Country Lead

 Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Direction

• Lead the development, adaptation, and implementation of the country strategy and annual      operational plans in line with the organization’s global priorities and local context.
• Ensure programs deliver measurable outcomes and contribute to national ownership,  sustainability, and long-term impact.
• Identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and adaptation based on emerging  needs, evidence, and changing context.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and impact measurement; use data to improve programs and report results.

Program Quality & Implementation

• Provide overall oversight of program design, implementation, and quality assurance across all projects/thematic areas.
• Ensure activities achieve intended outputs, outcomes, and results while promoting accountability to communities and partners.
• Lead risk identification and management, including operational, programmatic, and reputational risks.
• Promote localization by strengthening local partners, civil society organizations, and government capacity where relevant.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing country team (often including technical advisors, program managers, finance, and operations staff).
• Recruit, coach, mentor, and manage performance of staff; foster an inclusive, values-driven, and empowering culture.
• Ensure staff safety, security, well-being, and adherence to organizational policies (including safeguarding and codes of conduct).
• Support professional development and succession planning, with a focus on national staff leadership.

Financial Management, Grants & Resource Mobilization

• Oversee country budgets, financial planning, and expenditure tracking to ensure efficient and compliant use of funds.
• Ensure strong grant management, donor compliance, accurate reporting, and audit readiness.
• Lead or support fundraising and resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development, donor cultivation, and diversification of funding.
• Maintain financial integrity and value-for-money principles.

External Representation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary representative of the organization in the country with government ministries, donors, UN agencies, other NGOs, civil society, communities, and media.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships and coalitions that advance the mission.
• Engage in policy dialogue, advocacy, and coordination platforms to influence enabling environments and promote the organization’s priorities.
• Uphold and promote the organization’s brand, values, and reputation.

Operations, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure effective operational systems (HR, logistics, administration, security) that support program delivery.
• Guarantee full compliance with local laws, organizational policies, donor requirements, and international standards (e.g., Core Humanitarian Standard where applicable).
• Provide regular, high-quality narrative and financial reports to regional/global leadership and donors.
• Lead country-level planning, budgeting, and performance review processes.

Typical Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred (Bachelor’s minimum) in International Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, Management, or a relevant field.
• 7–12+ years of progressive experience in the non-profit/development/humanitarian sector, including significant senior leadership experience at country or program level.
• Proven track record of leading complex programs, managing teams, and delivering results in the relevant thematic area (e.g., health, education, livelihoods, climate, rights, etc.).
• Strong experience in donor relations, grant management, and preferably fundraising.
• Excellent external representation, networking, and influencing skills with government and other stakeholders.
• Solid financial and operational management skills.
• Cultural sensitivity, political acumen, and ability to navigate complex local contexts.
• Fluency in the local language(s) and English (or the organization’s working language); deep understanding of the country context is highly valued.
• Commitment to the organization’s mission, values, and principles (including equity, inclusion, and accountability).

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and adaptive leadership  
• Program quality and results orientation  
• Partnership building and stakeholder management  
• People leadership and capacity development  
• Financial acumen and resource stewardship  
• Communication, influence, and representation  
• Problem-solving and resilience in challenging environments