Country Director Sierra Leone

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org

HI is committed to an employment policy in favour of disabled workers.

JOB CONTEXT:

HI has been present in Sierra Leone since 1996. Various projects have been implemented since, in health, rehabilitation, social inclusion, rights promotion, etc. but since the end of the Ebola crisis, HI focused on education projects, mental health projects and protection projects.

An ambitious Operational Strategy has been validated for the period 2021 -2024 with the willingness to increase the level of activity around three main pillars: Health & Rehabilitation, Inclusive Education & Economic Inclusion, and Protection & Risk Reduction.

The 2021-2024 Strategy harnesses our vision to expand our operation beyond the Sierra Leone border and reopen projects in Liberia. This strategy is transformative as we strive to become more effective, efficient and financially stable in the context of uncertainties created by the global pandemic and reduction of overseas development aid by major institutional donors.

The team consists of around 30 highly motivated and professional staffs, based in Freetown.

HI Sierra Leone is looking for a very dynamic and passionate leader keen on business developing.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the responsibility of the West Africa Geographic Director, your main responsibilities are the following :

• Representation : you develop external influence of HI, promoting a high reputation and positive image of the organization. You are the legal representative of HI in the country.
• Fundraising / business development : the Operational Strategy includes a fundraising strategy aligned with HI’s ethical principles and the Institutional Funding Development Plan
• Operations : You deploy HI’s full mandate and 2025 Strategy, with operational partners, institutions and/or donors.
• Human Resources management : you manage the SMT team (7 direct reports) within a total team of 30 staff. By being the top manager of the Programme organization, you set up a team spirit and team functioning guaranteeing synergies and exchange of good practices between the different actors in the programme and with head office colleagues.
• Logistical, administrative and financial monitoring : you will ensure that logistical and administrative practices in place respect HI procedures and formats, and are in compliance with donors’ rules and regulations. With regard to the safeguarding of beneficiaries of HI’s Programmes, you will ensure the respect of institutional policies by the HQ and field staff that you manage.
• Safety & Security : you actively monitor and analyze context developments. You ensure compliance with institutional safety & security policy and the application of normative frameworks and standard operating procedures. In case of emergency, you take responsibilities in accordance with the response framework defined.

YOUR PROFILE:

• With at least 3 years’ experience at key management position within international organizations, you are motivated by developing new proposals, deal with donors for new opportunities and create partnership with other NGOs.
• You have excellent relationship, eager to negotiate and represent your organization
• Excellent organizational skills, co-ordination and transfer of knowledge;
• Proven experience in negotiations with institutional donors, project writing and reporting.
• Written and oral communication in English

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

The overall situation in Sierra Leone is calm, however there are some factors that should be considered from a security perspective.

Health situation – generally speaking the health system is deficient in Sierra Leone.

Travel – The programme is currently operating in Sierra Leone. The position is based in Freetown but some visits to the Sierra Leone bases in the Provinces and in Liberia (Monrovia) would be expected.

Living conditions – the office and the houses/apartments are comfortable. The power supply is erratic but all houses have generators and air conditioning and drinking water is supplied. In Freetown most items can be found in the supermarkets and markets. People are very friendly and there are some lovely local beaches which are relatively easy to access.

CONDITIONS:

https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

• 3 years International contract starting from 1st of August 2022, based in Freetown

• Salary from 3200 € gross/month upon experience ; Perdiem: 596 € net/month – paid in the field

• Paid leaves: 25 days per year; R&R: 1 day per month

• open to families

• a child allowance of 100€ per month, per child (from the second child) paid in the field

• Contribution to school registration fees for children over 3 years

• Family-wide health coverage ; payment for travel costs (air ticket & visa) and transport of your personal effects

• Housing: individual taken in charge by HI

• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:

  • Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals
  • Pension scheme adapted to the situation of our employees: If you already have a personal pension scheme HI will contribute at the same level of your personal monthly contribution with a maximum of 272.53€/month ; If you do not have a personal pension scheme, we will open a private pension account with your contribution of 272.53€/month and a contribution of HI of the same amount
  • Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution; Repatriation insurance paid by HI.