Country Director At World Relief

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Country Director will have overall responsibility for the development and management of the Haiti country program portfolio and day-to-day activities. This is achieved through the development and implementation of a country strategy, which is in line with World Relief’s (WR) mission, vision and values. This includes aligning programs with WR integral mission implementation strategies’; the recruitment of requisite personnel; the evolving development of policies, structures and systems; ongoing monitoring of programs and ensuring the quality of Monitoring and Evaluation processes; spearheading at the local level and active participation in U.S. and International resource development efforts; and the development of strong strategic partnerships with local institutions, government agencies, donors and other implementing partners that are aimed at enhancing the shared mission of the organization and responding to the most vulnerable in a humanitarian context. The Country Director will lead the senior management team and represent the organization with government, donors and other local and international organizations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership

• Actively provide strong leadership to country team in all aspects of its oversight and operations, assigning and delegating tasks where required
• Develop and implement a three to five year country strategy in line with WR’s programmatic competencies and integral mission, aimed at contributing towards the social, spiritual and economic transformation of the most vulnerable
• Ensure implementation of integral mission and alignment of current programs with integral mission implementation strategies
• Provide overall leadership and oversight on proposal development for Haiti WR programs with UN, government, foundations and private donors
• Develop appropriate institutional structures and strategies for all long-term WR work, with special attention to establishing strong partnerships with in-country UN coordination systems, international and local NGOs, and existing churches and other national institutions
• Hire and supervise WR staff in Country

Program Management

• Provide overall management and technical direction of WR’s program in Country
• Develop and strengthen appropriate institutional structures, controls, and strategies. for all short-term and long-term programs
• Ensure consistent funding from bilateral, multilateral and other donors to augment the resources provided from WR’s private fund
• Spearhead the identification and development of new opportunities and locations for programming as well as potential donors. This will include on a case by case basis one or more of the following to bring in new donors: writing sections or components of a proposal, coordination of a proposal effort, and/or editing of a proposal including log frame development and budget development
• Ensure that program activities are being implemented according to agreements, work plans and schedules, in coordination with Area Managers, M&E staff, and finance team
• Ensure quality, accuracy and timeliness of quarterly metrics and program reports, by comparing objectives with results achieved according to donor and WR requirements
• Maintain WR’s registration as an international NGO in-Country as required
• Oversee and manage country finance personnel to ensure overall fiscal transparency and health of the country finances, including: accurate budgets, expenditures to budget and in compliance with procurement policy and procedures, coordination with headquarters financial systems management, and financial reporting that is accurate, timely, and in accordance with globally accepted accounting practices
• Liaise with headquarters for regular financial consolidation, including required audit schedules
• Approve and verify acquisition and delivery of all major purchases in compliance with grant agreements and country policies and execute sound cash management practices with all vendors
• Oversee the maintenance and implementation of site security for each project site. Make informed decisions about staff safety and potential evacuations. Regular attendance and involvement in NGO security forums
• Report immediately to the Unit Director and the International Finance Team any identified cases of fraud, theft, abuse, misconduct, or conflict of interest
• Ensure the ongoing formal and informal review/evaluation of staff performance, including written evaluation of each direct report on an annual basis
• Periodically review existing WR Haiti policies and procedures and lead the amendments of the policies and procedures in consultation with relevant departments of WR home office, if necessary

Strategic Partnerships

• Cultivate partnerships in consonance with the leadership, guidelines and policies of WR’s Church Engagement Unit with U.S. churches, denominations, and church bodies. Oversee and lead relationship building with key US partner churches, including hosting vision teams, work teams, and ministry teams. Actively communicate with US partner churches through email, phone conversations, and visits to US churches.
• Initiate and manage relationships with USAID, UN agencies, NGO’s and other donor agencies.
• Under the guidance of WR’s Church Engagement Unit, help to lead relationship building with key U.S. partner churches, including hosting vision teams, work teams, and ministry teams. Actively communicate with U.S. partner churches through email, phone conversations, and visits to U.S. churches.
• Represent WR Country well to government, donor, church, and community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Serve as WR’s primary representative in Country, leading official interactions with the media, government, local partners, and other NGO’s including through NGO forums.
• Oversee the hiring of strong Christian and professionally qualified staff using an equitable and transparent recruitment process, and dismiss any staff who do not perform according to standards and expectations.
• Work with all expatriate staff to ensure a plan for eventual development and training of local and/or regional replacements.
• Develop and strengthen WR’s policies, procedures, systems and controls aimed at promoting accountability and alignment to prevailing laws and regulations of Country.
• Oversee the safety and security of all the program staff including ensuring that Situation Reports (as required) are sent to WR Home Office in accordance with Disaster Response policy; monitoring the security situation in all WR locations.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Unit Director

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Experience in administration of U.S government and UN grants
• Proven leadership and management of international donor support programs, with extensive experience in strategic planning, resource mobilization, proposal development, management, supervision, and budgeting in a multi-project and multi-funding environment
• Experience designing, developing, and implementing community development projects which engage or involve local churches
• Strong oral and communication skills in English. Knowledge of local languages a plus
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and strong interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to develop and communicate WR’s vision to partners, donors, churches, government agencies and non-government stakeholders
• Passionate commitment to Jesus Christ and to the mission of WR
• Must be able to relocate to and reside in the Country of Direction

REQUIREMENTS:

• Mature and personal Christian faith
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
• Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
• University Degree in related field. Masters’ degree preferred. Business management and leadership experience is highly valued
• A minimum of five years of experience in international relief and development work with progressive leadership responsibilities and proven resource development skills, or a minimum of ten years of experience in business management and leadership with progressive increasing responsibilities
• Strong oral and written communication skills in French and English. Knowledge of Haitian Creole is a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations
• The ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-15 pounds
• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read application information
• The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• General office setting
• Great lengths of time working on computer, reading from computer screen, entering information, standing at copier or fax machine, and some time on the phone or in skype meetings may be required
• Year-end archiving activities involve repeated lifting and bending
• Physical, emotional and intellectual demands
• Equipment used: Employee computer (desktop or laptop), printer, and copier
• All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. This position description is not all-inclusive and is always under review.