengthening professional relationships, facilitating smooth workflows, and addressing any concerns or discrepancies in patient care or documentation. Additionally, they may oversee appointment scheduling, verify patient information accuracy, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Spearhead the strategic oversight of relationship management and liaison frameworks, fostering collaboration between IDS and Member Associations within the federation.
Act as the primary senior liaison for National Directors, MA leadership teams, Plus, and essential federation stakeholders, focusing on IDS services, support structures, and operational alignment.
Ensure proactive engagement, ongoing communication, and consistent follow-up to maintain strong relationships with MA’s throughout the entire process of support planning, contract execution, implementation coordination, issue escalation management, and post-delivery service follow-up.
Identify and address potential relationship risks, operational issues, funding uncertainties, dissatisfaction trends, and escalation cases early on to ensure effective management. Proactively intervene in cases requiring leadership attention to mitigate challenges and maintain stability.
Spearheading digital transformation initiatives and driving operational excellence are central to this role. The position demands expertise in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to optimize workflows, enhance productivity, and deliver measurable business outcomes. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in change management, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making to navigate complex organizational transitions effectively. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration skills are essential to align teams and stakeholders toward shared objectives. Additionally, the ability to identify emerging trends, mitigate risks, and foster a culture of continuous innovation will be critical to sustained success.
Design, develop, and implement dashboards, Power BI reports, analytics tools, portfolio insights, and management information systems, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and user requirements.
Spearhead modernization and digital transformation efforts focused on contract lifecycle management, stakeholder engagement, service monitoring, workflow automation, electronic signature solutions, and reporting infrastructure.
Facilitate the deployment of unified digital platforms designed to enhance operational coordination, streamline contract governance, monitor effort tracking, and optimize portfolio management.
Drive operational excellence by enhancing processes, streamlining workflows, and establishing scalable and standardized frameworks to optimize federation engagement and coordination activities.
To maintain safeguarding standards and foster a secure environment for all individuals, the role involves upholding essential protocols and ensuring compliance with established safety measures.
As an employee or representative of SOS Children’s Villages, your role involves fostering and sustaining a secure and nurturing environment for both staff members and the individuals—children, young people, and adult participants—who are supported and guided through our programs. Your responsibilities include:
Uphold the Code of Conduct consistently and continually assess the safeguarding implications associated with your responsibilities to ensure ongoing compliance and ethical practice.
Engage collaboratively in team meetings to assess potential risks and contribute insights on proactive and corrective measures and strategies.
Incorporate safeguarding principles into your routine decisions and activities consistently.
Any safeguarding concerns must be reported without delay and in strict accordance with established protocols.
Foster a culture rooted in core values, uphold accountability at all levels, and enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy toward harm.
Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Development, Law, Finance, or a closely related discipline is required.
A postgraduate diploma or Master’s degree in Contract Management, Procurement, Project Governance, or a closely related discipline is highly advantageous. Additionally, candidates holding professional certifications such as the Contract Management Certification (CCMP) or equivalent credentials, procurement-specific certifications, or recognized project management designations like PMP or PRINCE2 are strongly preferred.
A minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant experience is required, with a minimum of 4+ years in senior leadership or Lead/Head of Unit roles within international NGOs, donor-funded programs, or other international organizations.
Candidates should possess a strong background in contract management, procurement, office management, or business administration, ideally gained within international NGOs or donor-funded programs.
Skilled in preparing, negotiating, and administering contracts in adherence to donor-specific regulations and internal organizational policies.
Proven expertise in executing compliance assessments, pinpointing potential risks, and implementing corrective actions to mitigate identified issues.
Responsibilities include evaluating financial coordination activities, such as verifying budgets and analyzing the cost impacts of contractual decisions.
Proficient in financial management methodologies, encompassing impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and the oversight of budgetary considerations tied to contractual resolutions.
Proven expertise in collaborating on risk management initiatives and ensuring audit preparedness, with a focus on establishing and maintaining compliance frameworks and facilitating contract audit processes.
Proficient in computer-aided design (CAD) software, including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and CARIA, with an advanced understanding of modeling, assembly, and parametric design techniques. Experience with finite element analysis (FEW) tools, such as ANSIs or ABACUS, to evaluate structural integrity and simulate real-world performance. Knowledgeable in computer numerical control (CNC) programming and machining processes, ensuring precision in manufacturing components. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or MATLAB for data analysis, automation, and algorithm development. Adept at using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, reporting, and presentations. Excellent problem-solving abilities combined with meticulous attention to detail to identify and resolve technical challenges efficiently.
Contract lifecycle management and compliance entails ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies throughout every stage of the contractual process. Candidates must possess expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, and execution, alongside a deep understanding of compliance frameworks and risk mitigation strategies. Responsibilities include overseeing contract creation, approval workflows, and renewal processes, as well as monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements to minimize organizational exposure to risk. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in contract management software are essential for success in this role.
Contract drafting, coordination, and negotiation responsibilities require an intermediate level of expertise, encompassing the preparation, organization, and facilitation of contractual agreements. This role involves collaborating with stakeholders to ensure terms are accurately documented, reviewing legal provisions for clarity and compliance, and engaging in discussions to resolve potential disputes or finalize terms. Candidates should possess foundational knowledge of contract law, strong attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external parties.
Proficiently navigates negotiations and resolves disputes within complex, multi-stakeholder settings at an intermediate level.
Crafting and managing contract amendments and renewal processes are key responsibilities at an intermediate level. This role involves effectively administering modifications to existing agreements and overseeing their extensions, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and legal standards. Proficiency in negotiating terms, updating contractual documentation, and maintaining accurate records is essential, along with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders to align amendments and renewals with business objectives. A solid understanding of contract lifecycle management and strong attention to detail are required to support seamless transitions and mitigate risks.
Intermediate compliance and governance frameworks play a pivotal role in ensuring organizational adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies. This role involves understanding and implementing industry-specific standards, managing risks, and maintaining documentation to support compliance efforts. Key responsibilities include monitoring changes in regulations, conducting audits, and providing guidance to stakeholders to mitigate potential risks. Proficiency in relevant frameworks, strong analytical skills, and meticulous attention to detail are essential for success in this position.
Proficiency in platforms for e-signatures and workflow automation, such as DocuSign and Adobe Sign, is required, with a foundational understanding suitable for beginners.
We are seeking candidates with strong interpersonal abilities, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, along with a collaborative mindset. Proficiency in communication, both written and verbal, is essential for effectively engaging with stakeholders at all levels. The ideal applicant demonstrates resilience in dynamic environments and a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Additionally, a customer-focused approach and the capacity to work well in team settings are highly valued.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities are essential, enabling you to cultivate meaningful connections and effectively engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
Ensures precise management and strict compliance of assigned contracts, demonstrating full accountability and ownership throughout the process.
Proven ability to navigate intricate negotiations with a high degree of professionalism and strategic insight.
Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities are essential to navigate and resolve intricate, ambiguous challenges effectively.
Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational abilities to uphold accuracy, ensure compliance, and facilitate timely project completion.
Proven expertise in cross-cultural collaboration, enabling seamless integration and high performance within diverse, international teams.
Thrives in dynamic environments with shifting priorities, demonstrating flexibility and resilience in responding to evolving demands and circumstances.
Proficiency in emotional intelligence, demonstrated through the capacity to discern and appropriately address the viewpoints of others in a constructive manner, is essential.
Demonstrates a strong capacity to meet contractual key performance indicators (KPIs), adhere to specified timelines, and uphold compliance requirements.
Ways of working include flexible hours, hybrid work environments, and the ability to collaborate both independently and in team settings. Employees are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism while adapting to evolving project demands. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for success in this role. The position may require occasional travel or participation in virtual meetings outside standard business hours. A commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on industry trends is also expected.
Global collaboration and communication entails seamless interaction across diverse countries, cultures, and time zones, ensuring clarity, transparency, and mutual comprehension within dispersed teams.
Cross-functional teamwork is essential, as you’ll regularly partner with colleagues from diverse departments and specialized fields to integrate expertise, address challenges through collective effort, and achieve results that advance the organization’s strategic objectives.
Effective collaboration in matrix environments entails working constructively within both solid and dotted reporting lines, fostering transparent communication, aligning priorities with line and functional managers, and clarifying roles, responsibilities, and expectations to facilitate seamless coordination across teams.
Remaining agile and responsive in dynamic environments, this role requires the ability to adapt strategies, collaboration methods, and priorities in alignment with shifting project demands, service requirements, or organizational needs.
Demonstrating ownership and accountability involves accepting full responsibility for driving tasks and projects forward, proactively resolving challenges, and ensuring all commitments, decisions, and actions reach successful completion. Rather than relying on guidance, it requires taking initiative within your defined role to maintain momentum and deliver results.
Strengthening the autonomy and capabilities of member associations hinges on fostering knowledge exchange and collaborative learning. By disseminating critical insights, practical tools, and key takeaways from implemented projects and services, member associations gain valuable perspectives. This empowers them to enhance their operational strength and self-sufficiency through continuous improvement and shared expertise.
Fostering a culture of open communication and data-driven insights is essential, as it empowers teams and stakeholders to engage in constructive feedback, reflect on performance, and drive sustained improvements in their work and overall impact.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Diploma , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
8 - 10 years
