Deputy Country Director - Somalia (RI)

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Position: Deputy Country Director

Location: Galkayo, Somalia

About RI: Relief International (RI), an international relief and development agency with cross-sectoral programs bridging relief and development, currently seeks a Deputy Country Director.

Position Summary: The Deputy Country Director, in collaboration with the Country Director, is responsible for the ongoing program planning and development, donor representation, and daily oversight and management of RI’s Somalia programs. The position is based in Nairobi with regular travel to program sites in Somalia. The Deputy Country Director reports to the Somalia Country Director.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Program Planning and Development 1. Develop, in cooperation with Somalia Country Director and HQ Program desk, short, medium and long-term strategic plans maintaining program focus in areas congruent with RI's program objectives. 2. Maintain effective communication with donors for coordination and partnership opportunities. 3. Identify new opportunities for program growth in coordination with the Somalia Country Director and the HQ desk. 4. Ensure representation and participation in NGO sector coordination groups and identify areas for coordination and collaboration. 5. Participation in UN cluster groups and identify areas for coordination and collaboration. 6. Negotiate contracts and agreements with donors in conjunction with other RI senior staff and HQ desk. 7. Maintain effective communication with RI's HQ, regarding program development, funding agreements and staffing. 8. Identify, and when necessary, initiate and maintain program partnerships with external implementing agencies.

Program Management 1. Work with the Country Director in the oversight and management of project implementation, including staff recruitment, oversight for procurement, logistics planning and ensuring that appropriate controls are maintained at all levels through vigilant monitoring of project process and impact indicators. 2. Oversee that key project activities are achieved per project budget, timeline, and donor requirements. 3. Ensure that team members are effective and efficient to ensure program success. Provide training and feedback to staff to ensure optimal performance. 4. Provide on-going support to sector coordinators and program implementation teams. 5. Serve as a link between RI and all project counterparts through sectoral coordination. 6. Work directly with Finance and Administrative Team to ensure overall grant compliance and financial transparency. 7. Serve as Country Director in the absence of the Country Director.

Reporting 1. Monitor all country programs to evaluate activity progress and determine necessary actions to improve achievements. 2. Provide program reports that are timely and meet institutional and donor requirements.

External Representation 1. Maintain a suitable image for RI and protect RI's interest and assets. 2. Liaise with donor governments and other lead agency representatives. 3. Represent RI at high level and routine meetings with donors and IO’s. 4. Initiate RI's response to disasters and emergencies when appropriate. 5. Facilitate donor visits to project sites as appropriate. 6. Represent RI at UN cluster meetings in a variety of sectors.

Other 1. Maintain organizational consistency through maintenance of strong and positive relations with field teams and HQ. 2. In collaboration with the CD and Security Staff, monitor the security situation in the RI’s program regions and ensure senior management are updated on security incidents with a potential to impact RI’s staff, beneficiaries, and assets. 3. The position requires frequent travel to project sites in Somalia.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• 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. • 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 health, 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

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Application Procedure: To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a cover letter, resume, salary history, 3 professional supervisory references (whom we may contact after a second interview) with the date of availability to hrcd@ri.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The email subject line should include the following: Deputy Country Director Somalia.
How to apply:
Application Procedure: To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a cover letter, resume, salary history, 3 professional supervisory references (whom we may contact after a second interview) with the date of availability to hrcd@ri.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The email subject line should include the following: Deputy Country Director Somalia.