Assistant Executive Director (Services & Operations), Children & Youth Group

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

The Salvation Army has been touching lives in Singapore since 1935 and we remain committed in serving the underprivileged in the community without discrimination. To us, every life is precious and we actively help those in need regardless of age, race or religion.

Throughout the years, we have established a comprehensive network of social services to meet a wide range of needs in our community. Our diverse programmes reach out to children who need care and protection, families in material need, ailing aged requiring quality nursing care and other needy segments in our society.

Our spiritual ministry also reaches out to the people in the community to provide counsel to those in need. We are there to help guide those in need towards finding their identity and purpose in life.

About The Salvation Army (Singapore)

Since 1935, The Salvation Army has stood as a pillar of hope and transformation in Singapore. Today, its Children and Youth Group (CYG) continues that legacy by serving hundreds of vulnerable children and youth annually - providing preventive programmes, foster care, residential services, and reunification support.

Guided by the belief that every child matters and thrives best in a family setting, CYG offers a comprehensive continuum of care, including:

• Gracehaven, The Haven - Residential care for children and youth
• Gracehaven Fostering and Befriender for Families - Foster care services and family reunification support
• Kids in Play - Child development and engagement programmes
• Youth Development Centre - Life skills and development support
• Youth Mental Health Support - Psychosocial and emotional care for youth

The core values of CYG are Compassion, Collaboration, Resilience, Spirit of Excellence, Integrity, Genuine Care.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Opportunity

We are seeking a visionary and strategic Assistant Executive Director (AED) to join our senior leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of Singapore's most respected mission-driven organisations. Reporting to the Executive Director, the AED plays a critical role in ensuring our professionalised services are well run and transforming lives.

Job Description

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Responsible to: Executive Director, Children & Youth Group under the direction of Director, Social & Community Services (Singapore)

FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• All Staff Members
• The Salvation Army Territorial / Regional Headquarters
• Ministry of Social and Family, and any other Government Agencies associated with the Children and Youth Group

DIRECT SUPERVISION OF:

Community and Mental Health and Residential Services of the Children & Youth Group

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

Premised on the mandate and mission of the Children and Youth Group, the AED works closely with the ED and is responsible for The Salvation Army's services relating to children and youth matters. Building upon this responsibility, the AED is to assist the ED in ensuring that services are able to serve their target groups well, work with teams on gathering practice insights to improve and review services in order for better client outcomes and grow capability. The AED will also need to look into long term financial sustainability and day-to-day operational matters of the Group.

Taking into account that 60-70% of children and youth served by CYG have a history of child abuse or neglect and 20-30% of children are from incarcerated families, the AED will need to be a professional who has experience in managing social services. Some aspects of this diverse portfolio include: drive organisational development initiatives (including culture development and employee engagement), service and professional capability development, provide lead in operational planning and priority setting, undertake special projects, manage employee relations (which includes but not limited to talent attraction, recruitment, identification, development and retention), enhance stakeholder engagement (which includes strengthening relationships with partners, regulators (MSF, NCSS), and community networks), and conduct oversight in monitoring operating and capital budgets.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

OVERSIGHT OF CYG SERVICES

1. Provide leadership and oversight over day to day operations of CYG's social services to ensure that needs of clients as well as key stakeholders are met. This will include providing guidance on professional issues, incident management and administrative and funding matters.
   
   
2. Provide leadership in operational planning, priority setting and evaluation in the context of the group's strategic plan, ensuring that CYG management staff and other stakeholder, are appropriately engaged to ensure a good combination of ground insights with strategic thinking.

1. Undertake organisational development initiatives and maintain a conducive trauma-informed culture to enable excellent work. Responsible for shepherding the morale, well-being and discipline of the staff of the group.

1. Work in cooperation with the ED and Director, Social and Community Services (Singapore) on wide ranging matters including the establishment and evaluation of annual manpower plans, budgets and other strategic matters.

1. Assist in making critical business decisions by analysing and presenting key strategic data to ED and Director, Social & Community Services. Oversight the preparation of operating and capital budgets. Analyse trends, possible improvements, areas of risks, financing and any key issues relating to the business and provide recommendation for improvements, including the reduction of inefficiencies or reconfiguring of resources.

1. As part of the Leadership Team, issue and undertake responsibilities as needed.
   
   

UPHOLDING STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of CYG services; ensuring that all legislative requirements are met and contractual obligations with government grants are fulfilled and that policies and procedures are consistently applied in all departments to uphold a high level of service standards.

1. Lead the development and formulation of operational policies and procedures, ensuring timely analysis and compliance of government legislation and policies as well as internal corporate policies and requirements.

1. Where required, serve as key negotiator / broker / advocate / lobbyist to ensure that policies, standards and requirements are in line with the mission of The Salvation Army and that they serve the best interest of the children and youths that are cared for by the group.

1. Review and assess the audit findings from the auditors. Ensure that all exceptions and issues are addressed accurately by the appropriate finance and accounting staff members. Coordinate and lead the process of addressing the review and assessment of the audit findings.

1. Bears responsibility for all aspects related to operational and financial management, including upholding of licensing standards, adherence to contractual agreements, managing budgets, and forecasting; developing a robust financial management and reporting system; effectively communicating critical financial matters to key stakeholders; overseeing all financial, project / program and grants accounting, ensuring that the group's financial practices are in line with HQ-established policies and with all relevant statutory regulations and legislation.

RELATIONS MANAGEMENT

1. Be able to uphold credible representation of The Salvation Army and its interests relating to the children and youth sphere in all circles and spaces.

1. Being a top level leader of the group, the AED is responsible for assisting the ED and Director, Social & Community Services in cultivating internal buy-ins (including internal communication and engagement) of staff and other stakeholders towards mission and priorities of the group.

1. Responsible for cultivating and building key donor, volunteer, supporter and strategic relations. (While fund raising is not a core component of the job scope, it is nonetheless a relevant indicator of influence.)

1. Responsible to ensure timely response to feedback, complaints and compliments by working together with the Regional Headquarters for issues which involve the residents or clients.

1. Responsible for strengthening relationships with partners, regulators (MSF, NCSS), and community networks.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To undertake other duties as and when required and consistent with the position.
2. Develop business continuity plan and succession management for department concerned.
3. Work in tandem with various Supporting Business Units of Singapore Regional Headquarters to ensure effective workflow processes.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Social Work, Counselling, Psychology, or related fields.

1. Minimum 10 years of experience in social services or residential care, with substantial leadership or supervisory responsibilities, and clear experience with direct social services for vulnerable groups. Those without experience with direct social services need not apply.
2. Strong experience in strategic planning, operations management, and/or programme development preferred.
3. Experience working with vulnerable children and families preferred.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned, mission-driven leader with a track record of success in complex organisational environments:

1. A strong leader, strategic thinker and problem-solver with sound judgement.
2. An empathetic, people-centred leader who is a culture developer and inspires and uplifts teams.
3. A skilled communicator and collaborator with strong stakeholder management abilities.
4. Grounded in strong personal values and emotional maturity.
5. Good record of impactful leadership in the social sector.

Working Location

The Salvation Army

Children and Youth Group - Gracehaven Children's Home

3 Lorong Napiri Singapore 547528

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