Country Director – Syria, Jordan, Yemen

About

The Country Director is the senior leader accountable for the strategic direction, leadership, management, performance, risk and representation of Mercy Corps across the Syria, Jordan and Yemen portfolios. Based in Damascus, the role provides integrated leadership across programs and support functions, oversees strategy, program quality, business development, finance, compliance and representation, and requires travel to Jordan, Yemen and field offices. Salary: Expat 7. Duty station: Damascus, Syria.

How to apply

Apply online through the official advert page on Jobvite.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic leadership and ensure that country strategies and operational plans are developed, regularly reviewed and adapted to changing contexts, funding environments, and organizational priorities.
• Ensure each country’s portfolio is aligned with Mercy Corps’ regional and global strategy and that strategic priorities guide programmatic, operational and resource-allocation decisions.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the political, social, economic, humanitarian, security and regulatory context across the countries and translate contextual analysis into strategic decisions.
• Lead strategic transitions, including scale-up, consolidation, restructuring, program closure and shifts between humanitarian, recovery and development programming, as relevant.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment in which diverse perspectives, evidence and learning inform decision-making.
• Ensure the countries maintain an appropriate operating model, leadership structure and level of support for the size, complexity and risk profile of each country portfolio.
• Provide overall leadership and accountability for the design, implementation, quality and performance of all programs.
• Ensure programs are delivered on scope, time and budget and in accordance with donor requirements, Mercy Corps policies, Program Management Minimum Standards and relevant technical and humanitarian standards.
• Ensure robust program review and performance-management systems provide leadership with timely information for decision-making, adaptation and risk management.
• Promote evidence-based and community-centered programming and ensure monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems are effectively used to demonstrate results and inform decisions.
• Ensure strong coordination between country teams, Regional Program and Technical teams, and global technical resources to strengthen program quality, technical coherence and learning.
• Ensure safeguarding, accountability to affected populations, Do No Harm, inclusion and other organizational commitments are embedded throughout program design and implementation.
• Supervise the Program team as well as all multi-Country support functions (HR, Operations, Finance, Security) as relevant to ensure close check and controls.
• Ensure strong communication and collaboration lines are maintained with the program field teams.
• Ensure responsiveness and appropriate levels of in-person and remote support to all country programs, with regular visits to various countries and field offices, when possible.

Qualifications

• BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field required; MA/S or equivalent preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in international relief and development, including senior country-level or multi-country leadership responsibility; prior Country Director or comparable senior leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex and geographically dispersed country portfolios across humanitarian, recovery, resilience and/or development contexts.
• Previous experience working in the MENA region and strong understanding of the region’s political, humanitarian, regulatory and donor environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide integrated leadership across programs, finance, operations, people, security, risk and compliance functions.
• Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian and development system, institutions and donors, including compliance requirements, accountability frameworks and sector best practices.
• Experience with major institutional donors such as USG, FCDO, ECHO, European donors, UN agencies, foundations and private donors.
• Experience with DFIs and innovative finance institutions is an asset.
• Robust experience developing, operationalizing and adapting country strategies and leading organizations through transition, growth, restructuring or funding change.
• Demonstrated success in external representation, donor engagement, negotiation and partnership development resulting in strengthened positioning and/or new opportunities.
• Experience managing significant budgets and ensuring sound financial stewardship, internal controls and donor compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading senior and diverse teams, including remotely, and building strong leadership, accountability and collaboration across functions and locations.
• Experience operating in insecure, politically sensitive or rapidly changing environments and making sound decisions under pressure.
• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, influencing, negotiation and coaching skills.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, sound judgment, and the ability to translate strategy into practical action.