Country Director

General Position Summary

The Country Director (CD) is an innovative leader responsible for resourcefully managing day-to-day operations in country. This person has held senior roles in managing operations and/or programming in fluid environments and formulating strategic direction within an international development context. The CD has supervisory responsibility for the country team and implementation of security protocols. The CD is responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of the country program in compliance with local laws, Mercy Corps policies and procedures, and donor rules and regulations. They will also ensure that all Mercy Corps in country programs are implemented in accordance to PM@MC standards, ensuring a high level of program quality, and that programs are implemented on time, on budget, and on scope. This person will contribute to the development of sustainable, multi-sector programming, ensure accountability to beneficiaries and donors, placing a high value on innovative solutions to relief and development issues and creative partnerships. Ideally, this person will have extensive experience and expertise in emergency response and rapid expansion of activities and support functions.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
• Must be fluent in English and French.
• 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing emergency response and complex development programs.
• 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
• Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster response as appropriate.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in emergency response preferred.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USAID, ECHO, Canada donors and grant management is preferred.
• Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in French is required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous work experience in insecure environments.