Country Director Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Organization: Adeso - African Development Solutions
 
Position Title: Deputy Country Director – Somalia
 
Reporting to: Country Director, Somalia
 
Working with: Program team in Somalia, Country Director, Program Quality Team in Nairobi
 
Program/ Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
 
Duration: 10 months with possibility of extension
 
Starting date: Immediate
 
Salary Grade: Country Director Level 1 Scale

 Organizational Context

Adeso, formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. 

At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. 

Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. 

We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. 

Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. 

It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

Position Purpose
 
The Deputy Country Director (DCD), in collaboration with the Somalia Country Director (CD), is responsible for the ongoing program planning and development, donor representation, and daily oversight and management of Adeso’s Somalia programs. 

The position is based in Nairobi and Somalia with regular travel to program sites in all Somalia. 

The DCD reports to the Somalia CD. The DCD is responsible for the all operational activities of programs in Somalia, including oversight of logistics and security. 

The DCD, under the guidance and direct supervision of the CD, is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, supervision, and expansion/development of the Somalia program portfolio. 

The DCD oversees the technical and program teams, including the Managers/Directors, Technical Advisors and the M&E team. 

The DCD is responsible for ensuring that all programmatic deliverables are met, that programs remain on schedule, that program quality is assured, and that staff have access to all necessary technical resources
Specific Roles and Responsibilities
 
Program Management
  • Provide policy guidance, training and ongoing guidance to all program staff for Somalia 
  • Ensure all activities are conducted timely, cost and quality effective 
  • Represent the organization and liaise with local and national authorities, UN, NGO, and donor agencies to promote programs implemented in Somalia, facilitate successful coordination of activities and ensure transparency in the community 
  • Prepare monthly reports to the Country Director according to internal procedures 
  • Identify new projects and make recommendations to the Country Director 
  • Participate in reviewing proposal applications 
  • Provide inputs and assistance to programs in Somalia with particular reference to financial management and reporting systems
Compliance 
  • Oversee program operations and reporting in Somalia, ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures, donor regulations and local laws 
  • Monitor and report on all program activities to Country Director
Program Development 
  • Assist Country Director in expanding country portfolio in Somalia 
  • Pursue new sources of donor funding and maintain adequate donor funding levels to sustain identified program and support activities 
  • Remain aware of donor funding intentions
  • Participate in relevant cluster coordination in Nairobi to ensure the organization’s programs playing a vital role and to secure required support from the cluster coordination mechanism and the UN funding instruments such as CAP, CHF, etc.
Human Resources
  • Oversee the recruitment and selection of qualified program field staff for Somalia, recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with supervisors 
  • Collaborate with security officer/CD to maintain security of staff in all locations 
  • Make frequent site visits to facilities to ensure that appropriate care and training are being conducted and to offer support to field staff 
  • Maintain open lines of communications with all field staff
Training/ Capacity Building 
  • Determine training needs for the field staff 
  • Train senior national staff to increase their responsibilities in order to build capacity and ensure sustainability of programs in South Somalia 
  • Advocate and plan for professional development for expat and national staff
Working Relationships
  • Maintain frequent communication with Country Director to ensure program activities and objectives are communicated
  • Work with Finance Manager Somalia, Program Quality team, Security and Logistics staff to ensure the coordination of programs 
  • Attend coordination meetings which are relevant to Somalia program activities 
  • Represent the organization at task force meetings, assessment missions, coordination meetings, UN coordination meetings, INGO coordination meetings 
  • Interface with relevant agencies to ensure mutual understanding of programs and maximize resource distribution and allocation of available funds
Representation
  • Serve as a liaison with Donors on matters related to the program to ensure financial and programmatic accountability to donors
  • Establish and update contact details of potential donors in-country 
  • Participate in donor meetings and communicate relevant information to CD
  •  Work with key donor staff to develop and maintain optimum financial and programmatic relationship 
  • Ensure maximum visibility of the agency amongst the NGO community 
  • Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the organizations Code of Conduct, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to internal and external actors
Security  
  • Monitor security level and consult with the Regional Security Manager to upgrade or downgrade security level 
  • Responsible for ensuring that Incident Report Forms are completed and submitted to CD in a timely manner (within 12 hours) 
  • Ensure application and compliance of security protocols and policies 
  • In cooperation with the Regional Security Manager, monitor the security situation and inform the Country Director through weekly security reports 
  • Collect and document local security related information (social & political context, external players, presence/reasons for conflict, military developments, political economy of armed groups), and communicates to the Country Director 
  • Collaborate with local agencies to aid with security management
Skills and Qualifications
  • Minimum of five years as senior field representative of an INGO/IO/UN in a complex emergency environment, including senior donor liaison and program management.
  • Knowledge of an direct experience with donor rules, regulations and reporting standards (particularly USAID/OFDA, EC, ECHO, OCHA, and DFID);
  • Experience managing a large team of international and national staff in an insecure environment.
  • Proven track record of successful proposal writing with major donors, and sound knowledge of donor practices and budget/financial control.
  • Masters degree in Public Policy, International/Humanitarian Affairs or similar.
  • Experience working in an insecure environment.
  • Cultural sensitivity and a commitment to national staff development.
  • Practical field experience in multiple target sectors, including Food Security, water and sanitation, education, community mobilization, livestock, livelihoods, protection.
  • Experience in single year and emergency-funded programs, project start up and training local staff.
  • Self-motivated, able to work effectively in a sometimes harsh and unpredictable environment.
  • Team player, committed to motivating and leading staff.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills (must be able to provide an independently created and relevant writing sample).
  • Previous experience in country or extensive knowledge of the issues facing Somalia.
  • Extensive knowledge and appreciation for strong monitoring systems and experience developing them
  • Familiarity with development and emergency international funding mechanisms
  • Excellent written and spoken English; ability to draft high quality, donor-ready reports without support; Somali language skills a plus
Application Process
 
This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. 

If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 24th June, 2013.
 
Each application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the following:
  • An updated CV; and
  • An application letter which should include cover letter, remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.
 
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.


www.adesoafrica.org