Country Director

The role

As a member of the West & Central Africa Senior Leadership team, you will have shared accountability for Save the Children’s international development and emergency programming in the region of approximately $213 million (2020) through an organisation of 2,436 people. To achieve our ambitious goals and breakthroughs for children, the leadership team will, in collaboration with Save the Children Members and in conjunction with the other regional organisations, aim to drive growth of the donor landscape to $2.7 billion this year.

The Country Director will lead the transformation of the country office to a new operating model, whilst also delivering Save the Children’s strategy within the country through:

• Delivering quality programmes, including advocacy, for children; and
• Interacting with government, Members, and donors
• Working with other stakeholders such as partners, other INGOs etc.

Sierra Leone is a challenging but fascinating country. The portfolio shows great potential to grow. 

Save the Children has been actively working in Sierra Leone since 1999. Our programs cover 4 regions: they are Western Area Urban, Western Area Rular, Eastern and Southern Region. The program is implemented in various sectors including Health, Nutrition, Education, and Protection. With a full-spectrum approach to programming, we engage in both long-term development projects and emergency interventions delivered both directly and through both international and local partners, building the resilience and improving the lives of girls and boys throughout the country. The Sierra Leone country program employs around 179 staff and has an annual operating budget of $9 million in 2021. We work directly with families and communities, foster the participation of children and partner with local organizations, UN bodies, International NGOs and the Sierra Leone government to deliver results.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experienced leader who has held senior positions in complex/high profile/ multinational organisations
• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field
• Experience of working with large, complex donors (USAID, EU, DFID, CIDA, DANIDA etc.) to secure and/or manage new large-scale and/or competitive funding
• Understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development
• Demonstrable ability to recruit, lead and develop high calibre specialist senior staff with a range of backgrounds and expertise
• Strong track record in building high performance teams and future successors/leaders
• Ability to manage and motivate self and others to respond to a significant and complex crisis situation in extraordinary circumstances, requiring swift action and rapid changes in priorities
• Innovative approach to solving a range of highly complex issues and galvanising buy-in to the solutions at all levels
• Experience and knowledge of context and actors in WCA region.
• Fluency in speaking and writing in English
• Commitment to the Save the Children vision, principles, mission and values
• Experience in humanitarian programming and ability to work in a volatile environment preferred.
• Ability to work well with a diverse range of capacities
• Strong evidence of building teams and talents

Contract length: Open Ended

Location: Sierra Leone /Freetown

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.