Country Director

Finnish Refugee Council (FRC) / Suomen Pakolaisapu (www.refugeecouncil.fi) is an International non-governmental organisation with Head Office in Helsinki; FRC advocates for the rights of refugees, displaced populations and migrants, and supports their new beginning. By reinforcing equality and creating opportunities for everyone to lead a good life, FRC promotes the establishment of stable and peaceful societies.

Education forms the foundations of an equal society, and FRC´s action places emphasis on capacity building for the most vulnerable members of societies as well as for community-based organisations, thus strengthening basic democratic structures.

FRC has started its operations in Ethiopia in 2020 and is implementing humanitarian and development interventions in Amhara and Gambella Regions, funded primarily by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; inclusive functional adult literacy and livelihoods support for refugees and host communities (Gambella) and emergency multi-sector support to IDPs/Returnees (Amhara) are currently at the core of FRC’s action in the country.

FRC is searching for a motivated and experienced professional as

Country Director

to provide leadership for the country programme in Ethiopia.

 Description of main tasks:

• Supervise the management of FRC humanitarian and development interventions
• Strengthen the presence of FRC in the country and its country office
• Expand the scope of FRC operations, geographically and sector-wise, and diversify the donor portfolio.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• Represents FRC in front of the National Authorities, Institutional Donors, international and national organisations and the coordination mechanisms present at national level.
• Responsible for supervision of country program implementation
• Overall responsibility for Administrative and Financial management of the Country Programme
• Supervision of Personnel
• Developing the Country Strategy and updating it regularly based on identified needs and possibilities within the FRC strategic framework
• Liaise and network with both international and national stakeholders
• Assess donor environment and opportunities for funding and seeks partnerships with other actors
• Supports Communications and Marketing Department at HQ

Duty Station

Addis Ababa with frequent travels to project area/s (at least 25% of the time).

Education:

• Higher University Degree in relevant subjects (i.e. Education, Social Sciences, Development or equivalent)

Relevant experience:

• at least 5 years working overseas in the development and humanitarian fields, with proven experience of interventions in education, social sector and/or livelihoods
• at least 5 years in a senior management position including responsibility for project management and budget management and control

Key competencies:

• Commitment to FRC’s values
• Strong experience in result-based project development and management
• Financial management skills
• Personnel management skills
• Strategic planning skills
• Excellent communication skills and ability to represent FRC with a broad range of stakeholders including donors, government officials, national and international organisations
• Proficient written and spoken English language skills and ability to draft complex narrative text, such as project proposals and reporting;

Additional desirable competencies:

• Previous experience in Ethiopia (or East Africa) and familiarity with the context of operations
• Experience in working within the NGO sector
• Proficiency in Finnish and/or Amharic languages
• Training on PCM, finance and administration and security
• Familiarity and previous experience in vocational/functional adult literacy programmes.

Duration of commitment

• 1 year with possible extension subject to available funding; suggested start date 1^st of November 2022.