COUNTRY DIRECTOR -ETHIOPIA

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: CARE International

Deadline:  Jun 30, 2025

Job Description

* Starting salaries are based on various factors, including candidate experience, education, knowledge, skills, and the cost of labor where the job is based. Salaries listed only apply to jobs based in the US.

Who We Are:

As a global leader, CARE is shaping the future of the humanitarian and development sector. Each year, we deliver support and services to millions of people globally. We do this by focusing on our mission and vision, and the values of equality and excellence that guide our organization. We seek dedicated individuals who align with our mission and are passionate about making it a reality by collaborating with others, embracing learning and innovation, and delivering results.

What We Are Looking For:
At CARE, we value diversely talented people who can bring different experiences and perspectives to our organization. We know that not all applicants will have every skill and qualification. We encourage everyone who meets the minimum required qualifications to apply. Having one or more of the preferred qualifications will strengthen an application. But, even if you are earlier in your career or followed a non-traditional educational or professional path, we hope you will consider a career at CARE.

 

Job Title: COUNTRY DIRECTOR – ETHIOPIA

Job Location(s): Ethiopia – Addis Ababa

 

JOB SUMMARY:

Lead Transformational Change at One of CARE’s Most Critical Country Programs

CARE has worked in Ethiopia to address the root causes of poverty and meet urgent humanitarian needs for 40 years.  We provide emergency food and water to people in the Tigray region.  Transport pregnant women in conflict areas to clinics when they go into labor.  Advocate to end child marriage and support women and children living with HIV and AIDS.  And help people earn a decent living through vocational training and access to village savings and loans.

With a staff of more than 1,300 and an annual budget of more than $94 million, CARE Ethiopia leads nearly 50 projects that save lives, reduce poverty, and advance social justice.

The Opportunity

Are you a courageous, strategic, and principled leader ready to guide one of CARE’s most significant and complex country programs? CARE is seeking a Country Director (CD) for Ethiopia—an influential role with the power to shape the lives of millions and advance gender equality, humanitarian response, and sustainable development.

Ethiopia stands at the crossroads of extraordinary need and profound potential. With a rapidly evolving landscape, CARE Ethiopia requires a leader with deep contextual understanding, proven management expertise, and a relentless commitment to social justice.

We’re looking for Country Director who can develop a new playbook for CARE in Ethiopia.  Someone who can create a cohesive team and manage a near $100 million budget.  Open doors to new partners and strengthen relationships with existing ones. Secure new revenue and ensure that all funds are spent wisely.  We need you to:

• Drive strategy and results. Enhance the blueprint to guide CARE’s work in Ethiopia, largely through partners and with partners, ensuring impactful, accountable programming and continuous adaptation to a dynamic operational environment.
• Lead the team. Guide a staff of 1,300 humanitarian practitioners, program managers, operations experts, and technical experts.
• Promote CARE, strengthen partnerships and influence. Maintain strong relationships with local governments, partners and donors, civil society, while shaping national and regional agendas.
• Grow the portfolio. Work with business development staff to identify, track and coordinate responses to funding opportunities.  Develop partnerships that lead to new funding.
• Make sure we play by the rules. Serve as our chief compliance officer in the country.  Ensure that we are ethical and efficient, that we have the procedures in place to be strong stewards of donor funding.
• Lead with integrity. Create a positive and productive workplace.  One that values hard work, feedback and continuous improvement, diversity and a strong commitment to CARE.
• Champion CARE’s mission and values, advancing equality and social inclusion through locally led, rights-based approaches.
• Ensure operational excellence, overseeing financial and risk management, compliance, and team well-being.

Your Background

• Humanitarian and development leader. You have at least 8-12 years’ experience leading humanitarian and/or development programs in global companies or international NGOs preferably with offices in Ethiopia.  You have master’s degree International Development or other relevant post-graduate degree.  You are fluent in English and preferably, proficient in Amharic.
• Commitment to diversity – You are an advocate for women and girls. You’ve worked in programs or organizations that strive to advance economic diversity.
• Natural fundraiser. You have experience identifying business opportunities for NGOs or securing funds from foundations and institutional donors.
• Collaborative manager. You are able to inspire a shared vision and motivate a country-wide team.  You’ve managed an annual budget of at least $15 million and regional or country-wide teams of 200+.
• A natural connector. You are able to build and sustain relationships with government ministries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  You are able to identify new donors and partners to work with us.  You can spot trends and keep the CARE regional executive team informed about gender, development and health needs and opportunities in Jordan.
• A strategist. You are a quick thinker, laser focused and clear decision maker.  You have a strong interest in private-sector approaches to development and a proven ability to produce results.  You can apply what you learn in your country to other countries CARE works in.

Why CARE?

At CARE, we work with courage, integrity, and a deep belief in the dignity of all people. As Country Director, you’ll join a global network of changemakers dedicated to tackling poverty and injustice. In Ethiopia, you’ll lead one of our most strategic and high-profile operations—backed by a passionate team and long-standing community trust.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply today and bring your leadership to where it’s needed most.

Required Qualifications:

– Bachelor’s Degree in related field
– 6-8 years in senior management position in development field

Strategic and operational Management
– Demonstrated experience in leading strategic and operational planning
– Extensive conceptual skills including strategic analysis
– Demonstrated management skills in a complex international setting

People/Relationship Management
– Demonstrated self-awareness, leadership and interpersonal skills
– Strong human resource management skills including capacity building, coaching and conflict management;
– Experience supervising and developing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting;
– Demonstrated interest and ability to give feedback, develop, motivate and lead a diverse team to achieve results;
– Demonstrated use of positive coping strategies in stressful environments

Financial Management
+ Knowledge and experience with financial management as demonstrated by ability to:
• Manage a complex budget
• Effectively follow-up on internal and external audit recommendations
• Ensure donor compliance and reporting

Information/Knowledge Management
– Ability to establish a learning culture within the CO and to facilitate knowledge sharing across CARE

Preferred Qualifications:

– Master’s Degree in related field
– 8+ years in a senior management position in development field
– Demonstrated experience in program design, implementation and evaluation
– Experience managing emergencies

 

 

There are individuals who may use CARE’s name and trademark in emails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job-seekers. Some examples of these fees are placement fees or immigration processing fees. CARE does not use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an up-front fee of any kind. Occasionally, CARE does employ recruiting or placement agencies to help us identify candidates for specific employment within CARE. If you’re contacted by a legitimate recruiting or placement agency, there should be no charge to you. If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud from someone purporting to be CARE, please contact us at legal@care.org. Please do not email legal@care.org to apply for this position. Instead, click “apply now” below in order to submit your interest.

CARE is an Equal Opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Starting salaries are based on internal equity, candidate experience, and the cost of labor where the job is based. Salaries listed only apply to jobs based in the US.

 

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