Central African Republic: Director Country Office Cordaid, Central African Republic

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 and Cordaid Investments.

For the Cordaid Country office in Bangui, Central African Republic, Cordaid is looking for a

Director Country Office

Introduction

Cordaid has 30 years of experience in the Central African Republic, working with civil society partners and the Catholic Church on both emergency relief and long term development programs. In 2008 Cordaid decided to become operational itself in CAR, and opened offices in the provinces (Nana Mamberé) as well as in Bangui to carry out health programs through the performance based financing approach. The health program gradually expanded and was fledged out by activities in the field of Education, Security and Justice, Relief and Food Security. The office was temporarily suspended in the fall of 2015 due to a periodically worsening security situation. In northern parts of the country relief operations are still necessary, whereas in other parts a shift can be made to longer term development. Donors (EU, Dutch Government, DFID, World Bank, UN agencies) now make larger funds available to enable flexible operations. Cordaid is known as a reputable partner and stands to attract significant donor funding.

The program, therefore, is expanding with investments in 2015 to the tune of € 5 mio expected to grow towards € 8 mio in 2018, staffing now at 6 expats (1 vacancy) and 62 national staff over 4 offices, including the central office in Bangui.

Position and responsibility

The Director Country Office will report to the Director International Offices. He or she is the line manager for all staff of the Cordaid CAR office.

General objective of the posting

• Is responsible for realization of Country Office targets;
• The Management of the Cordaid office in Bangui and its sub locations;
• Networking, representation and acquisition.

Specific objectives

• Country Strategy:

  Monitors the progress and interdependencies of different projects from different business units, taking into account the developments in the country/regions, and proposes improvements in the chosen strategy.

• Cooperation benefits:

  Creates partnerships between governmental institutions, donors, partner organisations and (inter)national non-governmental organisations, taking into account the agreed programme results.

• Funds:

  Interacts with (potential) local/institutional donors, convincingly augmenting the added value of Cordaid as to acquire funds and ensure the future funding for the programme(s) in the designated country/region.

• Business/Action plan:

  Translates the agreed Country Office targets into a Business/Action Plan for the Country Office, with specific results in designated project areas while securing the connection with the Cordaid strategy.

• Program Management:

  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, donor policies and the allocation of resources and preventing mission creep.

• Risk Management:

  Assesses security, political, administrative and financial risks in projects and realises the security of the Cordaid team, consultants and Cordaid visitors, according to the Cordaid Safety First Manual.

• Program Reports:

  Collects information within the programme and reports about the results.

• Personnel Management:

  Leads personnel in accordance with the management style and social policy of Cordaid, focused on productivity, employee development and satisfaction; ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work.

  Qualifications

• Academic degree in International law, International Development, MBA health, economy, business/public administration, social sciences or other subject related to international cooperation;

• Excellent management skills including human resource and financial management, communication and intercultural cooperation skills;

• At least 10 years experience with managing and monitoring development programs, preferably with institutional donors e.g. WB, EU, USAID and Foundations;

• Experience in reporting requirements of institutional donors and in partnerships with local organizations;

• Experience in security management;

• Experience in implementing security policy in insecure areas;

• A human centred approach to management and ability to promote and structure teamwork;

• A networker;

• Ability to work under stressful and time bound project conditions;

• Good oral and written communication skills in French and English language;

• Diplomatic and goal driven;

• Analytical and problem solving mind;

• Flexible and capable of working in a stressful context.

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, a holiday allowance, 13^th month, hardship allowance and cost of living allowance (if applicable).

Further information & how to apply

Applications including a motivation letter on attn. of mr Piet Spaarman, Director International Offices and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded before July 1st, 2016, through our website only: https://www.cordaid.org/en/vacatures/150563-2/ and click on the apply button.