Action Against Hunger Country Director Job in Kenya

Country Director

Main Purpose of the Role
The CD is responsible for overseeing the development, funding and implementation of the country strategy and the growth of program portfolio that effectively addresses the underlying causes and effects of malnutrition in line with ACF's values (Charter), Programming Principles, and Strategy;

• S/he must also ensure that systems / procedures are in place and being properly implemented, and that they ensure the proper management, well-being and safety of ACF staff, and the proper use of ACF resources;
• The CD must build on best practices previously developed on the mission; The CD must create a shared vision among all staff.
• S/he is responsible for promoting ACF Charter and ensuring an organizational culture where ACF core values are embedded, team work is encouraged and all staff feels valued;
• S/he is responsible for establishing and maintaining good working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners.

Key Responsibilities

Line managed by the Desk Officer and in compliance with ACF standards, the Country Director is decision maker on the following key issues: Design and implementation of country strategy Definition of mission’s organizational chart Proposals and donors’ reports Management of the field structure budget Security Respect of the ACF Charter Prevention of frauds and Power Abuses The country strategy prepared by the Country Director is validated at HQ level.

Detailed Role and Responsibilities

The CD is responsible for implementing a sound and relevant delegation system (with appropriate control mechanisms), which will allow him / her to be accountable for all the following responsibilities.

Strategic and Operational Planning, Organizational Performance:

Key role: 

Lead the preparation, updating, implementation of the Country strategy appropriate for the country and regional context and in line with the ACF vision and mission.

• Ensure that a high quality strategic plan, based on thorough contextual analysis, is developed/updated using an inclusive and participatory process;
• Ensure implementation of the country strategy is monitored and updated as required in line with context’s evolution;
• Ensure understanding of strategic plan and approaches by all stakeholders;
• Ensure timely final validation of proposals and reports.

Programming:

Key role: 

Oversee mission’s programming to ensure the effective and efficient design, implementation and evaluation of ACF's programs and projects.

• Ensure that programs are in line with the country’s context and ACF's vision;
• Work with senior staff to generate viable programs in line with country’s strategy;
• Identify and secure adequate funding for on-going and future program activities on a timely basis;
• Ensure that programs have proper phasing out strategies and oversee phasing out implementations;
• Ensure that the mission is ready and able to respond to emergencies when they occur and oversee the mission’s response during emergencies;
• Ensure the development and implementation of a mission’s advocacy agenda that supports mission’s programs and, if possible, is in line with ACF priorities;
• Control that systems and staff are in place to guarantee that mission’s programs :
• are designed and implemented based on sound analysis;
• address the underlying causes and effects of malnutrition; are in line with ACF Programming Principles;
• are consistent with ACF's standards for program quality and ACF technical strategies.
• Verify that proper monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to demonstrate impact of ACF’s programs and that learning is incorporated into programs to ensure on-going improvements;
• Ensure the regular production of ACF dashboards and monitoring tools including SitRep and activity progress reports;
• Pilot the follow-up on internal and external audit recommendations.

External Relations and Partnerships:

Key role: 

Develop and enhance relationships between the mission and donors’ representatives, civil society, private sector, government agencies and other organizations, acknowledging diversity as an asset of the humanitarian community, so that ACF can maximize its impact on malnutrition and its prevention.

• Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant – counterparts/departments of the government, the locally-represented multi/bi-lateral donors, UN agencies, foundations, international and national NGOs and civil society organizations;
• Support and work effectively in coalitions and networks in the respect of principles of equality, transparency, result oriented approach and complementarities; 
• Ensure cordial media relations and act as ACF spokesperson as required.

Security:

Key role: 

Lead the preparation, regular updating and implementation of the security plan in line with ACF standards and procedures

• Ensure mission has a security plan in place in line with ACF standards;
• Control that security plan is properly followed under the technical guidance of the Logistic Coordinator;
• Control that appropriate security guidelines and procedures are established, maintained / updated regularly and adhered to by the team;
• Undertake security networking at all levels;
• Analyse the information gathered and provide risk and context analysis;
• Be responsible for the management and oversight of security of all international and national staff and visitors;
• Be part of the crisis team in case of critical security incidents and ensure Security Incidents Reports are drafted according to guidelines and submitted in a timely manner to HQ;
• Pilot the follow-up on security internal and external audit recommendations.

Management and Human Resources

Key role: 

Oversee the management and development of mission’s human resources and create a shared vision, among all staff, of ACF's values and program's aims and their role in achieving these

• Management of direct subordinates Be part of the recruitment and orientation of new senior staff and of the recruitment of direct subordinates;
• Provide proper supervision and management for all direct subordinates;
• Manage staff effectively, including appropriate delegation with a view to achieving results and developing capacities;
• Ensure that all managers has the capacity building of their staff as one of their key goals;
• Proactively address performance issues through regular, constructive and honest feedback and coaching;
• Ensure the proper implementation of ACF’s management system for direct reports, including job description, mid-term and final appraisal;
• Control that Senior Leadership Team operates in a transparent and participatory manner. Human resources Ensure mission has a HR strategy and a training plan;
• Ensure mission has appropriate team structures and it is reviewed according to projected programs’ needs;
• Ensure levels of authority and responsibility are clearly defined;
• Effectively design and lead organizational change processes which enable the mission to respond to challenges; Actively promote staff wellness by monitoring mission climate and staff morale and taking corrective actions as needed;
• Control that strong HR strategies, systems, policies and processes are in place and monitored Control that national and international staff teams work effectively together and achieve the program objectives;
• Pilot the follow-up on HR internal and external audit recommendations.

Finance and Logistic:

Key role: 

Oversee and direct the appropriate mobilization, use and management of financial and logistic resources in the mission in line with ACF policies and donor requirements.Monitor the mission’s financial position, and ensure the best use of available resources;

• Oversee the development and review of mission’s annual budget;
• Ensure management structure of mission’s is proportional to mission’s income;
• Control that qualified staff and appropriate policies, procedures and systems for finance and logistic are in place and functioning throughout the mission;
• Control that adequate internal controls are in place to protect the mission’s financial and non-monetary assets and that the resources are used in accordance with donor terms and conditions;
• Control that appropriate financial and logistic reporting systems are in place to meet both internal needs and external requirements;
• Pilot the follow-up on finance and logistic internal and external audit recommendations.

Working Relationships with HQ

Key role: 

Key actor between the field and HQ, the Country Director contributes to maintain good working relationships with HQ by complying with information demands and using HQ’s expertise to optimize the country’s strategy implementation.

• Update the desk on country strategy’s implementation;
• Proactively refer to HQ for any matter that could jeopardize the mission, the programs, the funding or the security of staff and premises;
• Ensure field teams proactively expresses relevant demands of support to HQ in order to maximize operational efficiency and impact;
• Prepare and facilitate any HQ’s field visit;
• Generally speaking: be a facilitator between the field and HQ;
• Verify that various deadlines set by HQ are respected; Pilot the follow-up on HQ’s recommendations.

Internal & External Relationships

Internal

Superviser Head of Programs ; Supervise the Coordination team in the mission Have close collaboration with the advisers at HQ

External

Offical representative of ACF to local authorities, donors and partners in Cambodia

Reporting Responsibilities

Country Strategy Monthly sitrep and annexes Final validation of proposals and donor reports

Qualifications

Degree in related humanitarian issue

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience with INGOs.
• Previous experience with ACF in emergency and post-emergencies an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of donors’ guidelines and procedures (ECHO, EU, UNICEF, DFID, etc.)
• Ability to organize, train and motivate a multicultural team
• Excellent diplomatic and negotiation skills
• Disciplined and able to work and arrive at decisions autonomously with minimal guidance.
• Fluent in English (professional English needed).
• Excellent drafting and written skills.

Preferred

Advanced Degree Experience in insecure setting Previous experience as Country Director
 

How to apply:

Apply with resume and cover letter at link
 

Deadline: 10th March 2014