Country Director – Central African Republic, Norwegian Refugee Council

Are you ready to take on one of today’s most pressing humanitarian crises with over 2 million people in need of assistance and protection? We’re looking for an experienced leader in the Central Africa Republic, is it you?

We are looking for a dedicated Country Director to further develop and strengthen our country’s operation in CAR.

The Central African Republic (CAR) continues to face tremendous humanitarian needs due to years of conflict and instability. In 2020, more than half of the population require humanitarian assistance (2.6 million people), and roughly 40% of the population fear for their safety. Over 600,000 live in protracted displacement and are dependent on humanitarian assistance and protection for survival, while 1.6 million people face food insecurity. Development assistance is also a critical need to address structural concerns and increase access to basic social services in a sustainable way.

NRC has been present in CAR since 2014 and employs approximately 20 international staff and over 200 national staff. NRC covers a large geographic area with activities spread across strategic districts throughout the territory such as Mambere Kadei and Nana Mambere in the West, Nana Gribizi, Kemo, and Ouaka in the Centre, Basse-Kotto in the southeast, and Lobaye and Ombella Mpoko in the SouthWest. NRC operates from 3 field offices in Berberati, Kaga Bandoro, and Alindao, and a country office in Bangui, the capital city.

The program portfolio includes five core competencies: ICLA (Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance), Livelihood and Food Security, WASH, Shelter, and Education, as well as Protection programs. NRC is planning to start camp management from 2021.

As Country Director, you will have the overall leadership and responsibility for the country operation. You will report to the Regional Director for Central and West Africa (CWA).

Duties and responsibilities

You are overall responsible for

• National representation and coordination
• Development and execution of country strategy
• Analyze the political and humanitarian context and adapt the NRC program ensuring relevance to the evolving context in the Central African Republic
• Promote accountability, the highest standard of NRC’s values, including safeguarding, and adherence to the Humanitarian Principles
• Safety and security of all staff
• Resource allocation and mobilization
• Cost efficiency and quality, including implementation of control mechanisms
• Responsible for all NRC advocacy efforts in the country and ensure that contributions are made to NRC regional and global advocacy efforts
• Analyze the political and humanitarian context and adapt the NRC program ensuring relevance to the evolving context in CAR
• Motivate and coach staff in order to create effective teams, with particular attention to ensuring an efficient and empowered Country Management Group
• Learning, training, and development of all staff, including a strategy for national staff development
• Promote accountability, the highest standard of ethics, including safeguarding, and adherence to the Humanitarian Principles
• Develop and enforce policies to promote and maintain diverse staff at all levels
• Serve as a proactive member of the Extended Regional Management Group, promote collaboration with other COs and the Regional office and contribute to the development of the Central and West Africa Region as a whole
• Provide vision, promote ideas, gain agreement and act as a role model

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience from working as a Senior Manager/Country Director in humanitarian/recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in French and English, both written and verbal
• Knowledge from the specific contexts of CAR
• Experience from advocacy work
• Experience with change management processes
• Valid driver’s license

Personal qualities

• Strategic thinking
• Handling insecure environments
• Empowering and building trust
• Influencing
• A good sense of humor is an asset
• All employees of the Norwegian Refugee Council should be able to adhere to our Code of Conduct and the four organizational values: Dedicated, innovative, inclusive, and accountable

We can offer

• here is the Job Description
• 2 years of full-time contract in a stimulating and rewarding work environment, a collaborative workforce.
• A Competitive salary and benefits according to International staff terms and conditions, including contributions to a pension fund
• Grade: 12 in NRC’s grade structure (see attached)
• Duty station: Bangui, 40% internal travel. Bangui is a non-family posting

An approved health certificate will be requested before the contract starts!

Application procedures and CV registration: Please note that you are required to enter the geographical location for all your previous positions while registering your CV. There is no specific field for this information in our CV form, but you can use the “Company name” field for both company and location.