CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: American Refugee Committee International
Country: Liberia
Closing date: 31 Oct 2014

POSITION TITLE: Country Director
COUNTRY PROGRAM: Liberia
RESPONSIBLE TO: HQ Response Team Leader
STATUS: Full Time
SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: Program employees

DATE:ASAP

APPLICATION DEADLINE:October 31, 2014

COUNTRY PROGRAM MISSION:

The American Refugee Committee seeks to establish an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Liberia. The ETU will be a high-capacity, isolated unit with up to 30 beds, which will require the oversight of approximately 125 staff, over a period of 6-9 months. Given the magnitude of the need, the plan is to set up the ETU immediately. Staff safety is an absolute priority and strict adherence to infection control procedures will be undertaken to protect staff. Given the tedious nature of the work, personal protective equipment which must be worn at all times in the heat and need for strict adherence to infection control protocols, staff will have ample rest time.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Based in Monrovia, the Country Director is responsible for the planning, management and development of ARC’s programming in Liberia. The Country Director is responsible for ensuring that ARC’s activities contribute to the short, medium and long-term needs of the Liberia program, within the framework of ARC's organizational objectives. The Country Director provides strategic leadership to the country to maintain a high performing team, develop new grants and align strategy and implementation activities. The Country Director also serves as the primary liaison with the Response Team Leader in the Program Management Unit who work to ensure rapid resolution of obstacles and links to the technical and program development team in the Program Development and Quality Unit. The Country Director has ultimate responsibility for all security issues. The Country Director needs to be a strategic thinker and be able to implement emergency programming.

MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management

• Ensure program targets and quality standards are achieved, maintaining frequent communication with ARC headquarters to promptly identify and resolve challenges.
• Implement solid program management disciplines to ensure program effectiveness, quality and innovation.
• Coordinate all aspects of programming with other ARC programs and initiatives as appropriate.
• Ensure proper maintenance of procurement and inventory management systems consistent with donor guidelines and ARC policies.
• Communicate and oversee the establishment and implementation of program objectives, activities, evaluations, and assessments.
• Ensure that program teams have the necessary tools, resources, information, and assistance to deliver services that meet or exceed internationally accepted standards and protocols.
• Support learning from success and failure, documenting best practices and facilitating collaboration.
• Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of program activities and timely submission of donor reports and other requirements/requests.
• Coordinate all aspects of programming with other ARC programs and initiatives as appropriate.
• Ensure strategic design and implementation of programs with annual planning processes that incorporate relevant elements of the overall ARC Strategic and Program Plans.

Program Development

• Represent ARC with donors, the host authorities, and international and national organizations.
• Lead the development and achievement of country strategy and develop strong revenue projections.
• Proactively cultivate relationships with existing and new donors, analyzing the funding environment and trends, and fostering a proactive approach to new funding opportunities.
• Identify new programs in the area and region and prepare assessment missions and reports and develop new projects as needs and resources dictate.
• Manage collaborative proposal development process to ensure proposals are strategically aligned, technically strong, achievable and realistically budgeted.
• Manage staff responsible for financial and narrative report writing and submission to donors in a timely manner.
• Ensure that team is monitoring burn rate and meeting monthly projections.
• Diversify funding and develop key contacts with USAID and other major donors and foundations.
• Build and strengthen external relationships and represent ARC with donors, the host government, international and national organizations; facilitate partnerships with other organizations for programming and advocacy.
• Direct fundraising activities under supervision of ARC/HQ.
• Build capacity of Liberia teams to write successful proposals, providing training and coaching to increase the confidence and skills of staff.
• Liaise and promote cooperation with other agencies and governmental entities.
• Participate in interagency and governmental meetings.

Administration

• Ensure that strict policies and protocols are carried out.
• Monitor the security situation and ensure security protocols and procedures are followed.
• Monitor and ensure that all administrative procedures are observed.

Personnel Management

• Work with HQ and local HR teams in the selection, hiring, orientation and mentoring of professional and productive international and national staff.
• Ensure staff is properly trained and performance expectations are clear.
• Review and adjust organizational structure and job descriptions as needed to provide clear work expectations and adequate resources for achieving program goals.
• Conduct performance reviews and support staff in their ongoing professional development.
• Work collaboratively with headquarters as needed to respond to and manage employee and work environment issues.
• Ensure operating policies, procedures, and communication protocols are clear and consistent.
• Strive to maintain full staffing at all times; ensure staff are properly trained on duties and expectations are clear; personnel files are current; policies are current and implemented for expat and local staff; review, approve and submit all staff timesheets prior to monthly payroll; conduct performance assessments and provide coaching and feedback regularly and appropriately.

Financial Management

• Work closely with Finance Controller on all aspects related to finance.
• Develop and monitor the annual operational budget and ensure timely management of financial reporting, audit compliance, and cash flow.
• Monitor all financial expenditures including burn rate, accounts payable, petty cash, etc.
• Ensure all fiscal controls and donor required policy controls are carried out.
• Provide oversight of country program budgets and management of program spending.
• Anticipate potential funding gaps, develop contingency plans, and closely monitor costs to prevent uncovered program cost.
• Prepare and submit activity reports to donors as well as monthly updates to headquarters.
• Prepare and forecast budgets and funding needs for the upcoming year.
• Oversee cash management and recordkeeping in accordance with donor regulations.
• Ensure financial reports are submitted in a timely manner. Prepare and submit activity reports to Donors as well as monthly updates to headquarters.

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Undergraduate degree required. Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum five years with progressively responsible international management experience in humanitarian assistance programs in complex emergency situations
• Good knowledge of the principal players, issues, policies and trends in the international humanitarian arena.
• Experience in Liberia or West Africa strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and application of the relief to development continuum.
• Excellent English writing skills
• Familiarity with US government (BPRM, OFDA, USAID), DFID, UN, private, and multi-lateral funders.
• Demonstrated financial management experience with NGOs. Demonstrated success in program development, implementation, project monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage a diverse team effectively, balance the interests of different stakeholders and provide excellent leadership by maintaining a constructive work environment and setting a positive example.
• Excellent organizational, administrative and management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES:
• Commitment to personally champion ARC’s program vision and mission and inspire others to do the same.
• Has worked in both an emergency and a development setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including effective presentation and facilitation skills
• Strong leadership and management skills including strategy formation, process improvement and team building.
• Excellent strategic thinking, process management and problem solving skills
• Collaborative, result-oriented management style.
• Initiative, resourcefulness and innovation.
• Experience in managing multi-cultural and multi-level (numerous offices) programs.
• Strong participatory leadership and interpersonal skills. Ability to motivate staff and lead a high performing team in a politically sensitive environment.
• Strong oral and written communications skills; strong computer skills.
• Fluency in English required.
• Fluency or working knowledge of local languages desirable.

How to apply:

Click here to apply