Country Director, Moldova/Romania

POSITION SUMMARY:

The HIAS Country Director, Moldova/Romania, is responsible for representation and overseeing HIAS’ operations set up in both countries. The Country Director provides strategic vision and leadership, ensuring that HIAS Moldova/Romania programs align with HIAS’ Refugee Rights Framework. S/he is also the public face of the agency, regularly engaging with various stakeholders from the government, donors, UNHCR and NGOs to help advance refugee rights and protection.

The successful candidate has demonstrated the ability to build capacity and provide effective leadership and management skills. S/he has a strong commitment to refugee protection and relevant experience implementing, monitoring and overseeing humanitarian programs. This role reports to the Regional Director, Africa and EurAsia, and works closely with HQ stakeholders across multiple departments. This role will be based in Chisinau, with frequent travel throughout Moldova & Romania.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Management:

• Develops detailed strategic goals and visions for HIAS Moldova & Romania in alignment with HIAS’ Refugee Rights Framework.
• In coordination with HIAS’ technical specialists, oversees the design and successful implementation of all programs offered by HIAS Moldova & Romania.
• Works closely with HQ to develop country program objectives.
• Manages the timely submission of high-quality proposals and leads required donor negotiations.
• Ensures that all staff have the necessary tools, resources, and information to deliver and evaluate services that meet or exceed internationally accepted standards and protocols.
• Maintains responsibility for all reporting to donors and HQ.

Outreach and Representation:

• Serves as HIAS’ primary liaison with key partners and stakeholders in both countries particularly UNHCR, Echo, BPRM, and other NGO partners, the relevant government authorities and other domestic and global partners, as appropriate.
• Liaises with HIAS Advocacy, Communication, Community Engagement and Development teams as needed; drafts and edits materials for outreach and representational purposes.

Human Resources Management:

• Manages and builds the capacity of HIAS’s employees in both countries.
• Ensures a positive work environment and compliance with HIAS’ Core Values and Code of Conduct for all field office staff.
• Provides ongoing training and learning opportunities in areas of core competency and priority.
• Establishes organizational structure, job descriptions, performance measures that reflect clear work expectations aligned with program goals and HIAS both Moldova and Romania’s HR manuals.
• Works collaboratively with HQ on all personnel-related issues and ensures compliance with local labor laws and regulations in both Moldova and Romania.

Financial Management:

• Oversees the overall implementation of all necessary financial and administrative systems to ensure that HIAS Moldova & Romania has met all required legal requirements and operates in a manner consistent with HIAS’ global financial standards.
• Oversees financial reporting, audit and in-country financial legal compliance, and cash flow.
• Provides timely, accurate and effective oversight of all aspects of country financial operations consistent with laws, donor requirements, and HIAS’ policies and procedures.
• Implements effective fiscal controls and institutes and monitors a system to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all aspects of financial managements.
• Provides regular reports to HQ to ensure grant compliance and safeguard against uncovered program costs in budgets.

Accountability:

• Models HIAS’ values through collaboration, strategic decision-making, evidence-based programming, and efficient management of resources.
• Ensures accountability through effective monitoring and impact assessment; complies with HIAS and donor policies, procedures and requirements.
• Ensures accountability through HIAS’ AAP framework.
• Contributes to the development of systems to better measure and demonstrate the impact of HIAS’ work.
• Creates a managerial environment in country to safeguard refugee protection and ensure adequate training to all employees and those representing HIAS on HIAS’ Safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Ensures compliance of staff, volunteers and project partners with all HIAS’ policies and procedures.

Safety and Security:

• Maintains responsibility for Safety and Security of all HIAS employees and assets.
• Ensures that updated safety and security policies and procedures are in place and implemented.
• Consistently monitors the security environment in Moldova and Romania and provides analysis to the Regional Director and HIAS’ Director of Safety and Security.
• Together with the Emergency Preparedness Officer ensure contingency planning to various scenarios that may occur in the Ukraine and may impact operations in Moldova and Romania.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience with the NGO sector, specifically in humanitarian response settings; a minimum of five (5) years’ experience managing large teams and country programs.
• Experience in age, gender and diversity mainstreaming and community-based and human rights approaches preferred.
• Excellent written communication and oral presentation skills, including experience presenting to a wide variety of audiences; demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and facilitate multiparty discussion and collaboration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and budget and accounting software.
• Experience developing and implementing project objectives, indicators and budgets; experience in humanitarian and development interventions and work with vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of results-based management and experience overseeing procurement and audit procedures a plus.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills; a flexible, creative and collaborative working style.
• Ability to travel throughout Moldova and Romania, regionally and internationally, as required; at times to insecure or difficult working environments.
• Commitment to HIAS’ mission and values and refugee protection.
• Fluent English and Romanian. Knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian is a plus.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.