Country Director
South Sudan
Location
This position is based Juba, South Sudan with frequent travel to field locations.
Starting Date & Initial Contract Details
September 2022. Full time, 24 months.
Role Overview
Oversee all programme and support activities in-country. Representing Medair in all issues relating to the country programme, the Country Director plays a key role in donor relations and grant management, external representation, legal compliance, they manage the country strategy, project implementation and evaluation in conjunction with senior field managers.
Project Overview
The purpose of Medair’s multi-sector relief programme in South Sudan is to save lives and alleviate human suffering by working in fixed and emergency response locations, with vulnerable populations and providing essential life-saving health, nutrition, WASH, NFI/ES and mental health and psychosocial services.
Our Culture
Key Activity Areas
Leadership and Management
- To Implement the country strategy; design, review and evaluate in collaboration with senior field managers and GSO staffs. Consider the political and security context, community needs, donor criteria and strategies and possible exit strategies in order to facilitate the long-term planning and development of projects.
- Ensure the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the planned activities in accordance with the project proposals and logical frameworks and institutional donor policies and guidelines.
- Manage the overall programme and support functions related to reviews, management structures, the development and maintenance of operational procedures for individual projects and support functions.
- Analyse humanitarian needs, trends and political developments in the country of operation and the surrounding region in order to anticipate new projects and initiatives, ensure needs driven, life-saving focus. Ensure that the project proposals, project implementation and project reporting are of high quality that meet and exceed donor expectations and relevant national and international standards.
- Maintain strong relationships with donors so that Medair is a partner of choice.
- Ensure that activities and support functions comply with the national and international laws and regulations.
Operations Management
- Oversee programme implementations in consultation with the relevant senior field manager of the programme. Ensure objectives are met on time and within the budgets while preventing corrective actions.
- Ensure good communications with all country teams implementing and supporting the programme plans.
- Ensure that the structures are in place to support managers to comply with operational systems, donor requirements while meeting the country programme strategy. Development of activity plans & resource analysis.
- Prepare and implement policies, procedures and guidelines, as appropriate and with the relevant field manager and GSO staffs through standardised procedures and improvement supports.
- Represent Medair at relevant national and local meetings with government officials, contractors, donors, UN and other NGOs, etc., reporting back as applicable to staff, field managers and GSO.
Financial Management
- Supervise the budget management and expenditures, in collaboration with the finance manager, the project. coordinator, manager and GSO staffs, ensuring budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations. Ensure the management of spending within the programme is in-line with the approved budgets.
- Ensure sufficient and appropriate controls are in place to prevent fraud and that relevant staff receive the required information and training to minimise the risk of occurrence within the country programme.
Security Management
- Overall responsibility for the safety and security of Medair staff and assets.
- Oversee the updating and implementation of country location security plans, guidelines and manuals.
- Ensure appropriate security procedures and awareness are maintained throughout the country programme.
- Leading decision makings and contingency plans. Chair the local Crisis Management Team if/when required.
Staff Management
- Line manage designated staff, including direct supervision and development.
- Hold regular team meetings and through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure, develop and build an effective team.
- Ensure effective HR functions of all national and international staffs and refer issues to the appropriate HR lead. Ensure compliance and safeguarding policies and practices are in place in all locations.
- Reflect the vision and values of Medair while providing good leadership, support and appropriate communication.
Quality Management
- Review, develop and implement systems to detect and improve transparency in order to prevent loss or fraud. Ensure that the country programme are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair and stakeholder international standards and others.
Team Spiritual Life
- Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
- Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
- Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.
This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.
Qualifications
- Degree in Management; Development Studies; Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject.
- Desired Post-graduate degree in the humanitarian sector; Security management and/or Leadership training.
- Excellent working knowledge of English and French (speaking and writing). Arabic will be an advantage.

Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC)
What is the ROC and why is it required?
Experience
- 5 years post-qualification experience in a management position and 3 years in complex humanitarian emergencies.
- 1-year experience in managing projects in insecure working environments.
- Experience in dealing with donors and government officials. Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials such as Sphere and CHS. Strategic thinker, change oriented, advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills.
- Advanced leadership and management skills and ability to build trust and enforce procedures.
- Experience and willingness in training and mentoring staffs. Team player with good interpersonal skills.
All new deploying international staff to Medair’s country programmes (and other roles which require field travel) should be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence.
Before you apply
Please review the following questions to know if applying
for a field role as an International Staff is right for you.
- Do you wish to apply as an International Staff (outside your home country)?
If you wish to apply as a National Staff (inside your home country), click here to find job listings near you. - Do your values strongly align with ours?
Our values are important to us, so we seek out candidates who are fully committed to our core organisational values. - Are you married?
You and your spouse may both apply for field roles and Medair will do its best to place you in the same location. However, placements for International Staff with accompanying spouses are very limited and reserved mostly for senior or critical roles. - Do you have children under 18 years old?
Due to the emergency context of our work, we offer very few placements for families with children. - Do you know about the ROC?
The Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) is a prerequisite for all candidates who desire to work in our field locations. To learn about the time and costs associated with this course, download our ROC Brochure. - Do your skills and experience align with what we look for?
Learn more about the profiles we seek and the benefits we offer for International Staff. - Are you suitable to work with children?
Medair is committed to safeguarding the protection of all parties we work with, especially children. We do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with children. Please review our protection policies carefully before applying. - Are you fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence?
It is our organisational responsibility to take measures which minimise the possibility of Medair representatives being a channel of risk to the vulnerable populations we serve.
Frequently
Asked Questions
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Medair’s internationally recruited and HQ staff are Christians who are committed to the Medair values.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit?
Medair’s internationally recruited and HQ staff are Christians who are committed to the Medair values.
-
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit?
Medair’s internationally recruited and HQ staff are Christians who are committed to the Medair values.
-
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit?
Medair’s internationally recruited and HQ staff are Christians who are committed to the Medair values.
-
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit?
Medair’s internationally recruited and HQ staff are Christians who are committed to the Medair values.
-
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur elit?
Medair’s internationally recruited and HQ staff are Christians who are committed to the Medair values.