HuiLi entered our Infant Nurture Program in March of this year. He has an esophageal obstruction and has had an operation. He has sparse hair on his little head, and there is always a smile on his little long face.Careers at Half the Sky
This year, Half the Sky celebrates its 10th year of providing nurturing care for China’s orphaned children.
Half the Sky Foundation was founded in 1998 to enrich the lives and enhance the prospects for orphaned children in China. The organization is based in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Berkeley, California, and it establishes and operates infant nurture and preschool programs for institutionalized children, personalized learning programs for older children, and permanent family care for children with special needs who are not eligible for adoption. In addition, the organization is working with the Chinese government to develop a nation-wide system of training programs and model child development centers. The programs have tremendous impact, currently benefiting children residing in state-run orphanages in multiple locations across China.
As our work expands to serve orphaned children in every one of China's provinces, so does our family. We currently have the following positions available:
DIRECTOR, EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The organization is seeking a committed, experienced, and energetic Chief Financial Officer. Half the Sky is a Berkeley, CA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the US, a registered charitable corporation in Hong Kong, and registrations in the UK, PRC, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands are pending. Offices are in Beijing, Hong Kong and Berkeley. Additional country offices will open post-registration.
The new CFO position offers a unique opportunity for the right person to build the staff, skills, systems, controls, financial and management reporting, and financial infrastructure for the organization as it makes its transition into a truly global NGO. The CFO reports to the Asia-based Founder and Executive Director and should be willing to relocate to Asia. Substantial international travel is required.
Key Responsibilities:
- As a member of the senior management team, help to set and execute a global strategic plan consistent with the organization’s vision and core values.
- Prepare, manage and report on the organization’s $6.7 million annual budget and projected 10% annual growth
- Set and manage procedures, goals and objectives for finance and operations team in home and regional offices
- Develop and implement worldwide financial/accounting policies and internal controls
- Analyze, plan and oversee budgeting and forecasting processes.
- Collaborate with the management team in development of the annual financial plan for presentation to the Board of Directors
- Generate regular financial statements and analyses for the management team and the Board of Directors
- Provide detailed and accessible financial information in support of the development team for proposals and grant reporting.
- In consultation with Board of Directors, develop investment policies and procedures, to ensure maximum return on excess cash while maintaining liquidity, minimizing risk, and providing reserves for long-term liabilities.
- Create, enhance, and manage accounting processes.
- Direct the creation of charitable depositories in support of global tax-deductible contributions
- Direct annual external audits worldwide, including 990 and other filing requirements.
- Collaborate with outside legal counsel to manage the organization’s legal and compliance needs
- Direct exploration and implementation of technology solutions for developing and integrating systems and processes
- Oversee facility and space needs
- Managing direct reports and oversee Finance and Operations team
Critical Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned financial professional who has a passion for the welfare of children and a demonstrated understanding of a global organization. S/he will have managed multiple finance functions including budgeting, treasury, and contract negotiations, and also be a trusted advisor on strategy, governance, and investment. The individual should be senior enough to deal with board directors, major donors, outside advisers (lawyers, auditors, and consultants), government agencies and ministries, and representatives from oversight organizations and other NGOs and to address their concerns from operating and financial perspectives.
Special consideration will be given to those who have a meaningful connection to Chinese culture, and/or children’s advocacy. Fluency in both English and Mandarin is desirable but not requisite. In addition, candidates should also:
- Be a CPA or have equivalent degree
- Have more than 10 years of increasingly responsible financial management experience in a growth environment
- Be an assertive, straightforward, strategic thinker
- Have a disciplined, hands-on, results-focused, and consensus-oriented management style
- Have excellent communication skills and an empowering team leadership style
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with other similarly sized nonprofit organizations and is based on experience. The position offers full benefits and generous vacation and personal time policies.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to careers@ halfthesky.org (spaces removed) with “CFO search” in the subject line. Please include desired salary range in the cover letter. Half the Sky Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
No calls, faxes or drop-in visitors, please.
DIRECTOR, EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Job description coming soon.
DIRECTOR, BIG SISTERS PROGRAM
Half the Sky’s Big Sisters Program provides individualized learning for older children who have not had the benefit of a family's love and a strong early education. Half the Sky offers young people learning opportunities according to their own interests, talents and aspirations. The Director, Big Sisters is responsible for the planning, implementation and assessment of this program.
The Director, Big Sisters position offers a unique opportunity for the right person to build upon the lessons learned in HTS' early years and to work with the organization and welfare institution administrators to bring the most successful aspects of the program to scale. The D-BS reports to the Director of Programs. Substantial travel is required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and provide professional development for HTS Big Sisters staff and institution staff working with adolescents.
- Continually assess the Big Sisters Program in order to refine the structure and lead improvements.
- Visit sites on a regular basis to monitor implementation, to recognize accomplishments, and guide staff in making improvements.
- Supervise a team of Big Sister field supervisors who visit programs regularly and provide professional development opportunities to Institution staff.
- Read progress reports written by children and field supervisors and then provide appropriate feedback.
- Prepare and/or edit program policies and procedures as necessary for the successful implementation of the Big Sisters Program.
- Participate in Big Sisters outreach programs and activities.
- Provide professional development opportunities for field supervisors working in the Big Sisters Program.
- Participate in the development of the training curriculum detailing how to successfully implement a Big Sister Program in Chinese institutions.
- Provide training to Institution staff in Half the Sky model programs on how to successfully implement the Big Sister Program.
- Communicate regularly with Big Sisters mentors found in each institution on how to best implement the program in their sites.
- Evaluate the work of field supervisors and the associate director.
- Write articles for HTS newsletters and other reports as needed.
- Record and summarize how programs are meeting established criteria as observed in program visits and through questioning.
- Work cooperatively with HTS staff in meeting HTS and program goals.
Critical Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional with a background in teaching, counseling, developmental psychology, etc. who has a passion for the welfare of chidren. Previous experience working with institutionalized or abused/neglected children is preferred. S/he will have a meaningful connection to Chinese culture, and/or children’s advocacy. Fluency in both English and Mandarin is desirable but not requisite. In addition, candidates should also have:
- Successful experience supervising or directing a program for adolescents
- Extensive k nowledge of adolescent development and behavior
- Knowledge of mentoring programs, preferably experience supervising a mentoring program.
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to initiate, lead, and problem solve
- Experience training adults or a willingness to learn how to become a trainer of adults
- Bachelor's degree at minimun
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with other similarly sized nonprofit organizations and is based on experience. The position offers full benefits and generous vacation and personal time policies.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to careers@ halfthesky.org (spaces removed) with “Director, Big Sisters search” in the subject line. Please include desired salary range in the cover letter. Half the Sky Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
No calls, faxes or drop-in visitors, please.
DONOR RELATIONS ASSOCIATE
We’re looking for a friendly, organized, compassionate and energetic individual who can help Half the Sky serve its community of supporters as it continues its exciting expansion worldwide. While this is an entry-level position, the Donor Relations Associate is an essential member of a committed and passionate development team. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to start with the basics of nonprofit fundraising and shoot for the stars.
Key Responsibilities:
- Respond to donor inquiries via telephone and email
- Process all donations received
- Maintain and update all gift entries in the donor database (Raiser's Edge)
- Coordinate acknowledgement for all gifts
- Maintain children's progress reports for development staff
- Administrative support for development staff
Critical Qualifications:
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
- Fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small and busy team
- Flexibility, initiative, and a willingness to work flexible hours when requred
- Willing to perform medium, and periodically, high levels of data entry.
- Comfortable with MS Office
- Experience with Raisers Edge or other database software a definite plus
- San Francisco Bay Area resident
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with other similarly sized nonprofit organizations and is based on experience. The position offers full benefits and generous vacation and personal time policies.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to careers@ halfthesky.org (spaces removed) with “Donor Relations Assoc. search” in the subject line. Please include desired salary range in the cover letter. Half the Sky Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
No calls, faxes or drop-in visitors, please.
WEBMASTER FOR KIDS, PART-TIME
Half the Sky is looking for an artistic, out-of-box thinker for a new children’s website. The part time WFK is a position for a great writer/editor/communicator, willing to reach out to children worldwide and engage them in philanthropic fun.
This position is based in Berkeley, Calfornia but telecommuting is a definite possibility for the right candidate. We offer flexible hours (perfect for a student or recent grad), an extraordinary and committed team of colleagues, and a fun, friendly, fast-paced environment. This is a part-time entry position with opportunity for advancement.. Special consideration will be given to those who have a meaningful connection to the Chinese culture, and/or children’s issues.
Critical Qualifications:
- Strong computer skills, confident with MS Office, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc.
- Web-savvy, experience with Web 2.0, online games, video-streaming
- Team-player, easy-going, able to deliver high quality under deadline while still having fun
- San Francisco Bay Area resident preferred
- Fluent in English; Chinese language skills a plus
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with other similarly sized nonprofit organizations and is based on experience.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to careers@ halfthesky.org (spaces removed) with “Webmaster for Kids search” in the subject line. Please include desired salary range in the cover letter. Half the Sky Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
No calls, faxes or drop-in visitors, please.