Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

1. Summary of Position

The Country Director (CD) leads the continuous strategic development and ensures growth of the Country Program. The CD integrates program and operational structure into a coherent country office. The CD represents Action Against Hunger at country level and with donors and is responsible for building the Action Against Hunger brand and reputation at country level.

The role of the Country Director is to lead development and emergency programs at national level in addition to plan the integration of sectoral initiatives into coherent programs for development consistent with the country office priorities and growth needs.

Develop relationships with, consult and represent Action Against Hunger to donors, local and national government authorities, organizational partners and collaborators, other INGOs and the local community with that aim of creating a positive profile for the organization within the country.

The Country Director will liaise with the Action Against Hunger country, regional, HQ and network staff on strategy, programming opportunities partnerships in addition to compliance matters.

Create an effective platform for delivery of development services by aligning internal capacities with national development priorities and Action Against Huger strategic plans, build effective networks of collaboration to position Action Against Hunger as a critical partner.

2. Essential job roles

• Provide vision and direction in the development of a country strategy that integrates programmatic and operational aspects of the country programs; ensure continued relevance with national context and alignment with and contribution to regional and global Action Against Hunger objectives.
• Guide program strategic development to take advantage of emergent opportunities and areas of work and consolidate strategic insight from regional and country level expertise.
• Develop and establish policies and systems in collaboration with the Action Against Hunger Senior Leadership Team at country level that are fully compliant with Action Against Hunger USA policy as well as with national/local legislation.
• Expand program funding through engagement with donors ensuring continuous flow of resources to support country program growth.
• Facilitate the technical development and growth of programmatic and operational functions of the country program through championing programmatic and operational country needs to regional and global levels of Action Against Hunger USA.
• Represent Action Against Hunger USA to national governments, bilateral/multilateral institutions and in NGO networks to build and uphold the Action Against Hunger brand and reputation as a reliable partner in the delivery of programs and as a key voice in nutrition sensitive programming.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining a positive and conducive working environment amongst all staff at country level to ensure a healthy and effective organizational culture which:
  • Promotes the Action Against Hunger Charter of Principles.
  • Embeds the Action Against Hunger USA Core Values into the daily working context.
  • Encourages team work, cross departmental and cross functional collaboration
  • Ensures staff members are valued and staff engagement is maximized.

3. Supervisory Responsibilities

The Country Director will directly line manage the Department Heads and Field Coordinators.

4. Gender Equality Commitments & zero tolerance to abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

5. Fiscal Responsibility

• The position will be the overall budget holder for the Zambia country office and will also be responsible for reporting to the local authorities on annual audits & other statutory obligations.

6. Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

7. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

8. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• At least 10 years of senior management experience
• Minimum 10 years of work in humanitarian and development contexts, preferable with previous experience in Haiti or similar contexts.
• Overall knowledge of Action Against Hunger key areas of intervention.
• Excellent external relation skills and previous experience in engaging with National and local government authorities.
• Results driven and demonstrable ability to set and communicate goals and ensure effective and appropriate decision making and problem solving.
• Ability to develop, organize, mentor, and motivate a diverse team.
• Experience in fundraising from a diverse donor portfolio.

9. Required Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge on developing and executing Strategies and Business plans
• High level financial management skills to steer the operational budget and ensure full compliance
• Proven analytical skills and ability to think strategically
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Skills to motivate and influence internally and externally
• Very good level of IT literacy and an understanding of how new developments in technology can positively contribute to the aims of an INGO
• Fluent in French and English (professional English needed)
• Strong understanding of managing security and risk within a fragile context

Annex: Detailed Description of the CD Decision Making Scope, Role & Responsibilities

1. DECISION MAKING SCOPE

Line managed by the Regional Director and in compliance with Action Against Hunger standards, the CD is the decision maker on the following issues at Country level:

• 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 Action Against Hunger Charter
• Prevention of frauds and Power Abuses

The country strategy prepared by the Country Director is validated at Regional level.

2. 0 DETAILED ROLE & 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 elements.

2.1 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 Action Against Hunger global 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.

2.2. PROGRAMMING:

Key role: Oversee country programming to ensure the effective and efficient design, implementation and evaluation of Action Against Hunger programs and projects.

• Ensure that programs are in line with the country’s context and Action Against Hunger’s global vision and mission;
• 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 country office is ready and able to respond to emergencies when they occur and oversee the country office response during emergencies;
• Ensure the development and implementation of a country advocacy agenda that supports country programs and is aligned with Action Against Hunger priorities;
• Ensure that systems and staff are in place to guarantee that country programs are:
• Designed and implemented based on sound analysis;
• Address the underlying causes and effects of malnutrition;
• In line with Action Against Hunger Programming Principles;
• Consistent with Action Against Hunger’s standards for program quality and ACTION AGAINST HUNGER technical strategies.
• Verify that proper monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to demonstrate impact of Action Against Hunger’s programs and that learning is incorporated into programs to ensure on-going improvements;
• Ensure the regular production of Action Against Hunger dashboards and monitoring tools including SitRep and activity progress reports;
• Pilot the follow-up on internal and external audit recommendations.

2.3. EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS:

Key role: Develop and enhance relationships between the country office and donors’ representatives, civil society, private sector, government agencies and other organizations, acknowledging diversity as an asset of the humanitarian community, so that Action Against Hunger 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 Action Against Hunger spokesperson as required.

2.4. SECURITY:

Key role: Lead the preparation, regular updating and implementation of the security plan in line with Action Against Hunger standards and procedures

• Ensure the country office has a security plan in place in line with Action Against Hunger standards;
• Ensure that security plan is properly followed
• Ensure 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 the Regional Office;
• Pilot the follow-up on security internal and external audit recommendations.

2.5. MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Key role: Oversee the management and development of country office human resources and create a shared vision, among all staff, of Action Against Hunger’s values and program’s aims and their role in achieving these

1. Direct line management of staff

• Be part of the recruitment and orientation of new senior staff and of the recruitment of all positions directly line managed by the CD;
• Provide proper supervision and management for all function under direct supervision of the CD;
• 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 Action Against Hunger’s performance management system for direct reports, including updating and revision of job description, monthly 10 Minute Conversations, mid-term and final appraisal;
• Ensure that Senior Leadership Team at country level operates in a transparent and participatory manner.

1. Human resources

• Ensure country office has a HR strategy and a staff development plan;
• Ensure country office 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 country office to respond to challenges;
• Actively promote staff wellness by monitoring working climate and staff engagement and taking corrective actions as needed;
• Ensure that strong HR strategies, systems, policies and processes are in place and monitored
• Ensure that national and international staff teams work effectively together and achieve the program objectives;
• Ensure the follow-up on HR internal and external audit recommendations.

2.6. 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 Action Against Hunger policies and donor requirements.

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

2.7. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH REGIONAL OFFICE

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

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

How to apply

To Apply Click the Link below.

https://apply.workable.com/action-against-hunger/j/BFC620BB97/