Country Director – Yemen

Title: Country Director – Yemen

Location: Sana’a, Yemen

Reports to: Regional Director – Middle East

Direct Reports: Senior Management Team of Yemen Country Office

1. Context

About Relief International

RI is active in 15 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. Often, RI is the only organization providing assistance to highly vulnerable communities.

• Globally RI employs about 5,000 staff and auxiliary workers
• 97% of staff are local nationals and about 90 international (expat) staff
• 2023 programs budget is about $140M

About our Country Program

Relief International has been operational in Yemen since 2009 and is currently active in both North and South, with its main office in Sana’a and area offices in governorates across the country. The program centres on Health with components linked to our work in Health through the sectors of WASH, Protection and Food Security/Livelihoods. The country context is extremely dynamic and requires focus on nexus programming that brings together both humanitarian service delivery combined with systems strengthening and longer-term programming.

1. Job Profile

Reporting to the Regional Director for the Middle East, the Country Director is responsible for the Yemen mission overall, including high-level representation, fundraising and program development, strategic planning, risk management, program quality, administrative processes, security, and all other aspects vital to ensure the health of the mission. The Country Director must be extremely dynamic, maintain the ability to work on both macro/ strategic and micro/ detail-oriented issues simultaneously, and have strong communication skills in order to work effectively with internal actors at all levels of the organization and external actors including but not limited to donors, government institutions, U.N. agencies, partners and other key stakeholders. Experience working in Yemen or relevant transferrable skills from other complex mission contexts is highly preferred.

1. Key accountabilities and responsibilities

Program Planning and Development

• Develop, in cooperation with other staff, short, medium and long-range strategic plans maintaining program focus in areas congruent with RI’s program objectives
• Maintain effective communications with donors by tracking trends and anticipating the likelihood of funding opportunities
• Spot and forcefully pursue new opportunities for program growth and start-up which may include conducting full-scale assessments, in coordination with regional and global Programs and Program Development Team members.
• Identify and participate in forums and meetings for the NGO sector where a strategic benefit for the organization exists
• Negotiate contracts and agreements with donors and partners, in coordination with regional and global programs, program development as well as Grants and Contracts teams
• Maintain effective communications with RI’s regional and global support departments, regarding program development, funding agreements, security, staffing and other operational issues
• Identify, and where necessary, initiate and maintain program partnerships with external agencies.

External Representation

• Maintain a suitable image for RI in Yemen and protect RI’s interest and assets
• Effectively liaise with donor governments and other lead agency representatives, as well as national government officials and counterparts within partner organizations, legal counsel, audit firms, etc
• Represent RI at high level, routine meetings, and sector meetings
• Initiate RI’s response to disasters and emergencies when appropriate
• Facilitate donor visits to project sites as appropriate
• Represent RI in INGOs forums

Program, Risk and Security Management

• Oversee project implementation, including allocation of resources, ensuring that appropriate controls are maintained at all levels, by working with program managers.
• Ensure that team members are effective and efficient and contribute the necessary work to ensure their programs are a success. Provide feedback to staff to ensure optimal performance.
• Ensure all programs are completed within time, on budget and achieve their objectives.
• Ensure adequate support to each program, including but not limited to strategic vision and technical input and advice.
• Monitor project implementation, communication and report both internally and externally.
• Ensure overall audit compliance, financial transparency though supervision and direction of financial and administrative staff.
• Drive risk management through all areas of implementation and planning.
• Serve as overall responsible for safety and security of staff in Yemen country office, and drive culture of security management linked to duty of care and acceptance approaches.
• Regularly report to RSO regarding safety and security

Team Management

• Provide leadership and management of national and expatriate staff. Ensure timely and quality staff performance management of directly managed staff, making sure all program team follows best practices in this regard
• Assess international personnel requirements for all projects and programs within Lebanon in conjunction with regional and global support, and program managers
• Provide onboarding briefings to all incoming expatriate staff covering RI goals and objectives, country and program background, vision and future plans, policies and procedures and security or delegate these topics
• Ensure that the hiring, promotion, firing and termination of compensation levels of national staff in accordance with local laws and practice
• Ensure the continued safety of all personnel and establish and implement emergency security evacuation plans as appropriate
• In collaboration with the HR team, address disciplinary, conflict and abuse issues within the program team
• In accordance with RI’s HR policy and in-line with RI’s staff care efforts, maintain a healthy work environment, with reasonable workloads and proper leaves. Work with the RHRM to assess and prevent risks of excessive stress and burnout in the workplace

Leadership, Culture, and Conduct

• Demonstrate and uphold RI’s values, ethics and compliance, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.
• Support systems that prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of the Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.
• Create a positive and productive work environment which is free from harassment and bullying.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of diversity and cultural differences, gender issues and the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the Safeguarding Leads to advocate for the inclusion of safeguarding activities and resources within program
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of donor requirements of safeguarding standards and protection from exploitation and abuse.

1. About you.

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.

Key desirable qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or Bachelor’s degree with commensurate work experience;
• Minimum of ten years professional experience in leading implementation of emergency response programs in complex settings;
• Previous experience working in Yemen a plus;
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed;
• Solid background and knowledge of USAID Rules and Regulations;
• Solid background and contacts with U.N. Agencies and other international emergency response and development actors;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills required;
• Excellent English-speaking skills are required, Arabic is a plus;
• Strong English writing skills required;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, tasks efficiently;
• Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail;
• Excellent and demonstrated skills in team management (structure, conflict, performance management and communication)

Key competencies:

• Adaptable and flexible
• Strategic thinking
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• Solution oriented and positive thinking
• Solid organizational and planning skills
• Self-critic, curious and eager to develop further professionally.
• Communicate with impact and respect.

1. RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

We value:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability