Country: Sierra Leone
Closing date: 15 Jul 2015
CORDAID
Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. We stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders. We make a difference where it is most needed.
Together with more than 800 organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion. We do that where natural disasters strike, where conflicts tear up communities and where underdevelopment keep families in extreme poverty. In the Netherlands we are known as Cordaid Memisa, Cordaid Mensen in Nood, Cordaid Kinderstem, Cordaid Bond zonder Naam and Cordaid Microkrediet.
For the Cordaid Country office in Sierra Leone/Freetown, Cordaid is looking for a
Country Director
Introduction
The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), is implementing a national Results Based Financing (RBF) scheme with grant support from the World Bank. MoHS and Cordaid are planning to improve this scheme. The project’s overall goal is “to increase coverage of quality maternal and child health interventions and to build effective infection control mechanisms”. This will take place in the current context of the national health system which is heavily challenged by the Ebola outbreak.
Cordaid played a strong role in fighting the Ebola crisis (Health and Emergency). Parallel to the humanitarian assistance a Food Security program implemented with local partners continued. With a limited number of staff in Sierra Leone and a network of local organizations Cordaid develops a longer term program in Sierra Leone for Entrepreneurship, Health and Food Security. Cordaid envisages an extension and broadening of the program in Sierra Leone post Ebola using the funding announced by institutional donors. This requires a strong and coordinated fundraising strategy connected to program development. A light Cordaid structure (recognized as Cordaid Country Office) in Freetown will support the fundraising strategy and program development. A step by step approach in the development of the office allows for incremental growth. The first six month period will focus on identification and follow up of tangible fundraising leads.
Position and responsibility
The Country Director will report to the Team Leader - Country Offices, Cordaid.
He/she is responsible for integral management of the Cordaid Freetown office. At this moment 6 national staff members are working in Cordaid Office in Freetown and there are 3 international staff .
General objective and responsibility of the job
Responsible for realization of Country Office targets.
Final responsibility for the management of Cordaid office in Freetown and Cordaid programs in Sierra Leone.
Specific objectives
The Director will lead the Country Office and coordinate fundraising. He/she will represent Cordaid with authorities and donor organizations.
Keeps track of developments within the projects, manages the activities within the team and makes the necessary adjustments, taking into account the business/action plan, governmental policies, relations with strategic partners, donor policies and the efficient allocation of resources.
Leads personnel in accordance with the management style and social policy of Cordaid, focused on results, employee development and satisfaction. Ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work.
As Country director the person will also be in charge of the safety and security policy and its implementation.
Qualifications
- Academic degree in agriculture, health, economy, business/public administration, social sciences or other subject related to international cooperation.
- At least 5 years of experience with managing and monitoring relief, reconstruction and development programs, preferably also with EC or WB funded programs.
- Needs to have excellent networking and fundraising skills.
- Experience in project planning and implementing security policy in insecure areas.
- Experience in reporting requirements of institutional donors and working with local NGOs.
- Excellent management skills including human resource and financial management, communication and intercultural cooperation skills.
- Experience with human security, health, food security and entrepreneurship programs is an asset.
- Experience in coping with national and international political pressure.
- A human centered approach to management and ability to promote and structure teamwork.
- A networker, diplomatic and result oriented.
- Ability to work under stressful and time bound project conditions.
- Good oral and written communication skills in English language.
- Awareness of external environment and a firm and assertive negotiator.
- Analytical and problem solving mind.
- Flexible and capable of working in a stressful context.
- Experience in Sierra Leone will be an advantage.
Specifics of station
This is a non-accompanied posting.
Contract information
The contract period is for 6 months starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period. We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package which includes R&R , a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution and a holiday allowance.
How to apply:
Further information & how to apply
Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded before 15 July 2015.
An assessment might be part of the procedure.
Please note that we accept applications through our website only: https://www.cordaid.org/en/about-us/working-cordaid/vacancy-overview/international/, then select the relevant vacancy, and click on the ‘apply’ button.