Friends of the Children

Friends of the Children- He Sapa is seeking a passionate and committed Program Manager to collaborate with the Program Director in coordinating, implementing, and sustaining our program.  Our model is proven to break the cycle of generational poverty for Wakanyeja (children), who face the most significant barriers, by providing paid professional mentors to the most precious resource: our youth.

The Program Manager will be passionately dedicated to establishing and expanding our innovative, evidence-based model while grounding Lakota lifeways. They will serve as a strong advocate for children facing systemic and institutional barriers, effectively communicating the urgency of our mission and the success of our outcomes. Additionally, they will build strong relationships with caregivers and partner organizations that serve them, maximizing our program’s impact across generations. They will lead and inspire mentors, as well as cultivate and maintain relationships with schools, families, tribes, and the community.

The Program Manager is responsible for supervising, guiding, and supporting the Friends (relatives) in their first 18 months with the organization. The Program Manager is a role model and mentor for Friends (relatives), acts as a team facilitator and organizational motivator, and facilitates effective communication in all directions. The Program Manager is responsible for supporting the hiring, onboarding, and supervision of the new Friends (relatives) on their team, as well as supporting the onboarding and training of all new Friends (relatives). A Program Manager must know, understand, honor, and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, and principles, be able to articulate the organization’s function clearly, and must have a demonstrated desire to participate in the management of the organization. 

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of Indigenous cultures, a sharp mind for data, and be an innovative leader deeply connected to the communities we serve.  They will be proactive, results-driven, and possess a sense of urgency, while simultaneously focusing their entrepreneurial talents to make a meaningful difference for children facing the highest risks.

The Program Manager will work closely with the Program Director and help guide the organization through our planned implementation and expansion. The right leader will be fiercely committed to the equity of future generations and will ensure that every aspect of the organization’s mission is executed with full engagement of communities impacted by our work.

Are you this amazing leader? Here’s what we have to offer you:

• Opportunity to enhance the circle of resources available to Indigenous youth in the He Sapa.
• A committed Executive Director who will partner with you to establish and grow the organization.
• The ability to implement and supervise a proven, evidence-based mentoring model.
• Oversee the coordination of critical issues and adverse experiences that arise with youth and make appropriate referrals to community resources.
• A strong, cohesive National team committed to innovation and high standards.
• A team of talented employees passionate about working together to create an extraordinary organization.
• Respect for work-life balance for yourself and others. You’ll bring your whole self to work and lead by example by integrating your work and personal life with attention to self-care, ensuring that your work schedule is not depleting.
• Most of all, you get to lead an exceptional organization that helps children facing incredible odds change their life stories every day.

At Friends of the Children – He Sapa (“Friends – He Sapa”), you will have the opportunity to think globally and act locally.  You will be part of an established, growing national network that provides professional mentors to thousands of children across the nation.  As the He Sapa Program Manager, you’ll receive expert support from our national team, headquartered in Portland, Oregon. You’ll also work with a talented team of leaders from other locations across the country who collaborate to support the implementation of the model and our award-winning national scaling plan.

 Are you ready to use your skills to make an impact in Pine Ridge, South Dakota?

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified:

Basic Functions:

The Program Manager is a highly motivated, diligent, multitasking professional to join our Leadership team. The Program Manager oversees the various components of the program within our 12-year professional mentoring model. The role’s primary responsibility will be to provide supervisory support and identify best practices using data analysis for a cohort of up to 8 Professional Mentors. A Program Manager must also know, understand, honor, and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, principles, and policies, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function.  The Program Manager must possess emotional agility and adaptability to change and be able to navigate the strengths and challenges of a start-up chapter/program.   

Core Job Accountabilities:

• Manages a cohort of Friends to achieve program fidelity and meet program goals. 
• Ensures compliance with and accountability to program policies, procedures, and practices, gathers weekly data, and facilitates professional development.
• Responsible for managing the performance of their direct team, including completing and conducting 90-day and annual performance appraisals. 
• Ensures accountability for Friends’ work performance, including the adequacy of time spent with children, quality, intentionality, diversity of activities with children, and administrative responsibilities. 
• Work with the Program Director to onboard new Friends and create a personalized plan for their transition to meeting with youth, school visits, and activities during their first month. This might include planned observation of Friends' interactions with you and/or supervision of Friends' activities.
• Provide 1:1 support to their cohort of Friends to identify and celebrate success, review data and outcomes, provide guidance when challenges arise, and ensure services to youth are delivered from a trauma-informed perspective.   
• Provide coaching and administrative support to Friends.  
• Conduct a minimum of two observations per quarter for each Friend (after probatory period).
• Manage any required performance improvement activities.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and Family Engagement Specialist to maintain regular contact with caregivers, plan family and program events, and address the needs of the families.  
• Co-facilitates the coordination and implementation of the child identification and selection process, and cultivates and maintains relationships with schools, families, and key community members. 
• Ensure compliance with and participate in Friends of the Children – He Sapa coverage plan, when needed.  May be assigned to mentor some youth as a Friend in the future.  
• May support some Program Directors’ duties in their absence.  
• Co-lead and/or facilitate program meetings, providing communication of organizational information and issues to the team, and soliciting feedback from the team.
• Is a member of the Friends of the Children – He Sapa Leadership Team and participates in organization-wide decision-making and working groups 
• Advocate for Friends of the Children – He Sapa, representing the best interests of the team and children.
• Demonstrate compliance with and accountability to the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices as outlined in the Employee Manual. Contribute to the development of any new policies or procedures as required. Demonstrate constructive and effective support for organizational decisions.
• Solicit and obtain feedback from a minimum of two caregivers from their Friends’ cohort per month. Document and maintain all feedback and include it in the Quarterly report.
• Support the Executive Director and Program Director in establishing and maintaining Friends of Children program model and positive work culture. 
• Collaborate with the Development Department to respond to requests for information and stories about youths and families.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist with research, development, and implementation of best practices programming to meet the current and future needs of the organization as required.
• Participate in recruiting, hiring, and training Friends, including interviewing candidates, attending career fairs, organizing and/or delivering training sessions, and attending educational seminars.
• Effectively cultivate and nurture external relationships: build trusting, supportive connections with the families and caregivers of the children on their team and establish relationships with our partner schools to facilitate effective program implementation and sustainability.
• Participate in All Staff meetings and other meetings and events as assigned.  
• Other projects or tasks as considered necessary.

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Strong people skills, with the ability to resolve conflicts and help others do the same.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational, time management, delegation, and follow-up skills. 
• Strong project/caseload management skills with an emphasis on creating Schedules, program activities, and modules.  Strong adaptability to change and support others in navigating change.  
• Ability to influence the behavior of others to achieve necessary results. 
• Ability to use creativity, data, and initiative in guiding others to plan youth development activities
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively by exercising discretion and judgment.
• Strong data analysis skills to assist others in setting goals and developing plans to meet those goals, as well as to contribute to the chapter’s overall goals.
• Ability to hold others accountable in all aspects of required performance. 
• Ability to cultivate relationships with children, families, school personnel, organizational supporters, and community partners. 
• Understanding of child development and behavior, as well as trauma-informed practices and service delivery.  
• Proficient computer skills, including email, familiarity with MS Office, and other database applications.

Working Hours:

This is a full-time, exempt position. The work schedule will be standard Monday through Friday and be available one Saturday per month to provide supervision and guidance to the assigned team. Flexibility in schedule is necessary to meet the program's needs and may include evenings and weekends (e.g., special events, program activities).  

Salary Range:

·      $60,000 - $65,000 annually

Benefits:

Three weeks paid vacation. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision. 401k with 3% match.

Required Education, Experience, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Mental Health Field, Education, Social Work, or related field, with a minimum of 5 years of experience working with youth and families facing the greatest risk factors. A master’s degree is a plus, but not required.
• Maintain current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience with direct reports.   
• Strong knowledge of public-school systems, special education programs, and/or various community-based organizations.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of social issues, child development, social justice competencies, and trauma-informed supports.
• Proven experience in strong collaborative work involving key stakeholders.
• Excellent computer, organization, oral, and written communication skills.
• Be culturally competent: Having a critical understanding of the youth and family within their cultural context.  Engage and deliver services by acknowledging, respecting, and integrating the cultural values of the youth and their families.  
• Engage in continuous learning and development.
• Bilingual (Lakota English) is a plus but not required.

 Office will be located in Pine Ridge

Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be the Program Manager for the He Sapa chapter at Friends of the Children!

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

To know more about Friends of the Children go to: www.friendsofthechildren.org  

 Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.