Summary
Malawi, Zambia and
Zimbabwe have a population of approximately 16.36 million, 14.54 million and
14.15 million people respectively. These country offices have worked
intensively with traditional development funders. However, we intend to expand
the funding sources in our portfolio and therefore seek someone who can lead
the Africare programs in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to develop a more
diversified funding base. Support from traditional donors will remain a key
portion of the portfolio, though, so the ideal candidate should also be
comfortable managing these relations as well.
The Country Director
(CD) is a well-established manager and diplomat who serves as the primary
representative and provides leadership to all Africare programs in the
countries assigned. The CD reports to the Chief of Programs. The CD ensures
that all activities are responsive to the needs of the host country. S/he is a
spokesperson for Africare in the country and the primary communication link
between the in-country program(s) and Africare headquarters. Responsibilities
include: analysis and interpretation of the country’s development needs and
opportunities; program development and fundraising; staff development and
supervision; oversight of administrative and financial management in country;
and project monitoring, documentation and reporting. The CD provides leadership
as well as technical and logistical guidance to ongoing projects, development
of new business, and administrative functions.
Duties and
Responsibilities
Business
Development:
- Provides
leadership to Africare operations by establishing and maintaining
cooperative relationships with private sector firms, government officials,
host country planners and staff, local officials, third country and
international development personnel, and U.S. Government/non-government
personnel.
- Establishes
and maintains close contact with officials and representatives of other
agencies and organizations for the purpose of interpreting and stimulating
interest in Africare goals, objectives, philosophies, and resources as
they relate to host country priorities and projects.
- In
conjunction with Africare staff and key host country personnel, analyzes
and interprets the country’s social and economic development needs and
opportunities, providing technical guidance in the preparation of project
requests and associated documentation.
- Engages
international agencies, foundations and businesses to widen opportunities
for collaboration and project funding.
- Engages
Africare’s technical units in initiating new business development
activities following Africare’s Opportunity Review process.
- Responsible
for constant review and analysis of evaluations and best practices
developed during the implementation of Africare projects throughout the
continent to ensure incorporation into business development programs with
potential partners.
- Determines
new areas of Africare involvement while developing and implementing viable
projects that offer employees the opportunity for job success.
Human Resource
Management:
- Supervises
all Africare staff members and contract personnel in the country of
assignment.
- Undertakes
annual performance appraisal of staff in accordance with Africare
policies.
- Establishes
rapport with staff/personnel, and is responsible for ensuring a healthy
work environment across all field offices in the country of assignment.
- Administrative
and Financial Management:
- As
County Director, you will work closely with the Director of Finance and
Administration (who has a dual report and works under the fiduciary
direction and oversight of Africare’s Chief Financial Officer; and is
responsible for the day-to-day financial management of the country
office). The Director of Finance and Administration will assist the
Country Director in the timely submission of any proposals to Africare’s
headquarters. S/he will also advise either you when the financial
performance of the country office has been compromised and/or is
inconsistent with projected or actual budgets. In coordination with you,
the director of finance and administration will prepare monthly financial
reports and quarterly funds requests that are reported to headquarters;
and will approve all invoices and payments before seeking your approval.
Project Management:
- Assesses,
monitors and evaluates project activities to ensure adherence to goals
prescribed in project plans and consistency between budget burn rates and
activity implementation rates. - Ensures
that all prescribed conditions for ongoing programs are being met, and
that national/local officials are operating on the same understanding with
regard to ongoing projects. Adheres to established program schedules, and
completion of assigned work in accordance with deadlines established for
projects.
- Serves
as team member with Africare/Washington evaluation personnel, providing
technical assistance and counsel with respect to programmatic and
operational evaluations. - Assures
preparation and timely submission of country plans or reports and
programmatic recommendations for International Program Office review and
consideration, including budgetary, administrative, program, training, and
related documentation. - Performs
other related duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Minimum
of 10 years of management experience with progressively increasing
responsibility. Excellent supervisory skills working with diverse staff.
- Documented
experience in producing high quality technical and cost proposals that are
approved for donor or private-sector funding. Track record of building
partnerships and networks with PVOs, the private sector, and other
development partners.
- Experience
developing funding opportunities through fostering relationships with
international donor agencies, foundations, U. S. and foreign private
sector, and other domestic sources.
- Minimum
Bachelors Degree (Master’s Preferred) in development management,
agriculture, health, finance or public administration, with a focus on
Africa preferred.
- Strong
understanding of US government funding regulations (other donors such as
the UN system and private foundations strongly preferred in addition).
- Excellent
communication and analytical skills.
- Previous
experience in strategic planning and participatory processes.
Africare offers a
competitive salary along with an excellent benefits package.
How to
Apply:
Applications should
include a CV and cover letter. In the cover letter (of no more than two pages
in length) the candidate should briefly describe his or her motivation for the
position and highlight relevant experience.
Please send CVs to humanresources@africare.org,
including “COUNTRY
DIRECTOR” in the subject line. The position will remain
open until filled.
Unfortunately,
due to the large number of applications that we receive, we are not able to
respond to each individual candidate; only short listed candidates will be
contacted.
