Head of Country Programmes

Role & Responsibilities

Managing, empowering and supporting the Country Director(s) (CD) as well as the GSO country team; the Head of Country Programme (HCP) oversees all programme and support activities in the GSO. Representing Medair in all issues relating to the country programme, the HCP plays a key role in donor relations as well as chairing the weekly cross-organisational country team meeting. The HCP raises and retains programme income, coordinating with the GSO country team(s) and leading support to the field team(s) from a decentralised role by line managing the Country Director, and jointly leading the Country Strategy Plan process and implementation.

Project Overview

Medair Global Support Office (GSO) provides operational guidance for country programmes, along with both technical and compassionate support for our relief workers. Within our GSO and affiliate offices, we are also responsible for promoting the work of Medair to the world, to raise and manage the funds needed to run our life-saving and sustaining programmes, and to recruit international and GSO staff.

Workplace & Conditions

Global Support Office (GSO) position based in Ecublens, Switzerland. Travel for up to 2 months a year. Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland, can apply.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full-time, open-ended contract.

Key Activity Areas

Leadership and Management

• Present the Country Strategy Plan. Chair the weekly Country Programme meeting.
• Analyse humanitarian needs, trends and political developments in the country of operation and the surrounding region in order to support the CD and advise GSO management accordingly.
• Enable all programme activities and support functions comply with applicable national and international laws and regulations, including in-country registration. Report regularly (weekly) to the Deputy International Director the key programme issues (including risks) as well as PESTLE and humanitarian trends in country.
• Complete at least two capacity building and monitoring field trips per year to the country programme.
• Take on short term leadership assignments in GSO and / or country, covering Country Director and senior management roles where necessary.

Donor Relations Management

• Develop and maintain excellent relations with the GSO based representatives of relevant institutional donors, funding partners and private sector organisations in Switzerland, Europe and North America in order to secure funding.
• Oversee the submission of all narrative proposals, operational and financial reports related to the country programme to organisations outside the country programme.
• Provide advice, guidance and critical insight to the Country Director and his / her senior team on the design and implementation of new donor proposals/projects.

Coordination & Communication

• Provide oversight to Medair staff of all country programme operations.
• Establish close, strategic and constructive relationships with bilateral and multilateral aid and humanitarian agencies, at regional and headquarters levels to facilitate strategic humanitarian response.

Financial Management

• Support the planning, expenditure and analysis of project budgets, with CD and GSO Finance staff.
• Advise the CD on programme spend in-line with the approved budgets.
• Responsible for overall financial management (budgeting and expenditure) of the country programme portfolio; using the ‘TCV’ (total cost view) and ‘Portfolio’ management information system.

Staff Management

• Recommends appointment of CD. Manages the CD through appropriate support and performance management.
• Reflect the vision and values of Medair when interacting with team members and provide them with leadership, advice, support and appropriate communication.
• Assist the Country Director to identify and develop talent within their senior management team. This may include providing coaching, mentoring and role modelling effective behaviour to individual senior managers.

Security Management

• Ensure the program is implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities.
• Take the lead in GSO on decision making and contingency planning during security incidents or threats, including being a member of the Crisis Management Team in GSO. Approve all country location security plans, guidelines and manuals.

Quality Management

• Ensure country programmes are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and CHS standards, WHO recommendations, etc.
• Review the effectiveness, quality and impact of Medair’s humanitarian responses to chronic need, and making recommendations for improvement. Document and disseminate project achievements and lessons.
• Provide advice, guidance and critical insight to the Country Director and their senior team on their annual and strategic business planning to ensure programmes are delivering increased results year on year and regularly review programme against agreed KPIs.

Team Spiritual life

• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts
• Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of the team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement. Live, work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings.
• Instigate and contribute to prayer times within international recruited staff and GSO teams.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree in humanitarian or related field required. Masters in related fields desirable.
• Excellent English (spoken and written). Ability to work in French (French-speaking field programmes).

Experience

• 7 years professional experience, 3 years working on humanitarian projects with minimum 1 year managing humanitarian team in a fragile state.
• Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of humanitarian / emergency programmes. Experience in dealing with donors and government officials.
• Knowledge of humanitarian essentials (Sphere, CHS, Good Enough, Do No Harm etc).
• Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills. Advanced leadership and project management skills.
• Experience of representation at national and local levels. Knowledge and experience of change management.