Country Director

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established over 40 years ago, Mercy Corps operates in more than 30 countries worldwide, partnering with communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger, more resilient communities. The organization has a significant presence in Colombia, where it has been active for over 20 years, employing over 300 staff members and managing a budget exceeding $50 million for the fiscal year 202

• Mercy Corps focuses on various initiatives, including peacebuilding, economic opportunity, and humanitarian assistance, particularly for vulnerable populations such as smallholder farmers, youth, women, LGBTI+ individuals, and Venezuelan migrants.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director (CD) for Mercy Corps Colombia is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing a large and complex country program. The CD is accountable for ensuring the quality of programming and the effectiveness of operations that support it. This position requires a leader who can seamlessly navigate between strategic vision and operational execution, setting a compelling programmatic direction while ensuring that systems, controls, and teams are efficient, compliant, and cost-effective. The CD must have extensive experience in managing operations and programming in complex environments, demonstrating sound financial stewardship and disciplined budget management. The role also involves ensuring compliance with local laws, Mercy Corps policies, and donor regulations, while delivering programs on time, within budget, and according to established scopes. The CD is expected to build sustainable, multi-sector programming and hold the team accountable to both participants and donors, emphasizing innovative solutions and strong partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Director will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Strategy & Planning: Formulating and communicating a clear vision for program goals and strategy, leading country planning processes, prioritizing actions and resources, and identifying new funding opportunities.
• Team Management: Building team capacity, mentoring team members, leading the Senior Management Team, and promoting a work environment of mutual respect and accountability.
• Program Delivery Management: Serving as Mercy Corps' legal representative in Colombia, overseeing program quality and impact, ensuring compliance with policies, managing budgets, and promoting ethical standards.
• Operations Management: Supervising the operations unit, maintaining compliance with donor regulations, and ensuring program teams have the necessary operational support.
• Influence & Representation: Representing Mercy Corps to media and stakeholders, maintaining relationships with partners, and anticipating donor needs.
• security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security: Liaising with the global security team on critical events and security policy changes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field, with an MA/S preferred. They should have at least 10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, with a proven track record in managing emergency response and complex development programs. A minimum of 7 years in senior-level leadership and field management is required, with prior experience as a Country Director preferred. Strong knowledge of the Colombian context and previous work experience in Colombia are strongly preferred. Candidates should also have strong financial and grants management skills, excellent negotiation and communication abilities, and the capacity to work effectively in diverse teams.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field, with a preference for candidates holding an MA/S. Candidates should also have internationally recognized qualifications in project or program management or a commitment to obtain such qualifications early in their tenure.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, with demonstrable success in managing emergency response and complex development programs. Additionally, candidates should have at least 7 years of senior-level leadership experience, capacity building, and field management experience, with prior Country Director experience strongly preferred.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Spanish is required, with excellent oral and written communication skills in both languages being essential for the role. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Bogotá, Colombia, and requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, including travel to potentially insecure locations. Mercy Corps staff have access to good medical services, and the living conditions in Bogotá are of a high standard. The organization promotes ongoing learning, allowing team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional growth activities. Mercy Corps is committed to equal employment opportunities and adheres to safeguarding and ethics principles, ensuring a respectful and dignified environment for all individuals involved.