Country Director

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
This position is open to candidates with existing work authorization in the location where the position is advertised.
IRC Chad strategy
The IRC began operations in Chad in 2004 in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of Darfur refugees into eastern Chad, starting with the Ouré Cassoni refugee camp. Today, the IRC supports Sudanese refugees and host communities in 14 camps and host villages in the east, and since April 2023 has expanded its response to assist refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan. Services in the east include health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), economic recovery and development, women’s empowerment and protection. The IRC also works in Guéra province to address malnutrition and in the Lac region to respond to the Boko Haram crisis, with projects in health, nutrition, protection and response to gender-based violence. Across the country, IRC Chad combines humanitarian, nexus and development responses to help the most affected populations exercise their rights with dignity and access quality basic social services that meet their needs.
IRC Chad’s strategy focuses on three outcome areas: health (nutrition, child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and climate-resilient WASH), safety (high-impact targeted individual assistance) and economic wellbeing (food security, basic needs, early recovery and resilience). It is underpinned by commitments to gender equality, diversity and inclusion, cash and voucher assistance, and investment in partnerships with relevant ministries and local partners.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Country Director will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the country program with the primary focus on ensuring IRC Chad’s programs meet the expressed needs of the beneficiaries we serve. S/he is responsible for ensuring the delivery of quality programs, maintaining/expanding donor and government relations, engaging strategic local organizations, fundraising and budget management, security and operations management, and developing a motivated and professional team.
Success in this position requires an individual with exemplary leadership abilities who deploys strong communications and interpersonal skills effectively, both internally and externally. The successful candidate will enjoy developing networks to build partnerships and diversify program resources. Given the operating environment, the Country Director is expected to be attentive to risk management. S/he will be directly responsible for the overall coordination and strategic direction of the country program; providing oversight and coaching for directly supervised senior managers; leading country program teams to identify, design and deliver responsive, high-quality programs; ensuring efficient management of public grants and private funds for results, compliance and focused, timely reporting; and oversight of financial management and compliance systems.
Reporting to the Regional Vice President, this position receives support from regional and headquarters staff in the areas of program quality, new business development, safety and security management, finance, operations management, and external affairs. The Country Director is additionally expected to actively participate in defining the IRC’s public advocacy positions.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Representation
Provide exemplary leadership by fostering a strong team spirit, open communication, and an inclusive and empowering work environment.
Develop and maintain strategic relationships with: Chad Government authorities at various levels; donors (including institutional, non-institutional and private); UN and other international organizations; international and local NGOs; and networks such as INGO coordination mechanisms and appropriate working groups.
Position IRC as a key partner for major international donors and seize opportunities to promote IRC’s work.
Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donor priorities and planned funding.
Initiate and sustain strong, mutually beneficial, and authentic partnerships with Chadian organizations.
Seek out and pursue opportunities to raise the profile of the work of the IRC and its partners in Chad, as well as the lives and the needs of the people the IRC seeks to serve.
Strategic Direction, Program Quality and Development
Ensure that the country program’s strategic vision and direction are aligned with the IRC’s strategy to serve populations through responsive, high-quality, and accountable programming, and secure the necessary resources for its implementation.
Ensure the country program’s alignment with the IRC strategy and the implementation of the strategic action plan.
Ensure program quality through rigorous design, M&E, and accountability processes, and investments in staff development and partner capacity sharing.
Remain current on national and regional issues impacting the country program and partners and develop responsive strategies to ensure the IRC mission can be carried out appropriately in case of contextual changes.
Ensure country program alignment with and involvement in meeting regional objectives.
Identify opportunities to expand programming and ensure continuous contextual monitoring.
Oversee the development and submission of competitive, high-quality proposals; lead partnerships with local civil society organizations in line with PEERS standards, lead negotiations with donors; and build relationships with Chad Ministries.
Safety Security and Access Management
Take primary responsibility for overall management of safety and security for the country program.
Oversee the management of all security issues, including appropriate response to emergency situations as they arise.
Create and maintain a culture of safety and security awareness throughout the country program, including trainings and briefings that prepare all country program staff for security incident prevention and response.
Keep security, evacuation and contingency plans up to date and accessible to country program staff.
Maintain close coordination and communication with the Regional Safety & Security Director on safety security concerns and evolving issues that could adversely affect IRC staff or operations.
Staff Performance Management and Development
Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development for IRC staff.
Oversee the management, coaching and development of all staff to build a cadre of skilled, committed and motivated personnel.
Pursue nationalization of senior management positions.
Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
Undertake regular reviews of labor laws, and salary markets in Chad for the purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of the IRC’s overall compensation package for team members.
Stewardship and Operational Management
Drive operational excellence to achieve optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness in all functions and operations of the country program.
Oversee the development, deployment and utilization of financial and operational policies, procedures, and systems to comply with IRC and donor requirements.
Ensure appropriate support for all departments (HR, Finance, Supply Chain) and the consistent implementation of the IRC Way.
Provide timely and effective oversight of the Chad country program’s financial position.
Ensure rigorous budget monitoring of grants and discretionary funds and identify opportunities for operational optimization
Communications
Model and encourage active practice of the principles of the “IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct” throughout the Chad country program.
Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages open, honest and productive communication among IRC staff and with partner organizations.
Maintain open communication with regional management staff, regional technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.
KEY REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES:
The position reports to: Regional Vice President, WACAR
The position directly supervises: Deputy Director

Skills
Business Development, Risk Management