Country Director in Zambia

Location: Zambia / Mongu, Western province and other field locations (50%), Lusaka (50%)

Starting date: according to availability

Duration: 24 months with possibility of extension

Languages: English

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech NGO that provides relief and development assistance in over 20 countries around the world. Formed in 1992, PIN has grown to be the biggest organisation of its kind in Central Europe, providing relief where it is needed, and empowering civil society in Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. People in Need (PIN) has been present in Zambia since 2017. With its main office in Mongu, Western province, we have been implementing projects focusing on multisectorial response covering nutrition, agriculture, livelihood, education, WASH and energy. PIN also continues to increase it humanitarian interventions in the country for both environmental disasters and displacement. More can be found on our website: People in Need - Zambia.

Country Director (CD) is the main representative of PIN country and provincial levels and is responsible for strategic leadership of the country programme. CD supervises the country programs, finances, human resources, logistics and security. Many of the CD's responsibilities consists of medium-term and long-term activities, such as strategic planning, establishment and maintenance of managerial procedures and staff development through supporting, motivating and engaging the country programme’s staff. The CD is also responsible for internal and external representation, fundraising and the country program’s economy.

Reporting relations and Interdependencies with other functions

The CD’s reports to the Africa Regional Director. CD directly supervises Head of Programs and the heads of support departments. In the absence of the key staff CD may need to bridge reporting lines. The counterpart of the CD at HQ level is The Desk Officer (DO). CD consults with DO on all decisions of strategic importance and collaborate extensively in the management of the country program.

Main responsibilities:

Management

• Plan development of the country programme in accordance with the local needs and priorities of PIN in Zambia.
• Lead the country programme team and overall coordination of all its operations.
• Supervise the country programs, finance, compliance and administration as well as human resources, logistics and security.
• Medium-term and long-term strategic planning, institutional development, staff capacity development, establishment and maintenance of managerial procedures, recording and putting in use of lessons learned and capacity building.

Program Management

• CD in cooperation with HoP (Head of Programs), supports and supervises senior programme staff, follows all phases of the Project cycle management (PCM), and actively participates and leads the design of new programmes.
• Responsible for the supervision of the organizations programs ensuring compliance with internal and external procedures.

External relations, representation and fundraising

• Network among donors and key stakeholders to actively seek funding opportunities, help increase the quality of proposals, understand donor priorities and ensure coordination.
• Actively contribute to development of new programs or projects, and in line with PIN country strategy and PIN Relief and Development Department strategy.
• Represent PIN at meetings with government partners and media, regional and local authorities, donors, local agencies, clusters, coordination bodies and other relevant stakeholders, at all levels of project implementation as required; Donor relationship management to understand donor priorities and ensure coordination.

Human Resource Management

• Plans HR requirements, including capacity-building needs for the staff in collaboration with heads of support departments or other line managers and ensures regular appraisals of all staff are performed.
• Ensures sufficient human resources are in place for the projects to meet their objectives.
• Ensures a coherent policy towards recruitment, remuneration and benefits across the country program and that this is compliant with local/international legislation.

Logistics

• CD supervises the operations and logistics department, approves all-important purchases.

Security

• Ensures that all security and safety rules (SOPs) are set-up and followed and regularly reviewed
• In cooperation with PIN security department ensures that security measures are adequate to a given situation.
• Incident management: Participates or leads critical security interventions or establishes investigations under the internal policies and procedures.

Requirements:

Key competencies and skills

• Solid leadership and staff management skills, with a record of managing diverse teams and contributing to the capacity building of national and international staff.
• Proven experience in management, fundraising, project development, donor liaison.
• Experience in networking, partnership building and partnership management.
• Knowledge of institutional donor environment, proven experience with donor relations, proposal development and external communications.
• Experience with strategic program planning, project cycle management, knowledge of the institutional donor environment, including the EC, DFID, USAID etc.

Other competencies, skills and other requirements

• University degree in relevant field
• Experience within the region and understanding of local dynamics
• At least five years of relevant experience, experience with development projects/international work experience.
• Reliable and self-reliant personality
• Dynamic and result-oriented with ability to organize and plan effectively, responsible and systematic
• Critical analysis and problem solving skills
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under pressure
• Cultural sensitivity
• Excellent communication skills, excellent spoken and written English.
• Strong ability and willingness to transfer knowledge
• Willing to live in remote settings and travel extensively within the country (long distances).

PIN offers:

• Work experience with professional and flexible International NGO, the largest in Central-Eastern Europe
• Salary according to the sector and experience
• Work in dynamic and motivated team
• Accommodation and local transport costs covered
• 2 flights to home country covered per year
• Costs of visas and vaccination covered
• 25 days of holiday per year
• Medical helpdesk (in the Czech Republic, provided in English)
• Travel insurance (covers the health care incl. the repatriation)
• Introduction Training in PIN Headquarters and participation in enriching annual meetings of all senior field staff in Prague

How to apply:

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV and short cover letter via this link. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).