Country Director

Job Posting Organization:
CARE is a global leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. Established in 1945, CARE has been working in over 100 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to delivering impactful programs that improve the lives of vulnerable communities. The organization focuses on empowering women and girls, addressing the root causes of poverty, and promoting social justice. CARE operates in various sectors including health, education, and economic development, and is known for its innovative approaches to humanitarian assistance and development.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director position at CARE in Burundi is a high-impact leadership role that requires a visionary individual capable of navigating complex environments and inspiring teams to drive innovative solutions. The Country Director will be responsible for shaping the strategic direction of CARE’s operations in Burundi, ensuring operational excellence, sustainable growth, and meaningful impact, particularly for vulnerable communities, especially women and girls. This role demands a leader who is not only innovative but also adept at building networks and partnerships across various sectors, including government and civil society. The ideal candidate will be impact-driven, agile, and adaptive, thriving in fast-changing environments while leading transformational change.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Director will have a wide range of responsibilities including:

• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Leading the development and implementation of CARE Burundi’s multi-year strategy that aligns with both global and national priorities. Driving organizational transformation and innovation while ensuring adaptive programming. Strengthening strategic foresight and resilience through data-driven decision-making.
• People Leadership & Culture: Inspiring and leading a diverse team, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, and high performance. Building leadership pipelines and supporting talent development while embedding continuous learning within the organization.
• Resource Mobilization & External Representation: Securing and diversifying funding through institutional, private sector, and innovative financing streams. Positioning CARE as a trusted partner with donors, government, and key stakeholders. Representing CARE at high levels to influence policy and development agendas.
• Operational Excellence & Risk Management: Ensuring efficient, compliant, and cost-effective operations. Overseeing financial sustainability, risk management, and safeguarding practices. Maintaining strong systems that deliver quality programs on time and within budget.
• Program Quality & Impact: Championing innovative, evidence-based, and community-led programming. Strengthening localization and partnerships to scale impact. Ensuring the delivery of high-quality programs with measurable outcomes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong leadership skills with a proven track record in strategic planning and execution. They should have experience in managing complex programs and leading diverse teams. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the socio-economic context of Burundi and the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as well as the ability to build and maintain partnerships with various stakeholders. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to CARE’s mission and values, particularly in promoting gender equity and social justice.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in international development, public administration, business administration, or a related field is required. Candidates with additional qualifications in gender studies, social sciences, or humanitarian assistance will be preferred. Continuous professional development in leadership and management is also highly valued.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in leadership roles within international development or humanitarian organizations. Candidates should have experience in program management, strategic planning, and resource mobilization, with a focus on results-oriented approaches. Experience working in Burundi or similar contexts is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the local culture and socio-political landscape.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in French is highly desirable. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Burundi will be considered an asset, as it will facilitate better communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Burundi, and CARE strongly encourages applications from qualified Burundian nationals. The organization prioritizes hiring on a local contract for this role, and international candidates will only be considered if a suitable local candidate cannot be identified. The role may involve travel within the country and potentially to other regions as required. Compensation and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience.