Country Director, Kenya

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent international humanitarian non-governmental organization (INGO) founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein. With a mission to respond to the world's most severe humanitarian crises, the IRC operates in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities. The organization focuses on restoring health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. The IRC employs a large workforce dedicated to delivering impactful programs that help millions regain control over their lives and strengthen their communities. The IRC's Kenya country program specifically aims to provide life-saving and developmental services to vulnerable local and refugee communities, enabling them to lead secure, productive, and healthy lives. The IRC collaborates with various stakeholders, including national and county governments, community organizations, and partner NGOs, to implement programs across multiple sectors such as health, nutrition, protection, livelihood, and education.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director for Kenya is tasked with providing strategic vision and overall leadership for the IRC's Kenya country program. This role encompasses ensuring the design and delivery of high-quality programs, managing donor and government relations, overseeing fundraising and budget management, and ensuring effective security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and operations management. The Country Director will also be responsible for developing a motivated and professional team. Reporting to the Regional Vice President, the Country Director will work closely with regional and headquarters program technical units, safety and security, and finance and operations staff. The position requires a proven ability to manage programs with a portfolio exceeding USD 25 million, utilizing diverse implementation modalities, both direct and partner-based. As the principal representative of IRC in Kenya, the Country Director will engage with various stakeholders, including government authorities, donors, international organizations, civil society, and the media, to oversee and manage a portfolio of responsive and effective humanitarian, recovery, and development programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Director will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: providing visionary leadership to shape and execute strategies that deliver high-impact, client-centered programs; serving as IRC’s principal representative in Kenya; leading the development and delivery of a country strategy aligned with IRC’s Strategy100; forging and sustaining strategic partnerships with national NGOs and community-based organizations; leading IRC’s engagement in humanitarian coordination mechanisms; maintaining constructive relationships with government counterparts; cultivating a culture of collaboration and accountability across the country team; leading IRC-hosted events and strategic dialogues; collaborating with the Regional Vice President and senior management team to implement the country program's strategic vision; driving program innovation and excellence; leading the design and execution of a diversified funding strategy; ensuring compliance with IRC’s global policies and standards; overseeing the Kenya country program budgets; championing a proactive risk management agenda; managing safety and security for the country program; fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture; and advancing IRC’s advocacy agenda.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of effective communication both internally and externally. A graduate degree in a relevant field is required, along with at least 10 years of progressively responsible international work experience, including leadership at the Country Director level in multi-site, multi-sectoral operations within complex environments. Experience in conflict or disaster response situations is essential. Candidates should demonstrate professional fluency in written and spoken English, along with strong budget and fiscal oversight capacities, and experience managing security in complex contexts. Additionally, candidates should have established capacity to handle stressful situations constructively and respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner.

Educational Background:
A graduate degree in a relevant field is required for this position. This educational background should ideally be complemented by specialized training or certifications related to humanitarian response, international development, or organizational management, which would enhance the candidate's ability to effectively lead the IRC's operations in Kenya.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of dynamically responsible international work experience, including significant leadership experience at the Country Director level. Candidates should have experience managing multi-site, multi-sectoral operations in complex environments, as well as experience working in conflict or post-conflict situations. Proven success in fundraising, donor relations, and program management is also essential.

Languages:
Professional fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Arabic and local languages is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is expected to involve approximately 50% travel within and outside the region for workshops, meetings, representation, and conferences, as well as visits to Kenya field offices. The role is full-time and may require the candidate to engage in high-stakes negotiations and represent IRC in various high-level forums. The IRC emphasizes the importance of adhering to its core values and principles, which include integrity, service, equality, and accountability, and expects all employees to uphold these standards in their work.