Country Director

The Center for Victims of Torture is hiring a Country Director to provide leadership for the effective implementation and management of CVT’s MHPSS program in Ethiopia, in line with organizational values, policies and procedures, and commitment to program quality. Key responsibilities include strategic leadership, financial management, program development, staff management, security management, and operational management.

Location: Based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel to program locations in country

Reporting to: International Services Program Manager (based at HQ)

Start Date: June 2023

Program:

The program in Ethiopia carries out CVT’s mission to heal the wounds of torture on individuals, their families and their communities and to end torture worldwide by providing specialized mental health services to survivors of torture and war trauma. CVT’s program in Ethiopia has been operating since 2012 and has multiple project locations, as well as an administrative office in Addis Ababa. The staff is comprised of national, refugee and a few expatriate staff totaling over 100 employees.

Organization:

The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. We are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture. We offer rehabilitation services to those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture. We are headquartered in Minnesota, and we have US offices in Atlanta and DC, as well as offices in Africa and the Middle East.

Responsibilities:

• Program Management: Strategically direct program resources in order to achieve program goals. Oversee program operations by coordinating activities with UN, humanitarian aid agencies and government ministries; and overseeing establishment and implementation of program assessments, objectives, activities and evaluations. Ensure compliance with government regulations and liaise with government officials. Serve as primary liaison with headquarters.
• Financial Management: Monitor all financial aspects to ensure all CVT and donor-required policy controls are carried out. Prepare and submit forecast budgets and financial plans. Manage the field budgets and spending of CVT Ethiopia programs.
• Program Development: Represent CVT with donors, potential donors, international and national organizations, and other stakeholders. Develop funding proposals. Prepare and submit reports required by donors, CVT, and other stakeholders.
• Staff Management: Develop a team of refugee, national and international staff members who are committed to maintaining the values of the organization and achieving program objectives. Hire, train, supervise, manage the performance, and promote the development of team members. Model and implement best practices in staff well-being and professionalism. Ensure compliance with all labor/employment laws.
• Operations Management: Liaise with headquarters and ensure policies and plans are implemented and culturally appropriate. Supervise with the Operations Director to ensure effective coordination of all logistics, including management of facilities, transportation, equipment, furniture, supplies and other acquisitions. Collaborate with partners to meet logistics needs. Oversee the preparation and management of contracts with local vendors, including construction contractors.
• Safety and Security Management: Accountable for safety and security management for the country program. Oversee and support risk and safety staff and security focal points in the development and implementation of security policies relevant to the country and the region. Monitor the security situation on an ongoing basis and adjust practices to respond to evolving security risks.
• Partner Relations and Community Building: Develop and maintain strategic relationships with community leaders and NGO partners in order to facilitate achievement of program goals.

Qualifications:

Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

• BA degree in international development or related field
• 6 years of experience in management and team supervision in an international non-governmental organization
• Experience with financial management of NGOs
• Experience developing and implementing operational systems in unpredictable environments

Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

• Graduate degree in international development or related field
• Experience living and working in Ethiopia
• Experience in a country-level leadership role in an NGO

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Familiarity with mental health programs and experience implementing psychosocial programs preferred.
• Familiarity with private, US government, UN and multi-lateral funders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects across the entire lifecycle from proposal development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong participatory leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage self-care and promote staff well-being.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel).
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills.
• Excellent skills in negotiation and conflict management.
• Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines).
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in unpredictable, isolated environments, lacking in amenities.
• Interest and ability to engage in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the organization.
• Interest in or commitment to human rights.
• Ability to travel to field sites 40% of time. Regularly for 1-3 hours on rough roads and regularly travel to program locations around the country