Oxfam Country Director Somalia Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Oxfam Novib (ON) is part of Oxfam, a world-wide confederation of organisations working for change and development. Oxfam’s vision is a just world without poverty. Oxfam works in response to humanitarian need in almost 100 countries. Hundreds of thousands of supporters and volunteers make up our international network of concern, action and solidarity.

All Oxfam’s work in Somalia is supported and implemented by the two affiliates working in Somalia: Oxfam Novib and Oxfam Great Brittain. Their work span across all three territories of Somalia – South Central, Puntland and Somaliland – and across all types of interventions: humanitarian, long-term development, lobby & advocacy and media work. Oxfam works primarily through local partners in Somalia. Due to the instable and insecure situation in most of the country, Oxfam operates its programme from neighbouring Nairobi, plus from a small office in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Oxfam Novib has been appointed as the Oxfam managing affiliate and has overall responsibility for ensuring delivery against the Oxfam Joint Counry Analysis & StrategyJCAS by all affiliates.

Oxfam in Somalia is seeking a Country Director to take the lead in representing Oxfam and the programme within the country, the region and globally. Due to the security situation in Somalia, the position is based in Nairobi.

Role Responsibilities and Accountabilities

·       Provides strategic leadership of Oxfam’s programme in Somalia.

·       Is accountable to the Horn of Africa Programme Governance Group (PGG) for the delivery, effective management and monitoring, evaluation and learning of the programme via consolidated annual plans and reports (annual budget of Oxfam in Somalia, estimated total of € 6 million).

·       Holds the the affiliates to account for delivery of their part of the programme strategy and annual operational plans. Chairs the Country Leadership Team, with the managers of the different affiliates covering programming, humanitarian and campaigning operations.

·       Takes the lead in representing Oxfam in Somalia, builds relationships and develops networks contributing to the overall management of the country programme with the relevant Government authorities and international (donor) community. Represents Oxfam in Somalia at regional, global level.

·       Line manages Oxfam Novibs work in Somalia, via the team coordinator of the implementing programme – staff, HR, funding of partner organisations, and the programme delivered by Oxfam Novib (including those funded by external donors). Is line managed by Oxfam Novib’s Regional Manager for the Horn of Africa, based in The Hague.

·       Works to ensure that the ongoing & complex change activity is implemented successfully.

·       Works with the Country Leadership Team to ensure that minimum standards are met in the country – for programme, programme management, HR, finance, security, health and safety etc.

·       Co-ordinates with the Country Leadership team to identify new funding sources and negotiate funding opportunities to support programme implementation.

·       Ensures overall leadership of disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction & mitigation and management, including humanitarian response activities for category 2 emergencies.

·       Supports/facilitates the implementation of Oxfam’s regional advocacy work in Somalia.

·       Attends regional consultation meetings with the regional Oxfam staff (esp. on Food Justice and Essential Services), and with the Horn of Africa PGG, as needed.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge

·       Senior management experience in leading the development, and ensuring the delivery, of programme strategy, either through partners or directly, in one or more challenging locations.

·       Proven analytical skills and ability to think strategically, including the ability to think beyond the country programme context and to act within a regional and global framework.

·       Ability to manage the development of, and contribute to, the high level analysis of factors driving poverty & food insecurity, marginalisation and vulnerability in developing country contexts, including the ability to ‘think politically’ by understanding motivations, pressures and challenges faced by colleagues, partners and other actors.

·       Experience in leading and motivating multi disciplinary, (and some-times geographically remote teams); a high degree of self awareness and an understanding of how to drive and support excellent team performance and individual development.

·       Experience of managing complex change processes and relationships involving a wide range of both internal and external multi-cultural stakeholders across a variety of disciplines & geographical areas.

·       Experience in representing an organisation with partners, government agencies, private sector organisations, and donors at senior level: locally, regionally and globally.

·       An active commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of marginalised people in all aspects of an organisation’s work.

·       High level financial management skills to steer the operational budget.

·       Experience of fundraising from diverse institutions, local, regional and international.

·       Understanding of managing security and risk within an INGO context.

·       Good level of IT literacy and an understanding of how new developments in technology can positively contribute to the aims of an INGO.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate, influence, and negotiate.

·       Willingness and ability to travel to complex and insecure areas (but within the framework of the security policy).

·       Ability to speak and write professional English; Arabic language skills would be an advantage.

Behavioural Competencies

·       Strives to achieve results by setting and communicating goals and ensuring effective and appropriate decision making and problem solving.

·       Able to resolve complex problems and provide clear and effective communication and representation (‘Outward Behaviours’):

1.   Analytical Thinking & vision

2.   Initiative

3.   Communications

·       Achieves results through working effectively with others and holding others to account & good planning & organising skills.

·       Communicates appropriately, encourages and develops others, providing feedback and adapting leadership style to bring about successful outcomes.

·       Able to influence & manage multiple stakeholders & ability to take decisions (Leadership Behaviours)

1.   Motivating & Developing Others (Coaching skills)

2.   Achieving Results

3.   Facilitating Change

·       Builds and strengthens internal culture by displaying self-awareness and appropriate communication to set an example for others to follow (‘Inward Behaviours’)

1.   Self Awareness

2.   Interpersonal Awareness

Location: Nairobi Level

Salary range: Oxfam Novib provides a competitive international package.

Type of posting: Family posting.

Questions?

Further information about the job can be obtained from Robbert van den Berg, Regional Manager Horn of Africa, +31 70 3421 836. Information about the procedure is available with Patricia Vermeulen, HR Consultant, +31 (70) 3421 633.

How to apply?

Please send your application letter and CV with reference no. 5-024 to Patricia Vermeulen, jobs@oxfamnovib.nl, before 2 June 2011.

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