Country Director – Islamic Relief Worldwide (Albania)

Location: Tirana, Albania
Reports to: Eastern European Representative
Contract: Full-time

About the Role

The Country Director holds overall management responsibility for IRW’s work in Albania — leading the team, representing the organisation at all levels, and controlling financial and other resources. The role is critical to delivering high-quality programmes and achieving the organisation’s strategic objectives. The post holder may also be asked to lead emergency missions in countries where IRW has no country office, forming and leading new response teams.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

• Monitor, review and evaluate programme effectiveness, impact and direction
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and local regulations
• Deliver high-quality donor reports, annual reports and project proposals on time
• Ensure programmes are gender-sensitive and adhere to child protection principles
• Maintain effective communication with the Regional Desk at the International Office

Strategic Direction

• Provide strategic leadership and technical backing for country office programmes
• Implement and review the Country Strategy, Annual Business Plan and Emergency Preparedness Plan
• Ensure projects align with the overall country strategy and thematic areas
• Contribute to regional and global policy and strategy development

Fundraising and Representation

• Identify donors and secure institutional funding in country
• Build relationships with partners, INGOs, UN agencies, institutional donors and government departments
• Develop and present funding proposals demonstrating programme impact
• Represent IRW at meetings, conferences and with media

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage and motivate the team with clear objectives and meaningful feedback
• Implement IRW’s Personnel Management Policies and Code of Conduct
• Develop and monitor the human resource strategy
• Maintain an effective Country Management Team with participatory decision-making

Security and Risk

• Maintain an overview of the political, legal and security context
• Ensure robust security and evacuation plans are in place and regularly updated
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies for staff, assets and programmes
• Ensure adherence to health and safety policies

Governance

• Uphold high ethical standards and compliance with the organisation’s code of conduct
• Implement governance practices ensuring transparency, accountability and responsible resource management

The Country Director will spend a minimum of 20% of their time in the field with staff and right holders.

Requirements

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Master’s degree in development, social science, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Substantial experience in budgetary control and grant management
• Knowledge and experience of local and institutional fundraising
• In-depth understanding of international development issues
• Familiarity with gender approaches in relief and recovery, community development, social protection, food security and urban poverty

Experience

• Substantial experience as a Country Director or in a senior management role with an international NGO
• Proven track record with INGOs in developing countries across rehabilitation, development or emergency contexts
• Experience managing and mentoring local and international staff
• Experience overseeing programmes, including use of quantitative and qualitative data
• Commitment to participatory management and staff development

Personal Qualities

• Strong problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills
• Culturally sensitive, innovative and a team player
• Ready to travel on short notice
• Working knowledge of English as a second language
• Good understanding of and sympathy with Islamic values and principles, and commitment to IRW’s vision and mission

Country Director – Islamic Relief Worldwide (Albania)

Location: Tirana, Albania
Reports to: Eastern European Representative
Contract: Full-time

About the Role

The Country Director holds overall management responsibility for IRW’s work in Albania — leading the team, representing the organisation at all levels, and controlling financial and other resources. The role is critical to delivering high-quality programmes and achieving the organisation’s strategic objectives. The post holder may also be asked to lead emergency missions in countries where IRW has no country office, forming and leading new response teams.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

• Monitor, review and evaluate programme effectiveness, impact and direction
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and local regulations
• Deliver high-quality donor reports, annual reports and project proposals on time
• Ensure programmes are gender-sensitive and adhere to child protection principles
• Maintain effective communication with the Regional Desk at the International Office

Strategic Direction

• Provide strategic leadership and technical backing for country office programmes
• Implement and review the Country Strategy, Annual Business Plan and Emergency Preparedness Plan
• Ensure projects align with the overall country strategy and thematic areas
• Contribute to regional and global policy and strategy development

Fundraising and Representation

• Identify donors and secure institutional funding in country
• Build relationships with partners, INGOs, UN agencies, institutional donors and government departments
• Develop and present funding proposals demonstrating programme impact
• Represent IRW at meetings, conferences and with media

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage and motivate the team with clear objectives and meaningful feedback
• Implement IRW’s Personnel Management Policies and Code of Conduct
• Develop and monitor the human resource strategy
• Maintain an effective Country Management Team with participatory decision-making

Security and Risk

• Maintain an overview of the political, legal and security context
• Ensure robust security and evacuation plans are in place and regularly updated
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies for staff, assets and programmes
• Ensure adherence to health and safety policies

Governance

• Uphold high ethical standards and compliance with the organisation’s code of conduct
• Implement governance practices ensuring transparency, accountability and responsible resource management

The Country Director will spend a minimum of 20% of their time in the field with staff and right holders.

Requirements

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Master’s degree in development, social science, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Substantial experience in budgetary control and grant management
• Knowledge and experience of local and institutional fundraising
• In-depth understanding of international development issues
• Familiarity with gender approaches in relief and recovery, community development, social protection, food security and urban poverty

Experience

• Substantial experience as a Country Director or in a senior management role with an international NGO
• Proven track record with INGOs in developing countries across rehabilitation, development or emergency contexts
• Experience managing and mentoring local and international staff
• Experience overseeing programmes, including use of quantitative and qualitative data
• Commitment to participatory management and staff development

Personal Qualities

• Strong problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills
• Culturally sensitive, innovative and a team player
• Ready to travel on short notice
• Working knowledge of English as a second language
• Good understanding of and sympathy with Islamic values and principles, and commitment to IRW’s vision and mission