Country Director – Yemen

Job Description & Person Specification

Country Director – Yemen

Salary: £4,000 (per calendar month) + benefits

Contract: 1 year (subject to extension)
Hours: Full-time

Location: Yemen

Reports to: UK Head of Programmes/Deputy CEO

Closing Date: Rolling (until a suitable candidate is identified)

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to provide access to quality education to vulnerable children in our regions of work. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school, to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world. READ Foundation Yemen (RFY) established its operations in Yemen in July 2020. Since its establishment, RFY has assisted the affected population with lifesaving interventions in different governorates.

Purpose of job

The role holder will represent READ Foundation in the country of assignment and is responsible for the planning, management and implementation of the country program.

Ensuring strategic alignment with the READ Foundation global strategy, the Country Director will exhibit strong leadership to coordinate and supervise the efficient implementation of READ Foundation’s Programmes.

The role holder will also develop strong strategic partnerships with other stakeholders, including UN and other institutional funding entities to maximise resource mobilisation.

Main Responsibilities

Programme strategy and management:

• Create and influence the RFY programmes strategy in line with READ Foundation’s vision, mission and core values.
• Responsible for the delivery of our international programmes, ensuring programme effectiveness. A particular focus on Education in emergencies.
• Delivery of the programmes operational plan and ensuring alignment with READ Foundation’s strategic plan.
• Develop READ Foundation’s humanitarian response in education and provide guidance in terms of strategy, deployment and resource mobilisation.
• Ensure READ Foundation’s programmes harness the correct balance between Humanitarian response vs Sustainable development, in line with the new sustainable development goals.
• Manage the Country Office team, including direct supervision of senior management staff (Head of Finance, Head of Programmes etc.) with general oversight of the Programmes, Operations, and Finance teams.

Representation and communication:

• Oversight of strategic partnership initiatives and resource mobilisation, through institutional funding, partner organisations and high net worth individuals.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships and alliances with like-minded organisations globally on delivery and sector-wide issues.
• Raise the profile of the charity in the sector through networking and representing it on the appropriate platforms.
• Ensure the Yemen-programmes and projects are suitably documented with appropriate reporting, media and communications. Ensure READ Foundation and other donors receive high quality feedback.

Operational oversight

• Overall responsibility for Programme Compliance, including managing READ Foundation’s Risk framework through robust risk policies and procedures.
• Ensure the capacity building of READ Foundation Yemen’s mission with the appropriate technical skills, systems and thematic training.
• Oversee and maximise Yemen staff’s performance and learning.
• Monitor structure, workflows, processes, and systems to ensure these are fit for purpose at all times, with responsibility for introducing such changes as appropriate from time to time
• Responsible for periodic budget setting and ensuring optimal annual spend in coordination with the Head of Finance and Operations.
• Work with the Deputy CEO and other UK departments to further develop READ Yemen’s footprint.
• Responsible for the safety and security of the staff, program, and assets; ensure safety and security policies are updated and implemented.

This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities will vary from the particulars of this job description.

Special Working Conditions

Work occasional flexible hours including evenings and weekends

Company benefits include:

• 22 days of annual leave plus national holidays
• Medical insurance reimbursed
• Non-family posting
• Accommodation at RFY guesthouse

Additional benefits for international staff contracts:

• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure
• Travel ticket to/from place of assignment at the beginning and end of assignment.
• R&R
• Contribution towards flight ticket for R&R

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Knowledge of project management principles and their application.
• Knowledge of education focused projects (desirable)
• A proven track record of success as a Country Director or Head of Mission working in complex environments whilst delivering with high quality results.
• Experience of formulating high-quality concept notes and project proposals.
• Demonstrable experience of applying effective problem-solving techniques.
• Effective communicator who is able to develop strong relationships with the fundraising team, key people within the company and external stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications

• 3 years’ experience as a Country Director or Head of Mission. We would consider competent Programme Directors with 5+ years’ experience.
• Educated in a development or humanitarian discipline such as International development, International Relations, Project management in developing environment, NGO management etc.
• Experience in developing or managing Education based projects (Desirable)
• Experience of successfully fundraising and dealing with institutional donors and international donors.
• Proven experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management.
• Strong and well-developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing quality proposals and reports
• MS Office Suite; Project management systems
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise a complicated workload.

Skills

• Ability to work under pressure, manage time, workload and prioritise work to deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with an ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Good independent judgement and ability to challenge constructively.
• Excellent organisational, planning and time management skills.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

All staff members, regardless of their role or level within READ Foundation are required to uphold READ Foundation’s safeguarding standards and commit to the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

Key Responsibilities:

• Adhere to READ Foundation’s Safeguarding and PSEA Policies and Code of Conduct at all times.
• Report any safeguarding concerns or SEA incidents they become aware of, following READ Foundation’s reporting mechanisms.
• Participate in mandatory safeguarding training and refresher sessions.
• Cooperate in good faith with any safeguarding investigations, audits, or reviews conducted by READ Foundation.
• Promote a culture of safeguarding within their respective roles and ensure that safeguarding risks are identified and mitigated.
• Failure to comply with these safeguarding responsibilities may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment, in line with organisational policies.

Safeguarding Commitment: At READ Foundation, we are unwavering in our dedication to creating a safe and secure environment for all, especially children and vulnerable adults. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation and abuse. To uphold this commitment, this role necessitates background checks and strict adherence to our safeguarding policies and procedures. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and pledge to uphold our safeguarding principles.