Overview
The Country Director will lead the transformation of the country to a new operating model, whilst also delivering Save the Children’s strategy within the country through delivering quality programmes and ensuring world class stewardship of resources.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to strategic development and delivery of integrated international programming.
- Deliver transformational change in-country, including developing and delivering improved outcomes for children.
- Engage Save the Children staff, partners and other stakeholders.
- Create an environment of continuous learning.
- Ensure that the focus of the organisation remains on the rights and needs of children.
- Develop strong country strategy and operational plans.
- Prepare for and implement rapid and effective responses to local and cross-border emergencies affecting children.
- Deliver programmes and advocacy in line with the country strategy, operational plans, budgets.
- Collaborate with colleagues in the region to deliver regional programmes and advocacy.
- Develop and maintain good relations with Members and their donors.
- Grow the country programme.
- Develop and maintain efficient and effective operating systems.
- Ensure compliance with all Save the Children Essential Standards, including safety & security management.
- Contribute to global knowledge and learning in Save the Children.
- Ensure compliance with host government requirements.
- Ensure that internal and external audits are undertaken in a timely and efficient manner.
- Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits.
- Ensure all incidents of fraud are rapidly investigated.
- Ensure the Country office has security plans and procedures.
- Maintain, document and communicate up to date analyses of the changing security context.
- Ensure all staff adhere to safety and security guidelines.
- Fulfill responsibilities in achieving compliance of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy standards.
- Provide overall leadership and oversight to the development of country level child safeguarding systems.
Required Experience
- Substantial experience of building, leading and developing a diverse team of senior staff to deliver on both development and humanitarian programs.
- Experience of working with donors to secure and/or manage new large-scale and/or competitive funding.
- Experience of leading high-profile advocacy and campaigning initiatives.
- Experience in managing a growing county office and the need to balance growth with capacity.
- Experience of leading change in an organisation which has led to considerable results for the organisation and its stakeholders.
- Experience of building personal networks, including government, at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organisation.
- Strategic thinker who is comfortable with developing highly ambitious business strategies at scale and the track record of delivering on these.
- Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in.
- Excellent understanding of programme, financial and operational management processes.
- Good understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development.
- Strong and nuanced cultural awareness.
- Demonstrable ability to recruit, lead and develop high calibre specialist senior staff with a range of backgrounds and expertise.
- Strong track record in building high performance teams and future successors/leaders.
- Evidence of identifying and building strategic and effective business networks at a very senior level, which have resulted in clear business benefit for the organisation.
- Innovative approach to solving a range of highly complex issues and galvanising buy-in to the solutions at all levels.
- Highly developed political acumen and ability to navigate through diverse political situations.
- Prior experience in Uganda or Eastern Africa.
Qualifications
• Master’s degree level qualification or equivalent length of experience in the sector.
