Mission

In situations of armed conflict, Geneva Call, as a neutral, impartial and independent international humanitarian organization, endeavors to strengthen the respect of humanitarian norms and principles by armed non-State actors, in order to improve the protection of civilians, while supporting local communities in their efforts to enhance their own protection. Appel de Genève/Geneva Call is a private, not-for-profit, humanitarian organization foundation under Swiss law, founded in 1998.
Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

The role of Country Director is an important and much valued function in Geneva Call. The holders of this critical position provide the vision and strategic direction to the country program. This includes the qualitative implementation of Geneva Call’s humanitarian response (humanitarian dialogue, research, community-based approach), advocacy, fundraising and representation, in addition to the resource management responsibilities for both human and financial assets.

General description and main activities

Strategy and program implementation:

• Leads on development of country strategy;
• Analysis the humanitarian and security situation in country and identify areas of interests of work for Geneva Call;
• Ensure fulfilment of Geneva Call’s core mission of promotion of IHL with AGDA;
• Provide leadership, quality delivery, management, monitoring, evaluation and learning of the country program, against Geneva Call strategy;
• Manages, supervises and coordinates all the activities related to the implementation of Geneva Call`s projects in country according to the proposal guidelines and indicators, budget and work plans;
• Ensures that programs are monitored and evaluated;
• Promotes sharing of learning with others and drawing on learning from across Geneva Call and externally, utilizes the results to inform program decisions and enhance institutional knowledge.

Safety management

• Overall responsible for security;
• Ensure the development of updated context analysis and risks analysis based on reliable networks;
• Responsible for anticipating and managing risks that could threaten the safety of the staff, operational viability, and the organization’s reputation;
• Responsible for managing security in line with Geneva Call’s Policy.

Mission Management & Coordination

• Overall responsible for all resources and implementation of programs and activities within the country;
• Builds partnerships and represents GC;
• Manages staff, budget, assets and funding as per procedures and national requirements;
• Ensures transparent and timely financial management respecting deadline and procedures;
• Ensures the mobilization of necessary resources (financial, logistics, HR) to implement the country programs and contribute to the growth of the missions;
• Identify human resources needs, recruit, and ensure induction;
• Overall development and supervision of country teams (including coaching and evaluating) in accordance with internal policies and procedures and national labour laws;
• Promotes and creates a culture to ensure knowledge sharing, innovation and capacity building and further professional development opportunities for all staff in appropriate fields;
• Communicate regularly with staff and promote positive conflict resolution;
• Ensures that information is properly circulated between Headquarters and the field and ensures that due dates are respected.

Fundraising

• Ensures that Geneva Call’s work in country is adequately funded and implemented;
• Initiates and leads the development of new project proposals;
• Build relationships with external donors and proactively identify new donors;
• Develop and implement a country fundraising strategy that contributes to achieving the overall aim of Geneva Call in the field of humanitarian engagement for enhanced civilian protection;
• Approves all technical and financial proposals before submission to donors and ensures they are contextual and address specific needs.

Communications and advocacy

• Represents Geneva Call in country;
• Ensures that all formalities required by government and other official agencies are properly prepared and punctually presented;
• Actively participates in meetings and fora organised by the GO/NGO/UN, sectors as relevant to Geneva Call work in country with focus on the humanitarian particularly the protection cluster;
• Liaises strategically with Government representatives as well as with potential in country donors.

Main qualifications

Education and experience

• Completed master’s degree in relevant field such as Political or Social Science, International Humanitarian Law, or Human Rights.
• Minimum 10 years equivalent work experience in a humanitarian organization with international exposure, in managing multi donor humanitarian programs, and managing teams of at least 10 people, including expats.
• Experience in Sudan is strongly desired.
• Strong financial and donor management experience.
• Experience of capacity building and mentoring, team leadership and process management.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in security management.

Technical skills

• Strong organizational and analytical skills, entrepreneur mindset.
• Solid diplomatic skills with ability to communicate with high level interlocutors.
• Passionate about political and security affairs.
• Strong knowledge of security management.
• International experience and having worked previously in complex and volatile contexts is essential;
• Experience with fundraising and project cycle management.
• Budget management and risk planning skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Experience of negotiations with weapon-bearers and other high-level stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure, travel frequently in conflict-affected areas and to handle numerous tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or International Human Right Law is a strong asset.
• Demonstrating integrity: upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values.

Languages

• Excellent English required. Arabic is an added advantage

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management policy. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position: Country Director – Sudan
• Activity rate: 100%, international contract fixed term for 12 months +, subject to funding.
• Duty station: Port-Sudan, Sudan
• Preferred start date: May 2024
• Compensation & Benefits: The remuneration package is based on market practice and may vary by country depending on the size and complexity of the mission. Benefits may include:
  • Hardship allowance, subject to yearly revision
  • 25 annual leave days per year
  • Medical, accident and travel insurance
  • Accommodation support (guest house or housing allowance)
  • Rest & Recuperation support
  • 1 home flight per year

Application & Recruitment process

All applications will be kept confidential. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to the recruitment process which consists of the following steps:

• Written test to assess technical and language skills in relation to the requirements of the Country Director position
• First interview
• Psychometric test
• Second interview
• Reference check