About the job

The Country Director reports to the Operations Director for West Africa and North Africa based in Dakar and coordinates the work of the Country Management Team in Burkina Faso including: the Head of Support Services, Head of Programme, Access and Safety Coordinator and Area Managers. You will also travel frequently on the field occasionally to Dakar and Copenhagen.

The Country Director plays a strong leadership role in DRC’s comprehensive and solutions-based approach to displacement through a high level of strategic leadership, innovation and effective advocacy. He/she is ultimately accountable in country for all aspects of DRC’s work, leading the consolidation and at the same time development of the programme, continuing the process of developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives and ensuring that the financial management and organizational setup is adapted to the operational context.

The Country Director sets direction, leads, maintains team morale, safety and welfare, and manages resources. He/she delegates specific duties as necessary, while maintaining oversight and accountability.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

As Country Director and Manager you are responsible for the following:

Accountable for people management of direct reports. This includes hiring, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance
Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources
Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DR
?Overall programme management

The CD provides strategic guidance and management to all program sectors and is responsible for high quality, accountable program design and delivery
Ensures representation of DRC to external actors, and oversees the development and management of strategic partnerships
Ensure input for and participates in the operationalization of the DRC 2025 Strategy
Ensure that program implementation follows a Rights Based Approach and that protection principles are mainstreamed into all sectors.
Representation, coordination with stakeholders

High level representation with Government and UN agencies at local and national level, with ability to work with high level officials to negotiate program priorities
Cultivate good relations with key humanitarian actors, including OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, ECVHO, BHA and local and international NGOs engaged particularly in protection, economic recovery and peace programming, through regular attendance at technical meetings /clusters and bilateral meetings. Engage in, and where effective, lead coordination processes amongst key stakeholders
Fundraising, advocacy, reporting, monitoring & evaluation

Drives fundraising efforts and plays key role in donors engagement
Oversees the formulation of project proposals, concept papers and budgets using the DRC Operations Handbook
Identifies opportunities for new projects and organizes assessment and fact finding missions
Leads the team’s advocacy in all DRC key messages.
Ensure that timely and quality reports are provided internally and externally, on time according to DRC & donors requirements
Responsible for supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the program to ensure that activities/projects are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements;
Support Services (Finance, HR & Administration, Supply Chain)

Finance: Responsible for all project funds in country
Ensures that funds are spent appropriately, according to the donor contract and to the full
Ensures that under-spendings & overspendings are monitored and signaled in good time
HR: Supervises national staff & international staff performance, and provide recommendations on recruitment, promotions, training, coaching and dismissals to the Operations Director for West Africa and North Africa & DRC HQ
Logistics: Responsible for all procurement in mission, ensures that for all procurement the proper documentation exists and is archived correctly
DRC Dynamics ERP System: Support the implementation of ERP system and follow up
Access and safety

Overall responsible for the security of DRC staff in country and the programs
Responsible for security planning including regular updating of security and evacuation plans and measures, and implementation of security and contingency plan and update of DRC´s SLS (Safety Level Systems)
Overall responsible for having optimal access in the various contexts of intervention and hard-to-reach areas


Expériences / Formation
About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to possess the following:

Required

Advanced university degree in development studies and project management, law, human rights, political and/ or social sciences or in related field
Professional background in humanitarian work with proven ability with respect to the design, management and implementation of programs with a focus on protection and emergency response for refugees and displaced persons
A minimum of 8 years of humanitarian field experience, including at least 3 to 5 years working in the field in refugee/IDP situations; at least 3 years in a senior management position
Experience with relief/emergency response activities, especially assessment and set up
Experience with implementation of operations in insecure environments; Proven experience in security management is a must
Experience in sectors such as protection, food security/ early recovery / livelihoods
Experience with donors such as DANIDA, ECHO, BHA, BPRM, UNHCR, and UNICEF
Demonstrated management capacity as well as hands on experience in Administration, HR, Finance and Logistics sectors
Prior experience overseeing organizational change processes an asset
Willingness to live and work in an insecure environment with limited physical amenities
Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
Full professional proficiency in French (Daily working language)
Full professional proficiency in English
Desired

Previous work experience in the Sahel
Experience in working with remote management
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Salaire
Contract length: 2 years (renewable)

Band: D

Designation of Duty Station: Ouagadougou with travels to field offices, the regional office in Dakar and headquarters in Denmark. For expatriate candidates: accompanied position, large family package.

Start date: 19 June 2023

Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for international staff or DRC National Staff salary scale; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.


Comment postuler
Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Please click here to apply

Closing date for applications: 2 April 2023

The screening process for this position is on rolling basis, so early submission of applications is encouraged. DRC reserves the right to start with the next steps in the recruitment process prior to the closing date, should we identify a suitable candidate.

We encourage both national and international candidates to apply, and we offer competitive salaries. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. Please refer to DRC’s website for more information.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, candidates should take into consideration that the DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he/she will be working.