Roving Country Director

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International is an international non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters. The organization aims to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being. Established to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, Relief International operates in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, focusing on Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods programming. The organization is committed to creating a representative, inclusive, and authentic workplace, encouraging applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences relevant to their work.

Job Overview:
The Roving director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director position is a strategic role within the Program Implementation Department, primarily home-based but requiring frequent international travel to various Relief International countries. The role is designed to provide leadership and continuity in management, particularly in filling gaps in Country Director positions due to transitions such as maternity leave or extended medical leave. The Roving Country Director will also be involved in leadership roles for new country missions or large-scale projects as needed. This position is expected to be deployed up to 80% of the year, emphasizing the need for flexibility and readiness to respond to organizational priorities. The role requires a proactive approach to program management, ensuring effective planning, budgeting, and delivery of projects while maintaining strong partnerships with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Roving Country Director will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of country programs, ensuring effective planning, budgeting, and delivery within the project cycle framework. Key responsibilities include building and maintaining strong partnerships with donors, government agencies, humanitarian actors, and community stakeholders at various levels. The role involves mobilizing donor resources and developing high-quality proposals to secure funding opportunities that align with the organizational strategy and country needs. Financial management of the Country Office is crucial, ensuring sound budget planning, audit readiness, and adaptability to changing contexts. The Roving Country Director will lead risk assessments, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security planning, and compliance with safety protocols to safeguard staff and operations. Continuous improvement in program performance is essential, identifying and addressing gaps to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, the role requires championing ethics and compliance through training and communication to foster a culture of integrity and accountability.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a proven track record of achievement in a similar role, with significant field experience in team management, having previously served as a Country Director or in an equivalent position. Experience in finance and administration, donor relations, and inter/intra-agency communications in progressively senior roles is essential. A demonstrated record of collaboration with local governments, rural communities, NGOs, U.N. Agencies, and other international emergency response and development actors is required. Candidates should have experience representing organizations at national, regional, and international levels to donors, partners, government bodies, the media, and humanitarian community members. Strong project cycle management skills, including work plan development, timeline management, deliverables tracking, and budget oversight, are necessary. A willingness to travel at short notice and the ability to manage complex security situations in remote and unstable environments are critical.

Educational Background:
The position requires a relevant educational background, typically a master's degree in a field related to international development, humanitarian assistance, public administration, or a similar discipline. Advanced degrees may be preferred, reflecting the strategic nature of the role and the complexity of the environments in which Relief International operates.

Experience:
Candidates should possess extensive experience in humanitarian or development settings, ideally with a minimum of 7-10 years in progressively responsible roles, including significant leadership experience. Prior experience in countries where Relief International operates is highly desirable, as it provides valuable context and understanding of the challenges faced in those regions.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory. Proficiency in French and/or Arabic is considered a strong advantage, enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in various operational contexts.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote home-based position with frequent international travel, classified as an initial 12-month fixed-term international role with the possibility of extension. Contract terms, salary, and benefits will be discussed during the HR interview stage. The organization emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, requiring all staff and volunteers to uphold these values. Recruitment includes a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may encompass police and qualifications verification.