Country Director

Job Posting Organization:
Action contre la Faim, established in 1979, is a prominent non-governmental organization dedicated to combating hunger globally. With a mission centered on saving lives by eradicating hunger, the organization emphasizes the prevention, detection, and treatment of under-nutrition, particularly in emergency situations arising from conflicts or natural disasters. Over the past 45 years, Action contre la Faim has maintained a strong commitment to its humanitarian principles, which include independence, neutrality, non-discrimination, free access to victims, professionalism, and transparency. The organization operates in 57 countries and has provided aid to over 26 million people in 2024 alone, focusing on seven key areas of expertise: Nutrition and Health, Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security and Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Advocacy, Climate, and Research. More information can be found on their website at www.actioncontrelafaim.org.

Job Overview:
As the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director, you will play a pivotal role in implementing a robust delegation system that includes appropriate control mechanisms, ensuring accountability for a wide range of responsibilities. Your primary focus will be on strategic and operational planning, as well as enhancing organizational performance. You will lead the development of a high-quality strategic plan through inclusive and participatory processes, monitor its implementation, and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned with the strategic approach. Additionally, you will oversee the preparation, updating, and execution of the country strategy, ensuring it aligns with the overarching vision and mission of Action contre la Faim. Your role will also involve leading programming efforts in collaboration with the Programme Coordinator, reviewing the impact of ACF's programs, and integrating lessons learned into the Country Strategy. You will be responsible for establishing appropriate oversight processes and tools to ensure timely and budget-compliant program implementation while identifying and mitigating programmatic risks. Regular engagement with donors during program implementation will be crucial, as will the review of proposals to ensure they meet high-quality standards and align with donor priorities. You will coordinate proposal development, ensuring relevant stakeholders are involved in the design process, and conduct assessments to inform proposal design. Furthermore, you will identify and evaluate funding opportunities, making go/no-go decisions as necessary. Maintaining and developing external relations and partnerships will be essential, as you will support coalitions and networks, manage media relations, and act as a spokesperson for ACF when required. Lastly, you will ensure the mission has robust security plans in place and adheres to security guidelines and procedures, while also overseeing the management of teams and human resources, finance, and logistics departments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement a sound delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms to ensure accountability for all responsibilities.
• Ensure strategic and operational planning aligns with organizational performance goals.
• Lead the development of a high-quality strategic plan through inclusive processes and monitor its implementation.
• Oversee the preparation, updating, and implementation of the country strategy, ensuring alignment with ACF's vision and mission.
• Collaborate with the Programme Coordinator to lead programming efforts.
• Review the impact of ACF's programs and integrate lessons learned into the Country Strategy.
• Establish oversight processes and tools to ensure timely and budget-compliant program implementation.
• Identify and mitigate programmatic risks.
• Engage regularly with donors during program implementation. 1
• Review proposals to ensure high quality and competitiveness that align with donor priorities. 1
• Coordinate proposal development, ensuring relevant stakeholders are engaged in the design process. 1
• Conduct assessments to inform and support proposal design. 1
• Identify and review funding opportunities, making go/no-go decisions. 1
• Maintain and develop external relations and partnerships, supporting coalitions and networks. 1
• Ensure cordial media relations and act as an ACF spokesperson when necessary. 1
• Guarantee security by ensuring robust security plans are in place and adhered to. 1
• Oversee the management of teams and human resources, finance, and logistics departments.

Required Qualifications:

• A university degree in international relations, business administration, or management.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in similar management positions within humanitarian aid, preferably with Action contre la Faim or other international NGOs.
• Proven experience in coaching teams and managing change effectively.
• Previous mission experience in Ukraine is highly desirable.
• Strong skills in strategic vision, leadership, networking, staff management and development, as well as communication and advocacy.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a university degree in a relevant field such as international relations, business administration, or management. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and effectively managing programs and teams.

Experience:
The position requires at least 4 years of experience in similar management roles within the humanitarian sector. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with international NGOs, particularly in contexts similar to those faced by Action contre la Faim. Experience in coaching teams and managing change is also crucial, as is prior mission experience in Ukraine.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication in these languages is essential for collaboration and reporting. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is considered a valuable asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position offers a fixed-term contract under French legislation for 9 months, with a starting date of June 1, 2026, and an end date of March 1, 202

• The monthly gross salary ranges from 3572 to 4128 euros, depending on experience, and includes a 13th-month salary. Non-French citizens will receive reimbursement for pension insurance at a rate of 16% of their gross monthly salary. An annual salary increase of 6% is provided after each 12 months of continuous contract. Additional benefits include a monthly per diem and living allowance of 504 euros net, a country allowance of 450 euros, and reimbursement for winter equipment purchases up to 380 euros per year. Child allowance is available at 1500 euros per year per child present in the country of origin, with a maximum of 6000 euros per year. Transportation and accommodation costs are covered, and ACF provides 100% medical coverage for health and repatriation insurance, including for dependents. The organization also offers salary sustainment measures for sickness, paternity, and maternity, along with 25 days of paid leave per year, 20 RnR days, and airfare reimbursement for breaks. Career development support and access to an e-learning platform are also provided. ACF is committed to inclusivity and actively fights against discrimination.