Country Director – Central African Republic

Organisation Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international non-governmental organisation that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

INSO provides daily support to more than 1000 NGOs operating in 16 of the world’s most insecure countries.

INSO is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands- the international city of peace and justice.

INSO Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) consistently records one of the highest NGO incident rates of any country INSO monitors – averaging five incidents every week. It is also an environment where NGOs generate a lot of practice and learning in humanitarian access negotiations with a wide range of conflict actors and stakeholders. INSO CAR opened in 2014 and supports approximately 100 partners from a country office in Bangui and field offices in Bossangoa and Bambari. Roles at INSO CAR are challenging and rewarding; you will be a crucial partner to humanitarians who rely on INSO’s analysis, advice and daily support.

Job Summary

As the Country Director, you will provide direct leadership, coordination, representation, supervision, and management in relation to all staff and services and set the overall strategic framework. You will use your solid program and human resources management skills and be a natural and confident leader, communicator, consensus-builder and networker. This is a unique opportunity to harness your keen intellect and use your strong analytical abilities.

The Central African Republic platform is well established.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Program strategy and management

• Manage the Country Office team including direct supervision of senior management and general oversight of the program, operations, and finance teams.
• Provide dedicated, effective leadership across the program and ensure cohesion across all functions.
• Develop overall strategy and deliver annual program planning.
• Steward INSO resources effectively and transparently in full compliance with internal and donor policies.
• Liaise with Regional Director and HQ technical referents of each department.
• Responsible for the safety and security of the staff, program and assets.

Representation and synergies

• Maintain and build the reputation of the organisation.
• Effectively represent and protect INSO’s principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality; promote INSO as an integral member of the humanitarian community.
• Maintain donor engagement and actively track country-specific funding opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and requirements and produce high-quality, compelling donor proposals and reports that underscore INSO’s impact.
• Engage with third parties, including local government, the UN, diplomatic missions, and military forces.
• Participate in external coordination activities related to safety and security coordination and access.

Program support and monitoring

• Oversee the overall delivery of INSO services, ensure that program targets and objectives are met and quality is maintained.
• Deliver strategic analysis to senior humanitarian leadership.
• Lead crisis management support to individual NGO partners or the NGO community at large during critical incidents.

Mandatory Requirements

Essential:

• Master’s Degree-level of education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field
• Fluency in French and excellent English is required.
• 3-5 years of relevant work experience as an NGO Country Director or equivalent senior management experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts.
• Experience with management of multi-donor projects. Knowledge of donor policies and procedures (DG ECHO, SDC, USAID-BHA).
• Experience with budget management and monitoring, donor liaison and reporting.
• Proven analytical skills.
• Solid understanding of principles and practices in broad humanitarian action, NGO safety and risk management, humanitarian access, and civil-military coordination.
• Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills.

Nice to Have:

• Recent experience in the region.
• Detailed understanding of INSO mandate and services.
• Previous INSO experience (as a team member, member of INSO’s country advisory board or as a beneficiary).

Personal Attributes

• Ability to identify issues and find a resolution.
• Excellent communication, organizational and managerial skills.
• Strong work ethic and capacity to take responsibility for your actions.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Confidentiality, integrity and an ability to sense conflicts-of-interest.

Terms & Conditions: 12-month contract, 4 calendar days annual leave per month and 7 days of R&R every 2 months, €1250 allowance each R&R cycle, global medical coverage (excluding USA), $200,000 AD&D coverage

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy

INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process.