National Chapters Regional Coordinator

The International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) is excited to add two National Chapters Regional Coordinators to our small team to support and expand the National Chapter development in Africa and Asia.

ISSUP is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that supports the professional development of a globally connected substance use prevention, treatment and recovery workforce. ISSUP provides networking opportunities, offers a gateway to training and serves as an online access point for information from the field of drug demand reduction. ISSUP’s approach is informed by evidence-based, high-quality and ethical practice.

A major part of ISSUP’s operation is to establish, monitor and support the development and activity of its National Chapters (https://www.issup.net/national-chapters).

At the end of February 2020 ISSUP will have 18 established National Chapters and 6 in the process of becoming established. The National Chapters operation is currently undertaken on a regional basis with four regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe and the Middle East

As this extremely important aspect of ISSUP’s work progresses it is essential that the National Chapters are appropriately managed, monitored and supported. Their work is accountable to ISSUP Global and it is essential that there is regular communication to help the National Chapters to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible to achieve their objectives of promoting ISSUP’s mission at the national level.

The support of individual National Chapters will include fostering dialogue and positive relationships with other key organisations operating in the drug demand reduction field in the National Chapter countries and region. This will include building relationships with governments and relevant international and national organisations to encourage their awareness and support.

ISSUP seeks to employ 2 Regional Coordinators: one for the African and one for the Asian National Chapter regions

The responsibility of those appointed will involve:

- Working as a member of the ISSUP National Chapter (NC) Coordination team

- Having specific responsibility for their region - Africa or Asia

• Regular communication with each of the Chapters individually and as a group

• Ensuring that National Chapters in the region are monitored and that they report on their governance and activities undertaken as ISSUP branded National Chapters

• Monitoring and reporting on activity of each National Chapter in their region

• Help in the preparation and review of annual work plans

• Supporting and encouraging the activities of the National Chapters in their region

• Building relationships with key stakeholders, including government within each National Chapter country

• Offering advice and encouragement for the operation of the National Chapters in their region and providing practical input where relevant and appropriate

• Identifying potential new National Chapters in the region and undertaking the relevant processes for their potential development as an ISSUP National Chapter

• Ensuring the quality of the National Chapters activities as an ISSUP branded operation

• Support and monitoring of national and regional events undertaken by the National Chapters

• Oversight and actions to encourage regional meetings/events for the National Chapters in their region to allow face-to-face meetings of the National Chapters

- Input to the overall operation and development of National Chapters as a key area of ISSUP Global’s work.

The post may involve international travel although the majority of the work and communication between the ISSUP coordination team and with the National Chapters in their region will be undertaken virtually.

Consultancy position initially 6 months to be reviewed after 6 months to ascertain acceptable performance in the role.

ISSUP Global’s operation is primarily operated by UK based staff. However, we want National Chapters to identify as part of the ISSUP family and to encourage the awareness that ISSUP is a major and unique international organisation. ISSUP therefore encourages applicants that are based in the UK or in the regions where the Regional Coordination will take place i.e. Africa and Asia.

Skills and Qualities: 

We welcome applications from any individual who consider themselves to be…

• Creative
• Enthusiastic
• Innovative
• Flexible
• Friendly
• Conscientious

And has the following skills and qualifications:

Essential: 

• 2-3 years’ experience of working in in the NGO/charity or health care sector
• Excellent written and verbal skills and the ability to adapt to dealing with different types of stakeholders
• Able to organise ISSUP’s National Chapters for input to social media and website content
• Be able to build good relationships with health and social care professionals, governmental officials, policy makers, researchers NGO representatives and others involved in drug demand reduction
• English speaking (native or CEFR C2)
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office and social media platforms
• Show and use initiative
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise your own work
• Team-player: Able to communicate and integrate within a small team
• Ability to work independently and self-motivated

Desirable: 

• Some knowledge of substance use prevention, treatment and recovery support, or related healthcare fields will be an advantage but not essential
• Be experienced in working with health and social care professionals, governmental officials, policy makers, researchers NGO representatives and others involved in drug demand reduction
• Additional language proficiency is a plus
• Experience working within a membership organisation
• Event planning experience

Salary range: up to £23,000 ($30,000) p.a. dependent upon experience

Contract length: 6 months

Home-based

Start date: 1 April 2020

Interviews will be held online, week commencing 16 March 2020

If you are interested in the position, please send your CV and a cover letter to Kirsty Fitzpatrick at kirsty [dot] fitzpatrick [at] issup [dot] net (kirsty[dot]fitzpatrick[at]issup[dot]net )by 28 February 2020. If you have any questions regarding the role or the organisation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.