NEW Country Director, Burundi Senior level – Senior IRC – International Rescue Committee Bujumbura

Background:

IRC started working in Burundi in 1996, providing lifesaving interventions and emergency assistance to refugees and internally displaced people. Over the years, we helped the country rebuild following civil war. Now, the IRC aims to ensure support to refugee in camps in Burundi, and the durable reintegration of returning Burundian refugees and supporting host communities through protection; economic recovery and development; and environmental health programming. 

Scope of Work 

Reporting to the Regional Vice President, the Country Director will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the country program. S/he is responsible for ensuring the design and delivery of quality programs, donor and government relations, fundraising and budget management, security and operations management, and developing a motivated and professional team. S/he will work closely with and receive support from regional and headquarters program technical units; measurement unit; safety and security unit; regional finance and operations staff. 

The IRC Country Director is responsible for overall leadership and supervisory management of IRC personnel, programs, and operations in the country, including stewardship of resources, staff safety and security, program quality and accountability, and performance management. The Country Director is IRC’s principal representative to Burundian government officials, donors, international organizations, Burundian civil society, other NGOs and the media. The Country Director will lead country program staff in developing and implementing the Strategic Action Plan and in pursuing the outcomes and objectives identified in IRC’s global strategy.  

The Country Director directly supervises six positions in a country program of approximately 200 staff. 

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Management

• Working closely with the Regional Vice President, and the regional team, implement and adapt as necessary the Strategy Action Plan for IRC Burundi.
• Ensure that structures and systems are in compliance with IRC standards, and that they support program delivery and promote management coordination and efficiency throughout the country program
• Participate and assist in driving planning processes for IRC’s current programs across Burundi to ensure IRC’s technical competencies, contextual knowledge and partnerships with national partners, community groups, governments, donors and civil society are leveraged to provide new and innovative programs within the rapidly changing environment.

Program Quality & Development

• Working closely with the Deputy Program Director (DDP) and Regional Program Support Unit, develop program strategies in accordance with IRCs mission and the Outcome and Evidence Framework.
• Ensure compliance with IRC standards, with particular attention to accountability to donors, prevention of fraud and diversion of aid, transparency towards donors, beneficiaries and the wider IRC partnership.
• Ensure the consistent use of well managed assessment, design and proposal development processes.
• Promote a team approach and positive learning environment utilizing headquarters, country program and operations staff and partners to consistently enhance the quality of design and implementation.

Key Partner & Donor Relations

• Working closely with the Awards Management Unit, develop IRC as a partner of choice for major international donors.
• Promote partnership with local organization, international agencies and ensure collaboration with coordination bodies at national and regional level.
• Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donor priorities, country plans and planned funding initiatives.
• Maintain and expand participation with key donors, host government, local Partners and relevant policy and coordinating bodies.

Fundraising and Budget Management

• Working closely with the SMT, regional, country and HQ Finance teams ensure submission of appropriate, timely high quality proposals and lead required donor negotiations.
• Monitor and identify appropriate sources for match fund requirements and coverage of funding gaps.
• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Finance, provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of the country program including identification and implementation of required changes to match funding levels.
• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and Deputy Director of Finance, maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds and discretionary funds.

Security & Operations Management

• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Operation and in coordination with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor ensure that the security management plan for the country program is regularly updated, and ensure consistent monitoring and analysis of the security environment and adherence by all staff to the IRC security protocols and procedures.
• Working with country senior management team ensure the development, implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure compliance with IRC and donor policies across the program.
• Promote coordination and teamwork between program and operations staff to improve quality of proposal submissions and program delivery.

Human Resource Management, Staff Development & Retention

• Working closely with the People & Culture (P&C) Coordinator, Regional P&C Director and the P&C  Unit at HQ, develop a positive work environment for all staff supported by a professional level human resource management function.
• Support and hold senior management staff accountable for providing staff development opportunities and planning.
• Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global and National HR Operating Policies and Procedures.
• Model the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct, through demonstrable realization of values: Integrity; Accountability; Service and Equality
• Champion the IRC’s approach to Gender Equality, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and Safeguarding, ensuring that all staff and clients are protected and respected in the IRC programmes.
• Seek opportunities to introduce efficiencies and eliminate redundancies in existing business processes and organizational structures.

Communications

• Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages open, honest and productive communication among IRC staff and with partner organizations.
• Maintain open communications with regional management staff, regional technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Central Africa Regional VP; Central Africa & Central Africa regional team; other Central Africa & Central Africa Country Directors; HQ departmental staff, as appropriate.

External: Partner organizations, host country government officials, public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, foreign governments.

Requirements : 

• Graduate degree in relevant field or equivalent experience.
• A strategic and people focused leader with the ability to adapt to evolving contexts and manage multiple priorities.
• At least ten years of international work experience at senior leadership levels, covering both humanitarian and post-conflict development programming.
• Previous and lived experience in Central Africa region preferred.
• Extensive program development and fund-raising experience, prior experience with European, US and international donors;
• Strong human resource management skills including capacity building and mentoring.
• Demonstrate strong leadership abilities and interpersonal skills
• Experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting.
• Demonstrated success in managing projects.
• Extensive budget and fiscal oversight experience.
• A keen understanding of political complexities in the region, as they relate to post conflict recovery.
• Fluency in English and French with Kirundi as an added value.

Working Environment

• Ability to work and live in a complex environment.
• This post is accompanied   and includes: vacation leave, home leave, R&R, Health coverage, pension, housing, water, electricity, internet connectivity, and other generous benefits.

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality

IRC acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status or disability any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

IRC particularly welcomes applications from Burundi nationals, diaspora or those with lived experience from the region. IRC is also committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

CVs to be submitted in English.

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