Country Director Shelter For Life , Senegal
Shelter For Life International (SFL) is a Christian Relief and Development organization with over 27 years of history in providing humanitarian assistance to post conflict countries. SFL is currently operational in Afghanistan, Liberia, South Sudan, Senegal and Tajikistan. Our Headquarters is located in Minnetonka, MN. SFL provides support and assistance in the following areas:
1. Shelter and Population Settlement
2. Application of Microcredit
3. Agriculture Development and Food Security
4. Reconstruction of Physical and Market Infrastructure; i.e. farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, and food storage, etc.
SFL’s mission is to Demonstrate God’s love by enabling people affected by conflict and disaster to restore their lives and rebuild their communities. You can learn more about us at: www.shelter.org.
We are currently seeking a Country Director to lead a new project based in Senegal. This position will be responsible for overseeing a three-year program focused on the construction of tertiary road networks in Southern and Northern Senegal.
Summary
The position of Country Director serves as the primary contact to the Headquarters Office, interacting with other implementing partners, implementing units, and international donors. The Country Director is responsible for maintaining the safety and integrity of the overall mission, as well as ensuring that operational goals and objectives are achieved through appropriate and professional means. This position requires knowledge and skills that may be obtained from a graduate level education in business, international development, or related field. This position is responsible for providing financial oversight, analyzing operational budgets and assuring reporting is timely and accurate. The CD is responsible for donor and stakeholder engagement in Senegal, new business development, and providing work direction and Christian leadership to the local and expatriate staff. At least five years of experience in a similar role is required. Knowledge and experience with road construction, business development, water and sanitation is extremely valuable. Excellence in performing this position is inspired by a strong commitment to Jesus Christ.
Areas of Responsibility:
Program Operations Management
• Supervise the structure of the program and monitor the progress of the project objectives to ensure that it is completed on time and on budget and provide financial projections.
• Direct and coordinate activities of regional projects and support functions concerned with project implementation, business development, and spiritual impact.
• Direct, plan, and implement policies, objectives, and activities of the organization to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, and to increase productivity.
• Manage, train, and supervise all project staff members, applying all project-related security measures for their safety.
• Direct human resources activities, including the approval of local human resource plans and activities, the selection of in-country international or national staff, and establishment and organization of major departments.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships and communication for project coordination and implementation through local communities, regional coordination meetings, government programs, partner communications, INGO networks and donor agencies.
• Negotiate or approve contracts and agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal and state agencies, and other organizational entities.
• Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly updates/reports, as required by the donor & HQ.
Financial Management
• Reviews, understands and coordinates completion of financial reports in accordance with SFL and donor requirements. Draws funds and pays expenses.
• Ensures that all program accounting practices meet and/or exceed SFL and donor standards.
• Provides work direction and accountability for financial reporting as needed.
• Provides final approval of hiring and/or termination of local staff as necessary per budget.
• Analyze operations to evaluate performance of the company and its staff in meeting program objectives and financial objectives, and to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
• Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding and implementing programs.
• Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
Business Development:
• Works with SFL HQ senior management to develop country specific/medium-term Country Strategy to guide and inform future program development initiatives and the decision making process in order to ensure a cohesive and appropriate approach to achieving SFL’s overall mission in Senegal.
• Promotes the work of SFL and provides SFL program briefings to donors (State Department, USAID, etc.) and other stakeholders as needed.
• Looks for and evaluates new partnership opportunities with other international and local non-profits.
• Contributes to the development of beneficial organizational relationships.
• Actively seeks new program opportunities in keeping with overall country strategy.
• Engages in background research and monitoring of country and regional developments.
• Monitors changes in the external operating environment, especially in regard to government and donor policy changes in Senegal.
• Ensures that no legally binding commitments or obligations are made in Senegal without the prior knowledge and consent of SFL HQ senior management.
Additional Essential Tasks:
• Conducts frequent field visits and makes site assessments to ensure project goals are progressing and to strengthen and encourage staff as needed.
• Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly updates/reports, as required by the donor & HQ.
• Apply best practices to all the goals and objectives of the proposal.
• Provides project planning documents and recommendations to HQ as requested.
Education and Experience Requirements:
• Bachelors degree in business, economics, international development, or related field, or professional experience in the same areas (Masters Degree or higher preferred).
• Experience with road construction, Civil Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting project progress as it relates to donor guidelines.
• Project and administrative experience in a cross cultural environment.
• 5+ years’ experience in project management.
• Prior experience in Africa is preferable.
Personal Skills & Abilities:
• Christian leadership skills; ability to maintain a positive work environment with professionalism.
• Strong teamwork and listening skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to research, analyze, coordinate, & plan – both strategically and innovatively.
• Ability to assess complex programs and situations rapidly and form accurate opinions.
• Ability to respond practically and operate successfully in difficult field conditions.
• Willingness to adopt the use of locally appropriate technologies.
• Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders as well as local government ministries and donor organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal English; aptitude for languages. Fluency in French is will be very helpful.
Dates:
• This is a multi-year program (3 years). A minimum of 12+ months of commitment to live and work in Senegal is required.
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation for this post is budgeted at $4,000.00 - $,4,500.00 USD. Benefits include: Housing, food allowance, medical insurance, generous PTO and R&R.
How to apply:
Send resume to: marguerite@shelter.org
1. Shelter and Population Settlement
2. Application of Microcredit
3. Agriculture Development and Food Security
4. Reconstruction of Physical and Market Infrastructure; i.e. farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, and food storage, etc.
SFL’s mission is to Demonstrate God’s love by enabling people affected by conflict and disaster to restore their lives and rebuild their communities. You can learn more about us at: www.shelter.org.
We are currently seeking a Country Director to lead a new project based in Senegal. This position will be responsible for overseeing a three-year program focused on the construction of tertiary road networks in Southern and Northern Senegal.
Summary
The position of Country Director serves as the primary contact to the Headquarters Office, interacting with other implementing partners, implementing units, and international donors. The Country Director is responsible for maintaining the safety and integrity of the overall mission, as well as ensuring that operational goals and objectives are achieved through appropriate and professional means. This position requires knowledge and skills that may be obtained from a graduate level education in business, international development, or related field. This position is responsible for providing financial oversight, analyzing operational budgets and assuring reporting is timely and accurate. The CD is responsible for donor and stakeholder engagement in Senegal, new business development, and providing work direction and Christian leadership to the local and expatriate staff. At least five years of experience in a similar role is required. Knowledge and experience with road construction, business development, water and sanitation is extremely valuable. Excellence in performing this position is inspired by a strong commitment to Jesus Christ.
Areas of Responsibility:
Program Operations Management
• Supervise the structure of the program and monitor the progress of the project objectives to ensure that it is completed on time and on budget and provide financial projections.
• Direct and coordinate activities of regional projects and support functions concerned with project implementation, business development, and spiritual impact.
• Direct, plan, and implement policies, objectives, and activities of the organization to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, and to increase productivity.
• Manage, train, and supervise all project staff members, applying all project-related security measures for their safety.
• Direct human resources activities, including the approval of local human resource plans and activities, the selection of in-country international or national staff, and establishment and organization of major departments.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships and communication for project coordination and implementation through local communities, regional coordination meetings, government programs, partner communications, INGO networks and donor agencies.
• Negotiate or approve contracts and agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal and state agencies, and other organizational entities.
• Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly updates/reports, as required by the donor & HQ.
Financial Management
• Reviews, understands and coordinates completion of financial reports in accordance with SFL and donor requirements. Draws funds and pays expenses.
• Ensures that all program accounting practices meet and/or exceed SFL and donor standards.
• Provides work direction and accountability for financial reporting as needed.
• Provides final approval of hiring and/or termination of local staff as necessary per budget.
• Analyze operations to evaluate performance of the company and its staff in meeting program objectives and financial objectives, and to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
• Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding and implementing programs.
• Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
Business Development:
• Works with SFL HQ senior management to develop country specific/medium-term Country Strategy to guide and inform future program development initiatives and the decision making process in order to ensure a cohesive and appropriate approach to achieving SFL’s overall mission in Senegal.
• Promotes the work of SFL and provides SFL program briefings to donors (State Department, USAID, etc.) and other stakeholders as needed.
• Looks for and evaluates new partnership opportunities with other international and local non-profits.
• Contributes to the development of beneficial organizational relationships.
• Actively seeks new program opportunities in keeping with overall country strategy.
• Engages in background research and monitoring of country and regional developments.
• Monitors changes in the external operating environment, especially in regard to government and donor policy changes in Senegal.
• Ensures that no legally binding commitments or obligations are made in Senegal without the prior knowledge and consent of SFL HQ senior management.
Additional Essential Tasks:
• Conducts frequent field visits and makes site assessments to ensure project goals are progressing and to strengthen and encourage staff as needed.
• Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly updates/reports, as required by the donor & HQ.
• Apply best practices to all the goals and objectives of the proposal.
• Provides project planning documents and recommendations to HQ as requested.
Education and Experience Requirements:
• Bachelors degree in business, economics, international development, or related field, or professional experience in the same areas (Masters Degree or higher preferred).
• Experience with road construction, Civil Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting project progress as it relates to donor guidelines.
• Project and administrative experience in a cross cultural environment.
• 5+ years’ experience in project management.
• Prior experience in Africa is preferable.
Personal Skills & Abilities:
• Christian leadership skills; ability to maintain a positive work environment with professionalism.
• Strong teamwork and listening skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to research, analyze, coordinate, & plan – both strategically and innovatively.
• Ability to assess complex programs and situations rapidly and form accurate opinions.
• Ability to respond practically and operate successfully in difficult field conditions.
• Willingness to adopt the use of locally appropriate technologies.
• Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders as well as local government ministries and donor organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal English; aptitude for languages. Fluency in French is will be very helpful.
Dates:
• This is a multi-year program (3 years). A minimum of 12+ months of commitment to live and work in Senegal is required.
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation for this post is budgeted at $4,000.00 - $,4,500.00 USD. Benefits include: Housing, food allowance, medical insurance, generous PTO and R&R.
How to apply:
Send resume to: marguerite@shelter.org
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