Country Director

Role & Responsibilities

Leading and growing a diverse team who are committed to serve the world’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care, the Country Director oversees all programme and support activities in-country. Representing Medair in all issues relating to the country programme, the Country Director plays a key role in donor relations and manages the country strategy and the project implementation in conjunction with senior field managers.

Project Overview

Medair’s Global Emergency Response Team (G-ERT) deployed to Chad in January 2024 with the objective of re-enacting country registration, establishing relationships with government authorities, donor agencies, UN partners and NGOs, and becoming operational again due to the ongoing displacement crisis. Medair worked in Chad previously in 2012-14 in health, nutrition and WASH. The Country Director role will assess gaps and priorities, together with seeking out institutional funding, to re-establish Medair’s presence in Chad.

Workplace & Working conditions

Field based position is based in N’Djamena, Chad.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 12 months.

Key Activity Areas

Leadership and Management

• Design, update and evaluate the country strategy, in conjunction with the relevant senior field managers and GSO staff. Consider community needs, donor criteria and strategies and an exit strategy in order to facilitate the long-term planning and development of the projects in the country;
• Support and oversee the monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the implementation of the planned activities in accordance with the project proposals and logical frameworks and institutional donor policies and guidelines;
• Manage the overall programme and support functions, including reviewing and refining the management structures and overseeing the development and maintenance of operational procedures for individual projects and support functions;
• Analyse humanitarian needs, trends and political developments in the country of operation and the surrounding region in order to anticipate new projects and initiatives and
• Ensure all programme activities and support functions comply with applicable national and international laws and regulations, including in-country registration

Donor Relations Management

• Develop and maintain contact with the in-country representatives of relevant funding partners (e.g. institutional donors or private donor organisations) in order to secure funding for the country programme
• Oversee the drafting and presentation of all proposals, operational and financial reports related to the country programme, in collaboration with the relevant senior field managers and GSO staff

Communications

• Develop and maintain relationships with authorities, donors, media, other NGOs and embassies with the objective of raising public awareness and identifying funding opportunities and other potential partnerships
• Ensure that the GSO Communication and Engagement Department receives appropriate material for communication and fund-raising activities
• Ensure that timely programme reports are updated and submitted to GSO

Financial Management

• Support the planning and construction of project budgets, in collaboration with relevant senior field managers and GSO staff
• Manage the spending within the programme in-line with the approved budgets. Analyse projected cash flow, decide on the timing of major procurements, oversee audits and anticipate where over or under spending may occur and ensure necessary action is taken
• Ensure sufficient and appropriate controls are in place to prevent fraud and that relevant staff receive the required information and training to minimise the risk of occurrence within the country programme

Staff Management

• Oversee all HR related issues within the programme including job descriptions, recruitment, performance management, development and training, health and safety, team structures, capability disciplinary action, etc. in collaboration with the relevant staff and managers
• Reflect the vision and values of Medair when interacting with team members and provide them with leadership, advice, support and appropriate communication.

Security Management

• Oversee the updating and implementation of country location security plans, guidelines and manuals
• Ensure appropriate security procedures and awareness are maintained throughout the country programme
• Take the lead on decision making and contingency planning during security incidents or threats

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair e-library and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed
• Ensure country programmes are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and CHS standards, WHO recommendations, etc.
• Ensure frequent and appropriate monitoring and evaluation of programme activities and outputs, implementing corrective actions as required

Delegated Responsibilities

• Management of the assigned country programme, ensuring implementation is in line with the time frame, budget, staff resources and quality set out in the relevant project proposals and the country strategy
• Management of donor grants and funds for all country projects, including proposal writing, reporting and donor representation
• Authorisation of expenditure on applicable budget lines up to $20,000.
• Deputise for senior field managers as required during periods of absence
• Line management of assigned staff, including recruitment, performance monitoring, compliance to HR policy and procedures
• Responsibility for the safety and security of all Medair staff and visitors in the country of operation
• Representation of Medair at meetings and through relationships with external partners (e.g. donors, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs)

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith- based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayer, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as Management / Development Studies / Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject
• Excellent English (spoken and written)

Experience

• 5 years post-qualification experience in a management position
• 3 years post-qualification experience in a complex humanitarian emergency
• Strong Christian commitment. Self-motivated, energetic, hard-working, servant-hearted
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills
• Committed to team-building and able to develop and support other team members
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner
• Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips
• Actively looking for ways to improve the quality of Medair’s work
• Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of humanitarian / emergency programmes
• Experience in dealing with donors and government officials
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols. Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills. Good report and proposal writing skills. Good negotiation skills
• Advanced leadership and project management skills. Experience of representation at national and local levels
• Committed to consultative and servant leadership
• Excellent communication skills. Problem solver, dynamic, mature