Terms of Reference (TOR)
Position: Country Director (CD)
Location: Tehran, The Islam Republic of Iran
Reports to: Regional Director (RD), Africa/Asia
Duration: 12 months renewable
About RI
Relief International specializes in relief and development programs that benefit people in acute distress. A registered non-profit our work targets those fragile countries or communities that suffer from recurrent man-made or natural crises that impede human development. The people that we serve live in seventeen countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia where the debilitating effects of political instability, forced displacement, and natural disasters are pervasive. Often, RI is the only organization providing healthcare, education, logistics, energy, capacity building, economic development, sanitation, and many other forms of assistance to these highly vulnerable communities.
Position Summary
The Country Director will ensure strong leadership of all members of the RI Country Team that builds team spirit, cohesion, motivation, commitment, quality performance and fulfillment of all agency functions. He/she is directly responsible for the overall strategic planning, program design and implementation, program support operations (HR, procurement, logistics), country-level external relations and coordination, finance and budget compliance, administration, monitoring and evaluation, staff supervision, and required reporting on grants. He/she will ensure that programs meet stated objectives, are in line with RI’s philosophy and strategy, meet the needs of beneficiaries, and implemented to the highest standards, on time, and within budget. The CD will lead in obtaining funding, and identifying and pursuing new program opportunities. The CD will continually assess, identify and address gaps and weaknesses to improve overall country program performance, efficiency, and effectiveness.
The CD is the primary link between the country team and Regional Support Office or team (RSO) and Global Support Office (GSO). He/she will build and maintain a close, collaborative and responsive relationship and frequent communications with the Regional Director as his/her direct supervisor and key link to global support services.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Program Planning, Development, and Resource Acquisition
Program Management
· Supervise and ensure quality project implementation through interactive management of project/program managers, including ensuring appropriate allocation of resources and that controls are maintained at all levels
· Fully responsible for actively monitoring of projects to ensure they are on track with deliverables and quantitative targets, on time, and on budget without overspending or underspending and that they fully meet goals as committed in project documents.
· Take the lead, with program management team, in sufficiently early identification and diagnosis of off-track projects and actively determining feasible strategies to correct such problems.
· Ensure that all project modifications, adjustments, or no-cost extensions are fully justified and appropriately communicated and agreed by donors.
· Ensure that operations in support of projects, in particular procurement and logistics are efficiently and effectively carried out
· Ensure that team members effectively and efficiently contribute to the necessary work to ensure quality implementation of their programs. Provide feedback to staff to ensure optimal performance.
· Provide program guidance and technical input and advice as needed to maintain strategic vision
· Ensure project communication, and all requested internal and external reporting is completed with the highest quality, responsive to information requirements, and submitted on time.
· Conduct ongoing sub-office and field visits to enable direct staff support and observation of activities
Personnel Management and Development
· Responsible for ultimate leadership and management of national and expatriate staff in country
· Assess staffing requirements for programs and country office and supervise recruitment in coordination with country HR manager, and as needed, in consultation with the RD.
· Ensure complete orientation process for all incoming staff covering RI goals and objectives, country and program background, vision and future plans, policies and procedures.
· Assess staff training and capacity building needs and ensure training opportunities are provided.
· Act as a Point of Contact for Child Protection, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment, and Code of Conduct policies, and train staff and beneficiaries on reporting misconduct mechanisms.
· Ensure that all HR personnel practices, contracts, taxes, compensation, registrations, residence permits, and departures are in accordance with local laws and RI policies.
· Ensure timesheets, payment records and contracts are properly kept, fully supported, updated and maintained, and easily available for audit
· Assess staff training and mentoring needs and develop a layer of Local National leaders through promoting the National Officer Corp program.
· Ensure staff are working effectively as a team to meet Country Strategic objectives, and individual performance and satisfaction are maximized through efficient support structures and procedures within the legal framework of the country and within RI policies and guidelines
Program Safety
· Overall responsibility for the safety of all RI country staff, volunteers and visitors
· Overall responsibility for all RI assets in country.
· Ensure the appointment of an appropriately qualified staff member as Country Safety Focal Point while still maintaining overall responsibility and working closely with the Focal Point
· Ensure all relevant SOPs’ are in place and updated/revised as per programmatic requirements.
· Ensure orientation of staff, visitors and volunteers on specific country safety issues.
· Represent RI in coordination of all safety matters with other NGOs, the United Nations, other stakeholders, and local authorities.
· Strictly enforce compliance of all safety policies and procedures by all staff members.
External Representation
· Maintain an appropriate image of RI to all external entities and protect RI's interests and assets
· Maintain best possible relations with relevant government authorities and ensure RI registration, permits, and clearances are all up to date and enable effective program implementation
· Conduct effective ongoing liaison with donors
· Represent RI by active participation in meetings of the humanitarian and development community
· Facilitate visits by donors, RSO and GSO staff, Board members and others, as requested
· Serve as a link, along with relevant country staff, between RI and project counterparts and partners
Financial Management
Compliance
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:
This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
Relief International's Values:
We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.
We value:
· Inclusiveness
· Transparency and accountability
· Agility and innovation
· Collaboration
· Sustainability