Regional Director, Central and East Africa at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

Key Responsibilities:

Regional Strategy Execution

• Lead execution of conflict geography and country strategies, including facilitating regular review of the strategy execution at the conflict geography level
• Lead on shifts in the geographic coverage of the program portfolio, including opening and closing offices, identifying new sub-offices, in line with the conflict geography strategy
• Oversee annual planning (OKRs) for each country and regional team and facilitate regular review of performance dashboard and OKR progress
• Ensure that program design is aligned with strategy

Business Development

• Support the engagement of country and conflict geography leadership with current and new donors in line with annual targets and in line with Search’s program development strategy
• Actively participate in prioritized bids including: contributing meta-level strategic inputs at the design phase, cultivating strategic partnerships, ensuring that the resources proposed will enable compliant and timely implementation with attention to minimum capabilities in each conflict geography
• Collaboration with the Africa Program Development team on prioritization of country bids, as well as internal competitions

Program Management

• Delivering a range of management, technical, and operational support to empower and enable program leaders to achieve time, scope and budget objectives as per their OKRs and the conflict geography strategy
• Ensure program implementation in compliance with Search and donor policies and regulations
• Ensure that program implementation teams are equipped with access to Search’s library of tools and methodologies, and that they embrace a culture of reflective practice and adaptive management
• Maintain ongoing communication and close collaboration with key donors and partners to ensure strong relationships during implementation
• Supervise the program support team, ensuring quality and timely grant management support that responds to risks and opportunities

Personnel Management

• Recruit, supervise, mentor and support the professional development of country leadership teams and the regional program management staff
• By empowering staff and leading by example, promote a culture of inclusion, learning, support, diversity and innovation
• Demonstrate and promote Search’s culture and values
• Working with relevant colleagues, supervise ethics inquiries and related actions

Finance, Administration & Operations

• In coordination with the Finance department, ensure that the leadership in the portfolio ensures efficient and compliant financial management of the program portfolio. This includes regular participation in organization-wide financial performance reviews, annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting and review of performance as per revenue targets
• Ensure efficient and compliant opening and closing of country offices in line with Search’s strategy
• In coordination with the Human Resources and Administration department, support on mitigating risk and efficiently managing security, legal, safeguarding, or other operational challenges
• In coordination with the Senior Manager - Safety and Security, ensure that minimum standards are adhered to throughout the program implementation portfolio in each country and the region

Thought Leadership, Reputation and External Relations

• In coordination with the Global Affairs and Partnership team, develop and strengthen new and existing relationships with public and private sector donors and work to position Search as a partner of choice
• Represent Search’s regional portfolio and thought leadership with current and prospective donors, professional networks and other key stakeholders
• Promote interregional and global learning through the support of thought leadership through regional exchanges and peer learning
• Assess and keep abreast of the emerging trends in international peacebuilding, including business intel on opportunities

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in conflict resolution, international relations, international development or a related field; or appropriate degree complemented with experience
• At least 4 years of working in Africa and in a cross-cultural environment
• Minimum of 12 years of program management experience at a senior level, preferably in peace building or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse team, with attention to coaching and managing performance, and professional development of staff
• Successful track record of fundraising and excellent skills in the cycle of design and proposal development
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Fluency in English, required; fluency in French is an added advantage
• Excellent financial literacy and management skills, including a familiarity with the basic compliance requirements of major donors
• Ability to respond collaboratively in situations of uncertainty, ambiguity /or conflict
• Willingness to travel up to 30 percent of time
• Experience in overseeing a complex portfolio, involving matrix relationships with other teams and departments, as well as remote supervision of diverse teams
• Significant field experience in managing multiple projects, multi-tasking, clear delegation and follow-through
• Experience working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders, local government officials, and international donors