Trócaire works in partnership with local organisations in developing countries, and with people in Ireland, to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice. Together, we create positive and lasting change.
Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
We have 5 Goals: Defend Human Rights; Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice; Ensure Women & Girls’ Protection, Voice & Influence; Saving Lives and Protecting Human Dignity and Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.
Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.
In Sierra Leone, Trócaire has been working with partners since the 1990s and opened a country office in Freetown in 2008. Within the Climate Change and Gender portfolio countries, Trocaire Sierra Leone’s new five-year country programme plan (2021 – 2025) focuses on supporting long-term development work on women’s sustainable economic empowerment and resilience; women and girls protection, voice, and leadership; as well as saving lives and protecting human dignity during emergencies within our geographical focus areas and in other districts where we have established partners. Trocaire Sierra Leone currently works with 16 local civil society partner organizations. Core to our partnership approach in Sierra Leone is the support of local civil society organisations to strengthen their institutional, financial, technical, and managerial capacities in line with Trocaire’s global partnership and localization strategy (2021 – 2025) and commitment to localization.
The Country Director (CD) position provides an opportunity for an experienced, dynamic, and innovative individual to lead a country team of around 20 dedicated and motivated staff in responding to complex development and humanitarian challenges in partnership with local actors. The CD will provide overall strategic leadership and management support to the country programme and operations ensuring that systems and processes are in place, that new ideas are fostered and that Trócaire continues to deliver an exciting and impactful programme with partners in Sierra Leone.
For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.
Reporting to the Head of Portfolio, Climate Change and Gender, this is a fixed term contract for 3 years and is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The incumbent will manage a team of 3 professionals including but not limited to the Programme Manager (PM), Finance and Administration Manager (FAM) who along with the CD make up the Country Management Team (CMT). The CD will also line manage the Business Development and Compliance Manager (BDCM).
Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives.
Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. All offers of employment will be subject to pre employment checks including satisfactory references and appropriate screening (e.g. police/garda vetting, counter terrorism and anti-trafficking). Trócaire also participates in the InterAgency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and all employees will be subject to this as part of contract of employment.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Provide strategic vision and direction for the country programme.
• Create and maintain a shared vision among staff of Trócaire’s country and organisational objectives and their role in achieving these.
• Develop Trócaire’s Sierra Leone Country Strategic Plan and review it annually against key country and organisational level objectives, indicators and targets with annual reports on programme, non-programme and financial management to the organisation, donors and other stakeholders.
• Model the behaviours and values expected of Trócaire staff and expressed in our Strategic Framework.
• Input into organisational strategy through strategic planning and monitoring processes.
• Lead on the localisation discussions in consultation with partners and other stakeholders.
• Lead on in-country networking and representation with government, donors, NGOs, INGOs, networks and the Catholic Church / Caritas.
• Provide leadership and foster collaboration with other actors (NGOs, INGOs, networks, host government etc.) in order increase networking & opportunities for collaboration.
• Lead on advocacy at a country level and on defining advocacy messages for use internationally.
Programme Development & Management (in collaboration with the Programme Manager)
• Provide leadership and direction in the strategic development and implementation of programmes at country level, in line with Trócaire’s country and strategic objectives, strategies and policies.
• Ensure that organisational approaches to partnership/localization, gender equality, vulnerability and targeting, accountability and protection are effectively incorporated across development / humanitarian programmes.
• Ensure that effective results-based monitoring and evaluation systems are implemented in line with Trócaire policies, systems, and guidelines.
• Lead on ensuring that Trócaire Sierra Leone regularly reviews, adapts, and rolls out an Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and that Trócaire and partners retain humanitarian response capacity.
• Ensure that programme learning is captured and feeds into programme development and sharing across programmes, countries and globally.
• Ensure that internal and external reporting is carried out in a timely manner, to a high standard and in line with agreed objectives and targets (including annual Programme Reviews and Results Monitoring Frameworks).
• Ensure the Sierra Leone team fully engages with and complies with Trócaire’s cloud-based Salesforce/Box software as the organisational platform for partner, project and grant management.
Business Development & Institutional Funding (in cooperation with the Business and Development Manager)
• Lead and oversee the business development process and the adaptation of the Sierra Leone’s Donor Engagement & Institutional Funding Strategy to ensure the Sierra Leone programme grows, is innovative and sufficiently funded.
• Lead on ensuring Trócaire visibility, representation and networking and engagement with donors.
• Ensure optimal cost recovery, based on sound systems for budgeting, monitoring and compliance reporting.
• Network actively and play a lead role in management level dialogue with donors and other INGOs on accessing and managing institutional funding.
• Ensure all donor grants are effectively managed and reported on to a high quality and in a timely manner.
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Human Resource Management (in collaboration with the HR Business Partner)
· Ensure that Trócaire attracts and retains high calibre national and international staff by providing: a sense of clear purpose to all staff, development opportunities and competitive packages, in line with Trócaire policy and in coordination with Trócaire’s HR Business Partner.
· Ensure effective adherence to and implementation of HR policies and procedures at country level, in line with Trócaire’s HR Policies, Procedures and Guidelines in coordination with HR and with all local labour laws.
· Ensure consistent implementation of strong performance management systems throughout the country team, in line with organisational policy.
· Line-manage the Country Management Team (FAM, PM) and BDCM and other staff as necessary.
· Ensure that there are regular staff forums and meetings for discussion and coordination of strategic, operational and administrative initiatives.
· Through inspiring and accountable leadership, create a working environment, which is positive and inclusive, and continuously look for ways to maintain or improve this.
Safeguarding Programme Participants & Complaints Management (in collaboration with the Global Safeguarding Advisor)
· Ensure that Trócaire’s commitment to Safeguarding Programme Participants is delivered through policies and practices that support the prevention of abuse and exploitation and create opportunities to raise and respond to concerns as outlined in Trócaire policies.
· Oversee the application of Trócaire’s Country Office and Programme Complaints Mechanisms and directly manage sensitive complaints (e.g. those relating to potential abuse or exploitation).
· Support Focal persons in communicating Trócaire’s commitment (on Safeguarding and Complaints Mechanisms) to Partner Organisations as included in Trócaire’s Grant agreement, supporting capacity building of Partner Organisation on minimum standards.
Financial and Admin Management (in collaboration with the Finance/Admin Manager)
· Take responsibility for overall financial management in the country and ensure that there is optimal use of financial resources, managed in a transparent and accountable manner in line with Trócaire’s systems and procedures.
· Support the FAM to ensure that budgets are prepared, reviewed and monitored regularly and that resources are strategically allocated as appropriate on the basis of need or programme quality.
· Ensure effective financial management systems, processes and controls are in place and are fully compliant with Trócaire’s operating standards and the relevant legal requirements in-country.
· Take responsibility for ensuring all staff are familiar with and comply with institutional processes and systems, e.g. Management of Information Systems, use of IT systems etc.
Audit and Corporate Governance Compliance (in collaboration with the Global/Regional Internal Auditor)
· Ensure that all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc., are complied with.
· Ensure that internal and external audits are fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner, in line with Trócaire policy and back donor and host government requirements.
· Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of Trócaire’s operations and take appropriate actions where necessary.
· Ensure full compliance with Trócaire’s fraud policy and related back donor or host government requirements.
· Maintain direct links with the HQ and Regional based Internal Auditor, in coordination with the Country Finance and Admin Manager.
Security Management (in collaboration with the Global Security Advisor)
· Develop, manage, and review the Sierra Leone office security plans, procedures and contingency plans and ensure that the Sierra Leone country team adheres to all Trócaire security policies.
· Take responsibility for the management of security at a country level for the Sierra Leone programme staff.
Representation, Communications and Advocacy
· Represent Trócaire with the host government, national NGO and INGO networks, the Catholic Church and its agencies, donors, and other key strategic stakeholders
· Increase awareness of Trócaire’s work with Trócaire’s supporters and key stakeholders in Ireland, through the provision of communications material, facilitating internal and external visitors and carrying out media interviews upon request by the Communications Unit in HQ.
· Lead the country team in contributing to the development and implementation of core communications, fundraising, development education and advocacy initiatives at global level.
· Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Region.
Behavioural Competencies in Line with Trócaire’s Competency Framework
• Leading: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, acts to inspire and lead others to achieve their potential, demonstrating Trócaire’s values with integrity in order to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
• Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
• Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
• Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging Trócaire’s reputation in the use of resources.
• Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning and decision making.
• Continual Improvement & Learning: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, constantly looking to learn and develop self, employees, and partners to better fulfil Trócaire’s’ mission.
• Flexibility & Change: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, adapts positively to change and to different ways of doing things; manages or takes part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to role in the organisation.
Person Specification – Essential Requirements
(E) Qualification • Third level qualification in Development or related field of study.
(E) Experience · A minimum of 5-8 year’ experience in the management of development & humanitarian programmes of substantial scale.
· A minimum of 3 years’ experience in running a country office (admin, finance, HR management, security management etc.);
· In-depth understanding of programming in a partnership model, based on at least three years’ experience working in a partnership-based (I) NGO.
· Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies, and techniques, including results-based management, rights-based approach, and participatory methodologies.
· Demonstrable experience of promoting gender equity through programming and within an international organisation.
· Demonstrable experience of working to attract institutional donor funding and of managing large and complex donor grants.
· Solid experience of managing teams in a multi-cultural and post-conflict environment and playing a leadership role in ensuring cohesiveness, inclusion and development of staff at all levels.
(E) Skills · Excellent leadership skills.
· Ability to motivate staff to align behind a shared vision and objectives.
· Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to develop and implement a clear country level strategy in the context of organisational strategy.
· Demonstrated ability to operate under pressure and in a volatile environment
· Demonstrated ability to manage security in challenging environments
· Ability to coach and help others develop in their professional lives.
· Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills and demonstrated ability in using these with internal stakeholders (Trócaire staff in different locations) and external stakeholders (partners, Church, donors, host government etc.);
· Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and financial systems on a significant scale, in development and humanitarian contexts.
· Demonstrated ability to meet corporate governance and accountability requirements of host governments, the organisation, and donors.
· Highly organised, with excellent planning, prioritisation, and problem-solving skills.
· Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
· Competent in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel);
· Fluency (written and spoken) in English.
(E) Qualities · Understanding of and an empathy with the role of the Catholic Church in development.
· A strong commitment to the work of justice and an empathy with the ethos and work of Trócaire.
(E) Other • Ability and willingness to travel within Sierra Leone and regionally/internationally including travel to HQ in Ireland.
Person Specification – Desirable
(D) Qualification • Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area, or significant experience beyond that outlined above.
(D) Experience · A successful track record in initiating, cultivating, and maintaining relationships with a range of government institutions, donor agencies, national and international organizations.
· Experience of working in or understanding of the Sierra Leone context
(D) Skills · Ability and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in a difficult and sometimes insecure working environment.
(D) Qualities · Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
· Creative, energetic, adaptable, and flexible.
· Stress-resilient to be able to cope with deadlines and complex problems.
(D) Other • Cross cultural communication skills.
More Information
- Job City Freetown
