Islamic Relief Worldwide
Country Director
Duty station: Kosova
Reports to: Eastern European Representative. Direct management responsibility for: Head of Programmes/Programme Manager; Finance Manager, Admin Manager, etc.
DIVISIONAL PURPOSE
The International Programme Division provides capacity development, technical assistance and programme support to keep the organization’s work centred on the socio-economic and humanitarian needs of vulnerable people.
By strengthening IR’s implementation structures, the division helps individuals and communities achieve sustainable development while maintaining the organization’s readiness to respond rapidly and effectively to humanitarian emergencies.
The division strengthens the organization’s poverty-reduction capacity through proactive development of partnerships and institutional relationships, alongside transparent reporting to donors within the required timeframes.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
This position holds overall responsibility for managing and developing IRW’s activities in the country of assignment, representing the organization, directing the team and overseeing financial and other resources.
The Country Director represents Islamic Relief at every level within the country of deployment. The role is central to organizational success and the achievement of strategic objectives, including programmes delivered to the highest quality standards.
Responsibilities also include strengthening field-office capacity, resolving operational problems and monitoring progress against agreed action plans.
The Country Director must also be prepared to lead emergency missions in locations where IRW has no country office but is launching an emergency response. This includes establishing and directing new response teams, managing the mission and representing IRW in all relevant forums.
PRINCIPAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
REMIT AND AUTHORITY
Role scope:
Accountable to the Eastern European Representative, the Country Director manages IRW’s work across the country of assignment. This encompasses leading humanitarian responses, supporting change and reducing poverty through practical development programmes that help people improve their circumstances and determine their futures. The Country Director must ensure that every country-team member embeds in their procedures, work and attitudes the understanding that rights holders in the field are IR’s true owners, and that the CO’s success is measured by its positive effect on their lives. Responsibilities include the Country Office budget, management of all country-office personnel—including country sub-office(s) and head of mission(s)—and their security, together with serving as IRW’s legal representative in the country.
Resource accountability:
Under the Eastern European Representative, the Country Director is accountable for office resources overall, including personnel, capital and finances. All resources must serve operational needs as effectively as possible and be used in accordance with the relevant IRW policies and procedures.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. PROGRAMME DELIVERY AND MANAGEMENT
Arrange regular monitoring, review and evaluation of programme effectiveness, impact and direction.
Sustain clear, effective communication within the programme and with the Regional Desk at the International Office.
Review and refresh the country situation analysis and emergency response, communicating these to the EE Representative twice a year.
Deliver high-quality donor reports, annual reports and project proposals for IRW and donors within agreed deadlines.
Maintain programme effectiveness and efficiency while meeting donor requirements and local regulations.
Direct, support and motivate the team, providing clear objectives and meaningful performance feedback.
Keep an informed overview of political, legal and security conditions, with robust security and evacuation plans in place.
Integrate gender sensitivity and child protection principles into programmes.
2. PROGRAMME REVIEW AND EVALUATION
Design and introduce innovative methods for tracking programme performance.
Continuously monitor and evaluate implemented projects and programmes, drawing on IRW’s quality guidance.
Apply the Policy and Procedures Manual and other international standards to strengthen effectiveness.
Evaluate programme impact adequately and measure the changes resulting from programme activities.
3. STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND PLANNING
4. FUNDRAISING, EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION AND NETWORKS
5. STAFF DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORT AND CAPACITY STRENGTHENING
6. ADVANCING ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
Draw on country-programme experience to make appropriate contributions to regional and global policy development and advocacy.
Support IRW’s work to influence the policies of major donors, the private sector and UN agencies.
Encourage information sharing, preparation of programme case studies and learning from experience across country, regional and global levels.
7. SECURITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY
8. ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT
Maintain effective programme financial and budgetary controls, sound financial stewardship and accountability, with accounts prepared on time under IRW policies and procedures.
Manage grants effectively against IRW procedures and performance targets, including timely delivery of quality donor reports, ensuring budget holders can manage and monitor their budgets competently, and maintaining appropriate expenditure phasing.
Put Security guidelines and procedures into operation where appropriate, reviewing the guidelines bi-annually and updating them whenever required.
Keep the country’s emergency preparedness and response plans up to date.
Meet local legal, regulatory and reporting obligations.
Prepare accounts within the required timeframes and in line with IRW policies and procedures.
9. Managing Risk
10. Governance and Ethical Conduct
11. ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATION
The Country Director is responsible for ensuring the following:
Represent IRW with government, UN and other international agencies, donors and bodies, including the media, while proactively seeking opportunities to strengthen key stakeholder relationships.
Maintain appropriate liaison and negotiations with project partners, NGOs, international agencies and others to monitor and review programmes, cooperating and coordinating wherever appropriate.
Build relationships with government and partner agencies at all levels to support appropriate programme development.
12. Engagement with Stakeholders
Establish and sustain strong connections with local government officials, partner organizations, donors and other stakeholders.
Represent the organization in meetings, conferences and other events, advocating its mission and priorities.
Work alongside local communities so that programmes reflect their needs and aspirations.
13. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The post holder must demonstrate a sound understanding of, and sympathy with, Islamic values and principles, alongside commitment to the vision and mission of Islamic Relief Worldwide.
Essential criteria:
Knowledge, Qualifications and Skills
A Master’s degree in development or social science, or an appropriate combination of graduation and professional experience.
Extensive practical experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management.
Knowledge and experience of both local and institutional fundraising.
Thorough understanding of international development issues.
Knowledge of gender approaches within relief and recovery.
Knowledge covering Community Development, Social Protection, Food Security, Urban Poverty and related areas.
Professional Experience
Personal Attributes
Required documents
Position of the International Programmes Division within IR
Organization of the International Programmes Division
Organization of the Regional Office-MENAEE
Islamic Relief Worldwide
Country Director
Duty station: Kosova
Reports to: Eastern European Representative. Direct management responsibility for: Head of Programmes/Programme Manager; Finance Manager, Admin Manager, etc.
DIVISIONAL PURPOSE
The International Programme Division provides capacity development, technical assistance and programme support to keep the organization’s work centred on the socio-economic and humanitarian needs of vulnerable people.
By strengthening IR’s implementation structures, the division helps individuals and communities achieve sustainable development while maintaining the organization’s readiness to respond rapidly and effectively to humanitarian emergencies.
The division strengthens the organization’s poverty-reduction capacity through proactive development of partnerships and institutional relationships, alongside transparent reporting to donors within the required timeframes.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
This position holds overall responsibility for managing and developing IRW’s activities in the country of assignment, representing the organization, directing the team and overseeing financial and other resources.
The Country Director represents Islamic Relief at every level within the country of deployment. The role is central to organizational success and the achievement of strategic objectives, including programmes delivered to the highest quality standards.
Responsibilities also include strengthening field-office capacity, resolving operational problems and monitoring progress against agreed action plans.
The Country Director must also be prepared to lead emergency missions in locations where IRW has no country office but is launching an emergency response. This includes establishing and directing new response teams, managing the mission and representing IRW in all relevant forums.
PRINCIPAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
REMIT AND AUTHORITY
Role scope:
Accountable to the Eastern European Representative, the Country Director manages IRW’s work across the country of assignment. This encompasses leading humanitarian responses, supporting change and reducing poverty through practical development programmes that help people improve their circumstances and determine their futures. The Country Director must ensure that every country-team member embeds in their procedures, work and attitudes the understanding that rights holders in the field are IR’s true owners, and that the CO’s success is measured by its positive effect on their lives. Responsibilities include the Country Office budget, management of all country-office personnel—including country sub-office(s) and head of mission(s)—and their security, together with serving as IRW’s legal representative in the country.
Resource accountability:
Under the Eastern European Representative, the Country Director is accountable for office resources overall, including personnel, capital and finances. All resources must serve operational needs as effectively as possible and be used in accordance with the relevant IRW policies and procedures.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. PROGRAMME DELIVERY AND MANAGEMENT
Arrange regular monitoring, review and evaluation of programme effectiveness, impact and direction.
Sustain clear, effective communication within the programme and with the Regional Desk at the International Office.
Review and refresh the country situation analysis and emergency response, communicating these to the EE Representative twice a year.
Deliver high-quality donor reports, annual reports and project proposals for IRW and donors within agreed deadlines.
Maintain programme effectiveness and efficiency while meeting donor requirements and local regulations.
Direct, support and motivate the team, providing clear objectives and meaningful performance feedback.
Keep an informed overview of political, legal and security conditions, with robust security and evacuation plans in place.
Integrate gender sensitivity and child protection principles into programmes.
2. PROGRAMME REVIEW AND EVALUATION
Design and introduce innovative methods for tracking programme performance.
Continuously monitor and evaluate implemented projects and programmes, drawing on IRW’s quality guidance.
Apply the Policy and Procedures Manual and other international standards to strengthen effectiveness.
Evaluate programme impact adequately and measure the changes resulting from programme activities.
3. STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND PLANNING
4. FUNDRAISING, EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION AND NETWORKS
5. STAFF DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORT AND CAPACITY STRENGTHENING
6. ADVANCING ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
Draw on country-programme experience to make appropriate contributions to regional and global policy development and advocacy.
Support IRW’s work to influence the policies of major donors, the private sector and UN agencies.
Encourage information sharing, preparation of programme case studies and learning from experience across country, regional and global levels.
7. SECURITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY
8. ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT
Maintain effective programme financial and budgetary controls, sound financial stewardship and accountability, with accounts prepared on time under IRW policies and procedures.
Manage grants effectively against IRW procedures and performance targets, including timely delivery of quality donor reports, ensuring budget holders can manage and monitor their budgets competently, and maintaining appropriate expenditure phasing.
Put Security guidelines and procedures into operation where appropriate, reviewing the guidelines bi-annually and updating them whenever required.
Keep the country’s emergency preparedness and response plans up to date.
Meet local legal, regulatory and reporting obligations.
Prepare accounts within the required timeframes and in line with IRW policies and procedures.
9. Managing Risk
10. Governance and Ethical Conduct
11. ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATION
The Country Director is responsible for ensuring the following:
Represent IRW with government, UN and other international agencies, donors and bodies, including the media, while proactively seeking opportunities to strengthen key stakeholder relationships.
Maintain appropriate liaison and negotiations with project partners, NGOs, international agencies and others to monitor and review programmes, cooperating and coordinating wherever appropriate.
Build relationships with government and partner agencies at all levels to support appropriate programme development.
12. Engagement with Stakeholders
Establish and sustain strong connections with local government officials, partner organizations, donors and other stakeholders.
Represent the organization in meetings, conferences and other events, advocating its mission and priorities.
Work alongside local communities so that programmes reflect their needs and aspirations.
13. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The post holder must demonstrate a sound understanding of, and sympathy with, Islamic values and principles, alongside commitment to the vision and mission of Islamic Relief Worldwide.
Essential criteria:
Knowledge, Qualifications and Skills
A Master’s degree in development or social science, or an appropriate combination of graduation and professional experience.
Extensive practical experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management.
Knowledge and experience of both local and institutional fundraising.
Thorough understanding of international development issues.
Knowledge of gender approaches within relief and recovery.
Knowledge covering Community Development, Social Protection, Food Security, Urban Poverty and related areas.
Professional Experience
Personal Attributes
Required documents
Position of the International Programmes Division within IR
Organization of the International Programmes Division
Organization of the Regional Office-MENAEE
