Country Director

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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The IRC started operations in Cameroon in 2016 to respond to the increasing concerns for people affected by violence linked to Boko Haram, in the Far North region of the country. Assistance to displaced populations extends across the Far North, mostly in Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga and Logone & Chari. Teams deliver lifesaving programming to increase access to water and improving hygiene practices in vulnerable displaced and host communities, cash programming to enable families to meet basic needs and improve food security, and protection programming, including prevention and response to gender-based violence. Longer-term resilience programs are also being developed that bridge the gap between humanitarian and longer-term development needs, especially around livelihoods and social cohesion. The IRC has its main field base in Maroua.

Following the escalation of the crisis in the anglophone regions of Cameroon in the Northwest and Southwest region, the IRC started its operations in 2018 by opening an office and presence in Buea (SW) and then in 2019 in Bamenda (NW). Today, IRC’s work in these regions includes basic needs programming (water, food, livelihoods) as well as protection services to internally displaced populations and vulnerable host communities. IRC works mostly through its local partners in the NW and in the SW, there is a main field base in Buea with sub-offices in Kumba and Mamfe.

Scope of Work

Reporting to the Regional Vice President who is based in Nairobi, the Country Director will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the Cameroon country program. S/he is responsible for ensuring the design and delivery of quality programs, donor and government relations, fundraising and budget management, security and operations management, and developing a motivated and professional team. S/he will work closely with, and receive support from, regional and headquarters program technical units; measurement unit; safety and security unit; regional finance and operations staff.

The IRC Country Director is responsible for overall leadership and supervisory management of IRC personnel, programs, and operations in the country, including stewardship of resources, staff safety and security, program quality and accountability, and performance management; S/he is IRC’s principal representative to Cameroon government officials, donors, international organizations, Cameroonian civil society, and other NGOs (national and international). The Country Director leads country program staff in developing and implementing the Strategic Action Plan and in pursuing the outcomes and objectives identified in IRC’s global strategy.

At the moment, the IRC Cameroon CD directly line manages 8 staff in a country program of approximately 160 staff. Specifically, the CD supervises the following roles as well as leading the Senior Management Team (SMT):

– 1 Field Coordinator based in Maroua

– 1 Field Coordinator based in Buea

– 1 Deputy Director for Finance (DDF) based in Yaounde

– 1 Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) based in Yaounde

– 1 Security & Access Coordinator based in Buea

– 1 Compliance Coordinator based in Yaounde

– 1 Operations Coordinator based in Yaounde

– 1 People & Culture Coordinator (HR) based in Yaounde

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Management

• Working closely with the Regional Vice President, and the regional team, implement and adapt as necessary the Strategy Action Plan for IRC Cameroon

• Ensure that structures and systems are in compliance with IRC standards, and that they support program delivery and promote management coordination and efficiency throughout the country program

• Participate and assist in driving planning processes for IRC’s current programs across Cameroon’s Far North and NWSW regions to ensure IRC’s technical competencies, contextual knowledge and partnerships with national partners, community groups, governments, donors and civil society are leveraged to provide new and innovative programs within the constantly evolving environment.

Program Quality & Development

• Working closely with the DDP and Regional Program Support Unit, develop program strategies in accordance with IRCs mission and the Outcome and Evidence Framework.

• Ensure the consistent use of well managed assessment, design and proposal development processes.

• Promote a team approach and positive learning environment utilizing headquarters, country program and operations staff and partners to consistently enhance the quality of design and implementation.

Key Partner, Donor Relations and Building local partnerships

• Working closely with the Awards Management Unit, develop IRC as a partner of choice for major international donors.

• Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donor priorities, country plans and planned funding initiatives.

• Maintain and expand participation with key donors, host government, local partners and relevant policy and coordinating bodies.

• Represent IRC with Cameroonian authorities, and work to decrease bureaucratic and operational impediments to our humanitarian action

• Lead IRC’s efforts to develop a network of local partners from civil society, government and the private sector, empowering these entities to make key decisions and deliver quality services to customers; set up mechanisms for strategic visits or exchanges with partners; while positioning IRC as a partner of choice.

• Ensure SMT’s accountability to achieve the partnership ambition, setting the tone by promoting a transformative, localization-focused partnership culture by engaging the country program & staff.

• Ensure that IRC’s structuring, recruitment, staff development and performance management processes for key partnership roles are guided by PEERS in line with the partner portfolio, as well as by IRC’s partnership principles, competencies and approaches.

• Ensure that an appropriate partnership organizational structure is in place, with formalization of R&R in the form of RASCI and integration of priority tasks into the JD of SMT & key-staff members, including the establishment of a Partnership Working Group.

Fundraising and Budget Management

• Working closely with DDF and larger SMT as well as regional and HQ Finance teams, to ensure submission of appropriate, timely high quality proposals and lead required donor negotiations.

• Supervise and identify appropriate sources for match fund requirements and coverage of funding gaps.

• Working closely with the DDF, provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of the country program including identification and implementation of required changes to match funding levels.

• Working closely with the DDP and DDF, maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds and discretionary funds.

Security & Operations Management

• Working closely with the Security & Access Coordinator, ensure that the security management plan for the country program is regularly updated, and ensure consistent monitoring and analysis of the security environment and adherence by all staff to the IRC security protocols and procedures.

• Working with the access team and Field Coordinators, continuously assess access constraints and work to improve the quality of access to IRC clients in the field

• Working with country senior management team ensure the development, implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure alignment with IRC and donor policies across the program.

People and Culture Management, Staff Development & Retention

• Working closely with the P&C teams, develop a positive work environment for all staff supported by a fit-for-purpose operational structure

• Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the Organization Global and National HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

• Model the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct, through demonstrable realization of values: Integrity; Accountability; Service and Equality

• Champion the IRC’s approach to Gender Equality, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and Safeguarding, ensuring that all staff and clients are protected and respected.

• Support any strategy aimed at ensuring staff well-being in line with IRC Duty of care internal policies

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in relevant field or equivalent experience

• A strategic and people-focused leader with the ability to adapt to evolving contexts and prioritize tasks, resources, and their time

• At least ten (10) years of international work experience at senior leadership levels, covering both humanitarian and development programming

• Extensive program development and fundraising experience, prior experience with European, US and international donors

• Proven success in leading project

• Extensive budget and fiscal oversight experience

• Ability to work and live in complex environment.

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

• A keen understanding of political complexities Central and West Africa, as they relate to post conflict recovery. Knowledge of Cameroon is a plus.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

Demonstrated successful leadership and people management experience with a multi-disciplinary, teams with multifaceted strengths in cross-cultural settings, including active mentoring and coaching and active championing of inclusion at all levels. This role requires strong leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, ability to deploy strong communications optimally, both internally and externally; enjoy developing networks to build partnerships and diversify program resources.

Languages Required/Preferred:

Full fluency in both spoken and written French and English is required, as Cameroon is a bilingual country. Note that members of the SMT speak both French and English and all communication to staff must be produced in both languages.

**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.