Country Director in Zambia

Location: Zambia / Lusaka (50%), Field (50%)
Starting date: according to availability
Duration: 24 months with possibility of extension
Languages: Excellent English

People in Need (PIN) is an international non-profit organization providing relief and development assistance in over 20 countries worldwide. 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. PIN has been has been operational since 2017 in Zambia with its main office in Mongu, and operations in Lusaka too. We have been implementing projects focusing on multisectorial response covering good governance, WASH, nutrition, agriculture, livelihood, and education. PIN also continues to increase its humanitarian interventions in the country for both environmental disasters and displacement. More can be found on our website.

About the role:

Country Director (CD) is the main representative of PIN Country Program and is responsible for strategic leadership and envisioning overall program development. CD supervises the 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. CD is also responsible for internal and external representation, fundraising and the country program’s economy.

Reporting relations and Interdependencies with other functions

CD’s reports to the Africa Regional Director. S/he directly supervises Head of Programs (HoP), Program Quality (MEAL) 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 Country Program Coordinator (CPC). CD consults with CPC on all the decisions of strategic importance and collaborate extensively in the management of the country program.

Main responsibilities:

Management

• Plan development of the country programme strategy in accordance with the country context, needs and priorities of PIN in Zambia and RDD (Relief and Development Department) globally.
• Ensuring good, dynamic, and empowering team development & management of key senior/medium management layers.
• 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, supports and supervises senior programme staff, follows all critical phases of the Project Cycle Management (PCM), and actively participates and leads the design of new programmes/projects.
• Responsible for keeping high quality of programming and 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, in line with PIN country priorities 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. Liaise with development counterparts and actors to contribute for better understanding and response towards challenging topics and areas in the country.

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 legislations.

Logistics and finance

• CD supervises the operations and logistics department, approves all-important purchases.
• Oversight of mission economy and assurance of appropriate and relevant usage of operational/program budgets.

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

• Good 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 program management, fundraising, project development, and donor liaison.
• Experience in networking, partnership building and partnership management.
• Knowledge of institutional donor environment, proven experience with donor relations, proposal development and external communication.
• Experience with strategic program planning, project cycle management, (at least basic) knowledge of the institutional donor environment (incl. EC, UN agencies, USAID etc.).

Other competencies, skills and other requirements

• University degree in relevant field (preferably focusing on management)
• 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 travel in remote settings within the country (long distances) & time-flexibility based on acute/high needs

PIN offers:

• Working environment in a well-established and growing humanitarian organization;
• Salary and benefits according to PIN’s salary scale. Expected salary 3,910-4,060 EUR (monthly per diems of 1,260 EUR are already included) based on experience;
• 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
• Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultations available online (incl. couching, mentoring)
• Travel insurance (covers the health care incl. the repatriation)
• PIN’s family policy under consideration
• Free access to e-learning sites, global PIN’s Induction Training, and individually tailored capacity building opportunities

How to Apply:

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV (no longer than 4 pages) and short cover letter via our application form. 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).