Country Director 104 views0 applications

Role & Responsibilities

Oversee all programme and support activities in-country. Represent Medair in all issues relating to the country programme, the Country Director plays a key role in donor relations and manages the country strategy and the project implementation in conjunction with senior field managers.

Project Overview

Emergency projects targeting displaced, war affected and vulnerable populations in Eastern Congo. Projects are focused on health, WASH and infrastructure rehabilitation, with a strong emphasis on rapid response to emergency situations in complex and unstable environments and/ or remote locations. Capacity building of local health employees and populations aimed at long term and sustainable behaviour change to improve public health outcomes.

Workplace & Conditions

Field based position in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Take a look at Medair’s work in DR Congo.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

October 2019. Full time, 24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Leadership and Management

• Design, update and assess as needed the country strategy, in conjunction with senior staff in-country and at GSO. Monitor external and country-specific trends to anticipate and plan for future needs.
• Manage and support all operations and departments, including reviewing the management structures; overseeing the development, streamlining and maintenance of standardised operational procedures.
• Ensure all operations and departments comply with contractual obligations, external and internal guidelines as well as applicable national and international laws and regulations.

External Relations Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with in-country representatives of relevant funding partners in order to secure funding for the country programme. Balance the programme funding portfolio.
• In particular, oversee the full development cycle of proposals, operational and financial reports related to the country programme, in collaboration with the relevant senior field managers and GSO staff.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders to raise public awareness; engage with issues to the humanitarian community; identify funding opportunities, and develop partnerships.
• Ensure appropriate representation in all humanitarian coordination, NGOs forums and workgroups.

Administrative & Financial Management

• Support the planning and construction of streamlined base and project budgets, with relevant managers and GSO staff. Ensure budgeting allows for appropriate funding level of operations, positions, and departments. Ensure that private funding spending is identified, authorised and minimised.
• Manage the spending within the programme in-line with the approved budgets. Analyse projected cash flow, decide on the timing of major procurements, oversee audits and anticipate where over or under spending may occur and ensure communication with donors and corrective action are taken.
• Ensure sufficient and appropriate controls are in place to ensure good quality, accountability and controls of our operations. Follow-up recommendations of auditors and monitor corrective actions, frequent spot-checks, and timely reporting of all incidents.

Staff Management & Safety

• Oversee all HR related issues within the programme including job descriptions, recruitment, performance management, development and training, health and safety, team structures, capability disciplinary action, etc. in collaboration with the relevant staff and managers.
• Jointly review the set-up of the different teams to ensure appropriate workload and staffing levels as well as good communications between team members and across the teams.
• Responsible for the security and safety of all staff members. Ensure that all security SOPs, guidelines, plans and manuals are up to date and followed / implemented.

Operations & Quality

• Management of DRC country programme, all donor grants and funds for all country projects.
• Support and oversee the monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the implementation of the planned activities with the project proposals and logical frameworks and institutional donor policies.
• Organise training, workshops, etc. to train staff on quality, lessons learnt, promote reflexion, develop standard documentation and operations for rapid responses as well as transition programming.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as Management / Development Studies / Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject.
• Strong working knowledge of English and French (spoken and written).
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.

Experience / Competencies

• 3 years’ experience in a management position.
• 1 years’ experience in a complex humanitarian emergency.
• Strong Christian commitment, self-motivated, energetic, hard-working, servant-hearted.
• Visionary and able to convey that vision to the rest of the programme.
• Team-player with high emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels, resilient and perseverant.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner, ability to manage change.
• Experience in dealing with donors and officials, excellent networking and communication skills.
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere and HAP Standards as current humanitarian issues.
• Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of humanitarian programmes.