Country Director in Zambia

Location: Mongu, Western province and other field locations (50%), Lusaka (50%)

Starting date: March 2017

Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech NGO that provides relief and development assistance in over 20 countries around the world. Formed in 1992, PIN has grown to be the biggest organisation of its kind in Central Europe, providing relief where it is needed, and empowering civil society in Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. People in Need (PIN) has been present in Zambia since 2017. With its main office in Mongu, Western province, we have been implementing projects focusing on multisectorial response covering nutrition, agriculture, livelihood, education, WASH and energy. In additon, PIN is seeking to expand its operation to other geographical areas, including those in DRC refugee context.

Job overview:

Country Director (CD) is the main representative of PIN at provincial as well as country level and is responsible for strategic leadership of the country programme. CD supervises the country programs, finances, human resources, logistics and security. Considerable part of CD's responsibilities consists of medium-term and long-term activities, such as strategic planning, establishment and maintenance of managerial procedures, recording and putting in use of lessons learned and capacity building. Another important role is supporting, motivating and consulting the country programme’s staff. CD is also responsible for representation, fundraising and networking as one of the top priorities.

Reporting relations and Interdependencies with other functions
The CD’s line manager is Regional Director. CD directly supervises Programme Manager and heads of support departments, in absence of the key staff CD as well as supervise other support staff. The closest partner to CD on the HQ level is Desk Officer for the given country (DO). CD consults all the main decisions with DO and decisions of strategic importance are consulted with RC. CD, DO and RC are jointly responsible for the country programme.

Main responsibilities:

Senior Management and Strategic Planning

• Plan development of the country programme in accordance with the local needs and priorities of PIN in Zambia.
• Lead the country programme team and overall coordination of all its operations.
• Supervise the country programs, finance, compliance and administration as well as human resources, logistics and security.
• Medium-term and long-term strategic planning, establishment and maintenance of managerial procedures, recording and putting in use of lessons learned and capacity building.

Project Management

• Responsible for supervision of programmes, with the specific responsibility for timely and efficient programme implementation
• Ensure timely and high quality reporting to donors and HQ

Project Development and Representation

• Actively contribute to development of new proposals, and in line with PIN country strategy and PIN Relief and Development Department strategy.
• Network among donors and key stakeholders to actively seek funding opportunities, help increase the quality of proposals, understand donor priorities and ensure coordination.
• Represent PIN at meetings with government partners, regional and local authorities, donors, local agencies, clusters, coordination bodies and other relevant stakeholders, at all levels of project implementation as required.

Human Resource Management

• Plans HR needs, capacity building needs for senior staff and ensure sufficient human resources for the projects to meet its objectives.
• Ensures coherent policy towards recruitment, remuneration and bonuses across the country programme.

Security

• Supervising that all security and safety rules (SOPs) are set-up and followed
• In cooperation with PIN security department ensures that security measures are adequate to a given situation.

Main requirements: Key competencies and skills

• Solid leadership and staff management skills, with a record of managing diverse teams and contributing to the capacity building of national and international staff.
• Proven experience in management, fundraising, project development, donor liaison.
• Experience in networking, partnership building and partnership management.
• Knowledge of institutional donor environment, proven experience with donor relations, proposal development and external communications.
• Experience with strategic program planning, project cycle management, knowledge of the institutional donor environment, including the EC, DFID, USAID etc.

Other competencies, skills and other requirements

• University degree in relevant field
• Experience within the region and understanding of local dynamics
• At least five years of relevant experience, experience with development projects/international work experience.
• Reliable and self-reliant personality
• Dynamic and result-oriented with ability to organize and plan effectively, responsible and systematic
• Critical analysis and problem solving skills
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under pressure
• Cultural sensitivity
• Excellent communication skills, excellent spoken and written English.
• Strong ability and willingness to transfer knowledge
• Willing to live in remote settings and travel extensively within the country (long distances).

PIN offers:

• Work experience with professional and flexible NGO, the largest in Central-Eastern Europe
• Salary according to the sector and experience
• Work in dynamic and motivated team
• Accommodation and local transport costs covered
• 2 flights to home country covered per year
• Costs of visas and vaccination covered
• 25 days of holiday per year
• Medical helpdesk (in the Czech Republic, provided in English)
• Travel insurance (covers the health care incl. the repatriation)
• Introduction and training in Prague