Trócaire is a social justice organisation working in partnership with local organisations and communities to tackle the root causes of poverty, injustice and violence. We support people to use their own power to create positive and lasting change. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
We have 5 Goals: Defend Human Rights; Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice; Ensure Women & Girls’ Protection, Voice & Influence; and Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.
Under Trócaire’s Country Plan for Honduras (2021-2025) our overall programme objective is the defence of the human rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations to ensure human security and inclusive development by focusing on human rights and access to justice, women’s protection, voice and leadership, preparing for and responding to humanitarian needs. We collaborate with 26 local organisations and deliver an annual programme valued at €2.6m euro.
The position of Country Director provides an opportunity for an experienced, dynamic and innovative individual to lead a country team of 16 in responding to complex development and humanitarian challenges together with a high performing country team. The Country Director will provide overall management and strategy support to the country programme ensuring that systems and processes are in place, that new ideas are fostered and that Trócaire continues to deliver an exciting and impactful programme with our partners in Honduras.
For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.
Reporting to the Head of Portfolio (based in Ireland), this is a fixed term contract for 3 years and is based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The incumbent will manage a team of professionals including but not limited to the Programme Manager (PM), Finance and Administration Manager (FAM) and the Regional Business Development and Relationship Manager (RBDCM) who along with the CD make up the Country Management Team (CMT).
Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives.
Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. All offers of employment will be subject to pre employment checks including satisfactory references and appropriate screening (e.g. police/garda vetting, counter terrorism and anti-trafficking). Trócaire also participates in the InterAgency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and all employees will be subject to this as part of contract of employment.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Provide strategic vision and direction for the country programme.
• Create and maintain a shared vision among staff of Trócaire’s country and organisational objectives and their role in achieving these.
• Lead on Trócaire’s Honduras Country Strategic Plan and review it annually against key country and organisational level objectives, indicators and targets with annual reports on programme, non-programme and financial management to the organisation, donors and other stakeholders.
• Model the behaviours and values expected of Trócaire staff and expressed in our Strategic Framework.
• Input into organisational strategy through strategic planning and monitoring processes.
• Lead on the localisation of aid discussions in consultation with partners and other stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and foster collaboration with other actors (NGOs, INGOs, networks, Catholic Church, host government etc.) in order increase networking & opportunities for collaboration.
• Lead on advocacy at a country level and on defining advocacy messages for use internationally.
Programme Development & Management (in collaboration with the Programme Manager)
• Provide leadership and direction in the strategic development and implementation of programmes at country level, in line with Trócaire’s country and strategic objectives, strategies and policies.
• Ensure that organisational approaches to partnership, gender equality, vulnerability and targeting, accountability and protection are effectively incorporated across development / humanitarian programmes.
• Ensure that effective results-based monitoring and evaluation systems are implemented in line with Trócaire policies, systems and guidelines.
• Lead on ensuring that Trócaire Honduras regularly reviews, adapts and rolls out an Emergency Preparedness Plan and that Trócaire and partners retain humanitarian response capacity.
• Ensure that programme learning is captured and feeds into programme development and sharing across programmes, countries and globally.
• Ensure that internal and external reporting is carried out in a timely manner, to a high standard and in line with agreed objectives and targets (including annual Programme Reviews and Results Monitoring Frameworks).
• Ensure the Honduras team fully engages with and complies with Trócaire’s cloud based Salesforce/Box software as the organisational platform for partner, project and grant management.
Business Development & Institutional Funding (in cooperation with the Regional Business and Development Manager)
• Lead and oversee the business development process and the adaptation of the Honduras’ Donor Engagement & Institutional Funding Strategy to ensure the Honduras programme grows, is innovative and sufficiently funded.
• Lead on ensuring Trócaire visibility, representation and networking and engagement with donors.
• Ensure optimal cost recovery, based on sound systems for budgeting, monitoring and compliance reporting.
• Network actively and play a lead role in management level dialogue with donors and other INGOs on accessing and managing institutional funding.
• Ensure all donor grants are effectively managed and reported on to a high quality and in a timely manner.
Human Resource Management (in collaboration with the HR Partner)
• Ensure that Trócaire attracts and retains high calibre staff by providing: a sense of clear purpose to all staff, development opportunities and competitive packages, in line with Trócaire policy and in coordination with Trócaire’s HR Partner.
• Ensure effective adherence to and implementation of HR policies and procedures at country level, in line with Trócaire’s HR Policies, Procedures and Guidelines in coordination with HR and with all local labour laws.
• Ensure consistent implementation of strong performance management systems throughout the country team, in line with organisational policy.
• Line manage the Country Management Team (FAM, PM) and RBDCM and other staff as necessary.
• Ensure that there are regular staff forums and meetings for discussion and coordination of strategic, operational and administrative initiatives.
• Through inspiring and accountable leadership, create a working environment, which is positive and inclusive, and continuously look for ways to maintain or improve this.
Safeguarding Programme Participants & Complaints Management (in collaboration with the Head of Safeguarding)
• Ensure that Trócaire’s commitment to Safeguarding Programme Participants is delivered through policies and practices that support the prevention of abuse and exploitation and create opportunities to raise and respond to concerns as outlined in Trócaire policies.
• Oversee the application of Trócaire’s Country Office and Programme Complaints Mechanisms and directly manage sensitive complaints (e.g. those relating to potential abuse or exploitation).
• Support Focal persons in communicating Trócaire’s commitment (on Safeguarding and Complaints Mechanisms) to Partner Organisations as included in Trócaire’s Grant agreement, supporting capacity building of Partner Organisation on minimum standards.
Financial and Admin Management (in collaboration with the Finance/Admin Manager)
• Take responsibility for overall financial management in the country and ensure that there is optimal use of financial resources, managed in a transparent and accountable manner in line with Trócaire’s systems and procedures.
• Support the FAM to ensure that budgets are prepared, reviewed and monitored regularly and that resources are strategically allocated as appropriate on the basis of need or programme quality.
• Ensure effective financial management systems, processes and controls are in place and are fully compliant with Trócaire’s operating standards and the relevant legal requirements in-country.
• Take responsibility for ensuring all staff are familiar with and comply with institutional processes and systems, e.g. Management of Information Systems, use of IT systems etc.
Audit and Corporate Governance Compliance (in collaboration with the Global/Regional Internal Auditor)
• Ensure that all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc., are complied with.
• Ensure that internal and external audits are fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner, in line with Trócaire policy and back donor and host government requirements.
• Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of Trócaire’s operations and take appropriate actions where necessary.
• Ensure full compliance with Trócaire’s fraud policy and related back donor or host government requirements;
• Maintain direct links with the HQ and Regional based Internal Auditor, in coordination with the Country Finance and Admin Manager.
Security Management (in collaboration with the Global Security Advisor)
• Develop, manage and review the Honduras office security plans, procedures and contingency plans and ensure that the Honduras country team adheres to all Trócaire security policies.
• Take responsibility for the management of security at a country level for the Honduras programme staff.
Representation, Communications and Advocacy
• Represent Trócaire with the host government, national NGO and INGO networks, the Catholic Church and its agencies, donors and other key strategic stakeholders.
• Increase awareness of Trócaire’s work with Trócaire’s supporters and key stakeholders in Ireland, through the provision of communications material, facilitating internal and external visitors and carrying out media interviews upon request by the Communications Unit in HQ.
• Lead the country team in contributing to the development and implementation of core communications, fundraising, development education and advocacy initiatives at global level.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Portfolio.
Behavioural Competencies in Line with Trócaire’s Competency Framework
• Leading: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, acts to inspire and lead others to achieve their potential, demonstrating Trócaire’s values with integrity in order to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
• Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
• Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
• Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging Trócaire’s reputation in the use of resources.
• Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning and decision making.
• Continual Improvement & Learning: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, constantly looking to learn and develop self, employees, and partners to better fulfil Trócaire’s’ mission.
• Flexibility & Change: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, adapts positively to change and to different ways of doing things; manages or takes part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to role in the organisation.
Person Specification – Essential Requirements
(E) Qualification • Third level qualification in Development or related field of study.
• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area, or significant experience beyond that outlined below
(E) Experience • A minimum of 5-8 years’ experience in the management of development & humanitarian programmes of substantial scale;
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in running a country office (admin, finance, HR management, security management etc.);
• In-depth understanding of programming in a partnership model, based on at least three years’ experience working in a partnership-based (I) NGO;
• Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques, including results based management, rights based approach and participatory methodologies;
• Demonstrable experience of promoting gender equity through programming and within an international organisation;
• Demonstrable experience of working to attract institutional donor funding and of managing large and complex donor grants.
• Solid experience of managing teams in a multi-cultural environment and playing a leadership role in ensuring cohesiveness, inclusion and development of staff at all levels.
(E) Skills • Fluency (written and spoken) in English and Spanish;
• Excellent leadership skills;
• Ability to motivate staff to align behind a shared vision and objectives;
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to develop and implement a clear country level strategy in the context of organisational strategy;
• Demonstrated ability to operate under pressure and in a volatile environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage security in challenging environments
• Ability to coach and help others develop in their professional lives;
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills and demonstrated ability in using these with internal stakeholders (Trócaire staff in different locations) and external stakeholders (partners, Church, donors, host government etc.);
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and financial systems on a significant scale, in development and humanitarian contexts;
• Demonstrated ability to meet corporate governance and accountability requirements of host governments, the organisation and donors;
• Highly organised, with excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Competent in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel).
(E) Qualities • Understanding of and an empathy with the role of the Catholic Church in development;
• A strong commitment to the work of justice and an empathy with the ethos and work of Trócaire.
(E) Other • Ability and willingness to travel within Honduras and regionally/internationally including travel to HQ in Ireland.
How to apply
To apply, please click on; https://apply.workable.com/trocaire/j/84F39F907D/