Country Director at Johanniter International

Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Overall job purpose

The Country Director is responsible for the planning, management and development of all Johanniter programmes in Kenya and for ensuring that all activities are within the strategic framework of Johanniter. The Country Director provides strategic leadership to maintain a high performing team and establishes good relations with national partners and has ultimate responsibility for all security issues. The Country Director cooperates closely with HQ in Berlin.

Reporting lines

Reporting to: Head of Desk Africa (first level supervisor)

Director International Assistance (next level supervisor)

Tasks

Program Management

• Build and strengthen external relationships and represent Johanniter in Kenya with partner organizations, donors, the host government, international and national organizations.
• Communicate and oversee the establishment and implementation of programmes. Ensure that the country office team and partners have the necessary tools, resources, information, and assistance to deliver services that meet or exceed internationally accepted standards and protocols.
• Proactively cultivate relationships with existing and new donors analyze the funding environment and trends, and foster a proactive approach to new funding opportunities.
• Regularly visit project sites, if security allows.
• Ensure that the projects remain needs based, within their budget limits and are in line with Johanniter and donor guidelines.
• Cooperate closely with existing national partner organizations, provide support, input and guidance, if applicable.
• Acquire new national partners.
• Identify new programmes in the region, prepare and carry out assessment missions and reports and develop new projects as needs and resources dictate.
• Build and strengthen external relationships and represent Johanniter with donors, partners, the host government, international and national organizations.
• Compose/Write proposals and reports for donors and Johanniter HQ and ensure the submission to donors in a timely manner. Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of program activities and budgets vs. expenditures and meeting monthly projections.
• Diversify funding and develop key contacts with major donors and foundations.
• Contribute to the development and achievement of country strategy
• Maintain regular communication with HQ.
• Organise quick humanitarian assistance in case of disasters in coordination with HQ and in cooperation with partner organizations.
• Support Media and Press work in conjunction with the Johanniter spokesperson.
• Work within local (infra)structures to ensure the programme is sustainable and, if appropriate, that operations are effectively handed over to local (infra)structures.
• Raise Johanniter profile and visibility in Kenya and in Germany, e.g. by sharing project information on a regular basis for Johanniter websites.

Administration

• Ensure that all policies and protocols are carried out.
• Ensure that all administrative procedures are observed including legal matters.
• Provide support to the admin staff in meeting the Government requirements
• Compile regular reports, updates and articles for the marketing and fundraising department.

Personnel Management

• Recruit international and national staff for the programme, if applicable.
• Train and manage staff and support team cooperation.
• Review and adjust organizational structure and job descriptions as needed to provide clear work expectations and adequate resources for achieving program goals.
• Conduct performance reviews and support staff in their ongoing professional development.
• Support capacity building for national partners.

Financial Management

• Work closely with Regional Head of Finance and Administration Africa and Johanniter HQ on all aspects related to finance.
• Develop and monitor the annual operational budget and ensure timely management of financial reporting, audit compliance, and cash flow in accordance with Johanniter as well as donor regulations.
• Ensure all fiscal controls and donor required policy controls are carried out.
• Provide oversight of country programme budgets and management of program spending. Anticipate potential funding gaps, develop contingency plans, and closely monitor costs to prevent uncovered program cost.
• Prepare and submit activity reports to donors as well as quarterly updates. Prepare and forecast budgets and funding needs for the upcoming year in cooperation with Finance&Administration Assistant and Regional Head of Finance and Administration.
• Oversee cash management and recordkeeping in accordance with Johanniter and donor regulations.

Security

• Prioritise and manage security, ensuring that guidelines are followed and adapted as required at all levels, that maximum preventive measures are taken and that the team of Expats and National Staff is safe and well informed at all times.
• Prevention and flagging of corruption and cases of fraud.
• Annual review and update of the security and contingency plan.

Person Specification

Professional Qualification and Experience:

The Country Director needs to hold a university degree in a relevant field

Essential:

• At least 5 years of experience in a humanitarian context/international development, minimum 3 years of experience in a leading position
• Experience in implementing public health/ wash/ livelihood/ rehabilitation / DRR projects for international NGOs
• Experience in project development, coordination and management, including project accounting, managing of donor funds (EU, UN, German Foreign Office and Ministry of Cooperation etc.)
• Experience in working with national authorities and national partners
• Experience in networking with international partners and donor liaison
• Experience in acquisition of donor funding, proposal- and report writing
• Experience working abroad in a context challenging environment
• Experience in security management
• Experience in conducting health and/or livelihood baseline assessments, (including SMART surveys)
• Good understanding of financial and logistical procedures
• Experience in HR Management and capacity building

Desirable:

• Previous working experience in Kenya

Skills:

Essential:

• Good knowledge of international standards and tools in humanitarian and development aid
• Strong management, project planning and organizational skills
• Analytical with a clear vision on program development
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Human resource management and leadership skills, cultural sensitivity
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Common sense and being proactive

Desirable:

• German/Swahili/French would be an asset

Travel to project sites is part of the job

How to apply:

Terms and Conditions

Start date: asap

Contract duration: 12 months contract (with possible extension)

Remuneration: Between 50.527 € and 53.186 € annual gross salary (according to Johanniter AVR-J internal tariff and depending on relevant previous working experience)

Benefits:

• maximum one month salary as annual special payment (depending on length of service within the year)
• Social security provisions (lump sum 485 € per month) (for expats not falling

under social security)

• International insurance package
• 29 days annual paid leave
• Yearly home flight (for contracts > 1 year)
• Per diems (for international postings) for days in project country (currently 35 €

per day)

Please note that this position is unaccompanied.