Head of Mission at Cooperazione Internazionale

Purpose of the role

The Head of Mission is responsible for the Coordination of all the activities of the projects implemented in the two countries and all the fundrising activities and positioning within relevant clusters and working groups, related with both countries (Somalia and Kenya).

Besides, the Head of Mission:

• Guarantees the monitoring system of ongoing COOPI activities in the country;
• Assures the internal Human Resources management;
• Assures the administrative supervision;
• Guarantees the coordination with different stakeholders (nationals, internationals, and COOPI HQ).

Main responsibilities

Institutional Relations

• Manages relations with the main institutional donors and with the potential ones;
• Represents COOPI in the country/area by engaging in relations with institutions, NGOs, local and international organizations and partners;
• Is responsible of the organization’s reputation in the country.

Strategy and Planning

• Verifies and proposes to the regional office the intervention priorities to consolidate COOPI's positioning in the country;
• Contributes to the definition of the Country Strategy and the country planning (projects and coordination).

Project's management

• Coordinates and directly monitors projects, guaranteeing the correct implementation in conformity with the contractual obligations and donors’ procedures, and in line with COOPI’s procedures and management standards;
• Is responsible for the coordination of the proposal drafting process and the documents’ preparation aimed to the submission of new projects.

Country office management

• Is responsible for all different aspects related to the country office management: economic and financial situation, local regulations, office organization charts, logistics, local and expatriate personnel management, in conformity with the organization’s guidelines;
• Guarantees the respect of the country’s legislation and administrative regulation.

Staff management

• Is responsible for the local staff management;
• Participates and supports in the selection of the expatriate staff;
• Coordinates and monitors the country’s expatriate staff management.

Safety

• Is responsible for the expatriate staff security, for the correct implementation and respect of the general security rules.

Economic and financial management

• Is responsible for the country’s economic result;
• Supervises the financial management and ensures that all financial reporting deadlines and donor/COOPI’s procedures are respected;
• Participates to the projects/coordination budget preparation;
• Has the signature for all COOPI’s bank accounts in the country.

Visibility

• Cooperates with the Communication and Fundraising office for all communication, awareness and fund raising activities implemented in and for the country.

Requirements

Essential

• University degree in relevant subjects;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience in international relief and development, of which minimum 3 years in the role;
• Excellent oral and written communication and negotiation skills, multi-tasking and organizational skills;
• Experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities, IOs and NGOs;
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure;
• Proven capacity in managing a team;
• Fluency in English language;
• Computer literacy.

Desired

• Experience in working in conflict-prone environments;
• Experience in logistics, procurement and security matters;
• Previous work experience in Somalia and Kenya;
• Experience in managing complex consortium/partnerships.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled, thanks for understanding.