Country Director

Reporting to: East Asia Regional Office Director (International Secretariat), with matrix reporting to the Chair of AI Taiwan

Manages: Six direct reports             

Location: Taipei, Taiwan

Conditions: Permanent

Salary: Competitive salary & benefits package

Background

Amnesty International (AI) is a global movement of more than 7 million people supporters, members and activists in over 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.
 
Amnesty International Taiwan is the Taiwan section of the global Amnesty movement. The first Amnesty group in Taiwan was established in 1989, shortly after the lifting of Martial Law, and our section was formally registered as a national NGO in 1994. The mission of Amnesty International Taiwan is to give Taiwanese people a chance to join together with like-minded individuals around the world to work for human rights for all people everywhere. We believe that actions taken by Taiwanese people are not only a precious addition to the global efforts to promote and protect human rights, but they deepen the commitment to human rights values among Taiwanese society.

Purpose of the role     

The Director will drive Amnesty International’s ambitious plans to grow the human rights movement in Taiwan.  (S)he will promote an organizational vision for substantially increasing Amnesty International’s profile and presence in Taiwan that inspires staff, volunteers, members, donors, partners, and potential supporters of AI Taiwan.

The Director will lead AI Taiwan’s contribution to the strategic direction of the global Amnesty International movement through a solid programme of fundraising, campaigning, communications, mobilization and activism.  (S)he will develop and implement strategies, plans and budgets for human rights impact in-country and globally, delivered by a strong and stable Amnesty International presence in Taiwan.

A key focus of the Director’s role is to secure the financial self-sufficiency of AI Taiwan.  Working closely with AI Taiwan’s Fundraising Manager, and with the International Secretariat’s Global Fundraising Directorate, the Director will further the growth strategy, and develop the nascent individual giving programme, to meet AI Taiwan’s revenue goals.  The Director will manage fundraising campaigns at a strategic level, and may be required to be practically involved in some areas. (S)he will ensure monitoring and reporting systems are in place and that fundraising campaigns are conducted in alignment with ethical standards for fundraising and marketing of Amnesty International and Taiwan.

The Director will collaborate closely with the East Asia Regional Office and will promote a culture of engagement across the movement to model One Amnesty and its benefits. 

Key duties and responsibilities

• Develop and lead the strategic direction, operational objectives and financial plan aligned with movement’s priorities and planning/monitoring/evaluation cycle, in consultation with the International Secretariat and Board of AI Taiwan.
• Implement a multi-year growth strategy for Amnesty International Taiwan to deliver agreed fundraising targets, including through individual donor recruitment, retention and development strategies, and potential major funders.
• Monitor and analyze fundraising activities against agreed targets and take appropriate actions to build on success and manage risk; ensure compliance with all relevant fundraising regulations and legal issues as they relate to donor fundraising activities in Taiwan.
• Ensure AI Taiwan delivers strategic communications that provides compelling, urgent and emotive stories to enable recruitment and development of individual donors, members, and activists.
• Promote an organizational culture that celebrates innovation, quality, integration and inclusiveness.
• Recruit, develop and manage the performance of staff, in compliance with local employment law, to ensure that plans are delivered on time and according to Amnesty International’s quality standards.
• Oversee financial systems and practices, ensuring financial management, budget preparation, monitoring and quarterly reporting are all performed effectively to inform good quality financial analysis and decisions.
• In coordination with the East Asia Regional Office Director and Chair of AI Taiwan, represent AI Taiwan externally including with the media.
• Maintain a strategic overview of human rights, social, political and economic developments in the country, including civil society developments, to identify strategic opportunities and risks.
• Provide written, verbal and financial reports to the International Secretariat as requested and ensure that the Board of AI Taiwan remains fully informed about the AI Taiwan’s affairs.
• Responsible for overall health, and safety and security of the office and staff.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 3-5 years senior level leadership and success, preferably in an international organization.
• People and conflict management skills to facilitate internal relationships with staff and volunteer board members, and to negotiate complex relationships with external stakeholders including donors, media and government officials.
• Experience in participatory and inclusive approaches to management, with the ability to listen and learn from diverse perspectives.
• Financial management including setting multi-year budgets, financial monitoring and analysis, and financial reporting.
• Experience of working with and managing fundraising agencies and in-house teams.
• Demonstrated experience speaking to and cultivating relationships with media and donors.
• Exemplary internal and external communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in English and Chinese is desirable.

Personal Qualities and Attributes:

• Personally credible, with a professional demeanor, sound judgment and integrity that generate the trust and confidence of staff and external stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and results-drive; demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Copes well with ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Readiness to report and be accountable.
• Commitment to individual and organizational learning and innovation.

Knowledge of:

• A wide range of fundraising or marketing techniques and activities, preferably in an international organization.
• Organizational development, managing organizational growth and change processes.
• Approaches to strategic thinking and strategy development, and translating strategic concerns goals into operational plans.
• The human rights and socio-political-economic context in Taiwan.
• Amnesty International values, mission and policy positions.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with AI’s principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed.