Country Director, Colombia

TITLE: Country Director, Colombia
DEPARTMENT: Global Operations
LOCATION: Colombia
REPORTS TO: SVP, Global Operations

ABOUT AMERICARES:
Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Each year, Americares reaches an average of 90 countries, including the United States, with life-changing health programs, medicines, medical supplies and emergency aid. Our programs help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters; increase access to critical medicine and medical supplies; improve and expand clinical services; and prevent disease and promote good health in vulnerable communities. Americares is the world’s leading nonprofit provider of donated medicine and medical supplies. For more information, visit americares.org.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Country Director will work with Americares headquarters to determine and drive the strategic vision for Americares Colombia. S/he/they will represent Americares in Colombia with external constituents and develop and maintain positive relationships with government, multilateral, and NGO partners. The Country Director will manage the finances, operations, and staff, and will also provide oversight for all Americares programs in Colombia. The Country Director will oversee the effective implementation of the current USAID/BHA-funded program to respond to Venezuela Regional Crisis in Colombia that includes the operation of more than 10 primary care health centers across the Country. The Country Director will be based in Bogota with travel to program sites and other locations throughout Colombia, as necessary/based on operational needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program implementation
-Directly manage administrative and operational lines of business to ensure proper program implementation in a manner consistent with Colombian law, Americares policies and procedures, and compliant with USAID/BHA and donor rules and regulations
-Anticipate administrative and operational gaps in program implementation, issues, risks and – based on evolving needs/priorities, opportunities – conduct needs analyses and make recommendations
-Oversee effective implementation of USAID/BHA-funded program to respond to Venezuela Regional Crisis in Colombia.

Financial Management and Compliance
-Overall responsibility for fiscal soundness of country operation and maintenance of effective internal controls, including but not limited to effective cash management and oversight of financial reporting and budgeting;
-Ensure Colombia office compliance with HQ and local guidelines and requirements, including timely financial reporting to HQ as required;
-Ensure compliance with policies and statutory regulations including procurement, branding and marking and the Protection of Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA).

Field Office Operations/Human Resource Management
-Manage full Colombia team and directly supervise direct reports
-Provide leadership, promote professionalism and teamwork, build working relationships, and mentor all Americares Colombia staff members to work effectively and as representatives of Americares
-Partner with HQ Human Resources team to adapt and implement global policies for field office operations, ensuring that policies are in line with local regulations and link to organizational policies and procedures;
-Ensure compliance with all labor laws and laws governing operation as a registered NGO in Colombia
-In coordination with Americares HQ, identify human resource needs and recruit and retain staff to meet those needs
-Oversee employee and overall team performance and annual performance review process.
-Lead diversity, equity, and inclusion practices with employees
-Collaborate with mental health staff and HR to actively promote the well-being of staff

Communications
-Report to HQ in a timely and thorough way
-Secure submission of regular reports to HQ of country and program activities
-Coordinate with Americares HQ, including Global Programs, Finance, Development, and Communications as appropriate.
-Lead external communications in country in coordination with Marketing and Communications at HQ and the Colombia Communications Coordinator.
-Represent the organization at national, regional, and global conferences, coordination meetings, working groups, public events and with the press.

Representation and Coordination
-Serve as legal representative for Americares Colombia – executing all corresponding communications and functions in an effective, professional, and timely manner
-Serve as official representative of Americares in all government and community affairs;
-Actively engage local stakeholders and pursue collaboration and partnerships with other NGOs, INGOs,USAID, relevant Ministries, and private sector.

New Business Development
-In coordination with Americares HQ, identify sources of funding for Americares programs
-Lead Americares resource acquisition efforts in Colombia.
Security, Health and Safety
-Update, adapt, implement and secure full adherence of all Colombia staff to global safety and security policies;
-Coordinate security planning, monitoring, and systems with peer organizations, the UN system, and local authorities; and
-Conduct discussions to identify and determine approaches to address staff’s stress levels and sense of security.

CORE AMERICARES RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Foster Americares values of responsiveness, results orientation, collaboration, efficiency and integrity;
-Coach, support and develop staff to increase individual and team effectiveness; and
-Develop and manage implementation of plans to increase team operating performance, including SOPs and other efficiency initiatives.

REQUIREMENTS
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
-University Degree in Global Health, International Development, Business Administration, International Relations/Affairs, Public Administration or related field; Master’s Degree preferred;
-10 years’ work experience and significant experience in a Country Director or similar senior role with an INGO;
-Experience overseeing implementation of large scale health programs
-Proven track record of developing budgets, supervising financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor rules and regulations, preferably USAID;
-Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to interface with high level government, NGO, and INGO officials and authorities;
-Proven experience mentoring and overseeing staff professional development;
-Strong organizational skills, capacity to think strategically, and attention to detail;
-Excellent Spanish written and verbal communication; fluency in English preferred
-Proficiency in Office 365 including Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint and SharePoint
-Willingness and ability to travel as needed
-Unrestricted authorization to work in Colombia.