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Oxfam Canada Country Director, Cuba

Title: Country Director, Cuba           

Department: International Programs          

Status: 2 year term, unionized      

Location: Havana, Cuba       

Immediate Supervisor: Director, International Programs

Salary Group: $51,667-$72,000 USD net



Please submit applications to employment@oxfam.ca quoting competition number CD0513 in the subject line of email.


Oxfam Canada (OC) is an international development agency with a focus on women’s rights and gender equality, committed to building lasting solutions to global poverty and injustice by advocating for fundamental social change.  We work in relationships of solidarity and partnership to build the capacity of civil society in the Global South. As a founding member of Oxfam International, Oxfam Canada works in collaboration with other Oxfam affiliates to increase impact and influence locally, nationally and globally. Oxfam Canada is a member of Oxfam International, a global confederation of 17 Oxfam affiliates. In Cuba, Oxfam Canada provides managerial and programmatic leadership for the joint Oxfam program. 

Oxfam has been working in Cuba since 1993 with local partners to support equitable and sustainable development. Oxfam works with national organizations, co-operatives and municipal governments to promote active citizenship, economic justice, gender equality and disaster risk reduction. The current program portfolio comprises a diverse mix of projects and funding from multiple Oxfams and funding agencies. 


SCOPE OF POSITION: 

As the Oxfam International Country Director (CD), the successful candidate will be responsible for leading the implementation of the Oxfam country strategy in Cuba. Reporting to the OC Director of International Program in Ottawa and leading the Country Leadership Team in Havana, the CD will drive a coordinated approach to ensure that programmes are managed, monitored and implemented effectively – carrying out ongoing analysis of the political, social and economical situation in order to set the overall country direction. The CD will draw on outstanding relationship skills to build alliances and partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders including government officials, donor agencies and other NGOs. The CD will also represent Oxfam’s work in Cuba nationally, regionally and globally. As a force for positive change, the CD will work with the Country Leadership Team to identify and negotiate new funding sources in support of our work.


MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: (This is not an exhaustive list of duties to be performed) 


•    Provides strategic leadership and visionary thinking of Oxfam’s ‘one  program’ in country across all three of its mandates (campaigning and advocacy, development, humanitarian), and seeks links to regional and global programmes
•    Is accountable to the Americas Program Governance Group for programme delivery according to agreed country plans, and is line managed by Oxfam Canada for day to day operations, adherence to programme standards and performance management.  
•    Chairs the Country Leadership Team and holds Implementing Affiliates to account for delivery of their part of the country programme strategy and plan.  
•    Line manages Oxfam Canada’s program in-country to ensure quality programming. This includes:  
o    organization and oversight of implementation toward the achievement of program results; 
o    application of rigorous monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, in keeping with Oxfam standards and frameworks;  
o    preparation and execution of funding agreements as required;
o    preparation and submission of timely and quality program and financial reports in accordance with requirements.

•    Line manages Oxfam Canada’s operations in-country. This includes:
o    personnel management, including the hiring, supervising, evaluating, terminating, and disciplining of locally engaged staff; 
o    negotiation and execution of contracts for office space and equipment; 
o    preparation and oversight of  the in-country administrative budget, authorizing expenditures, monitoring performance to budget, and reporting on the in-country bank accounts;
o    ensuring that Oxfam Canada operates in-country in accordance with national law, that its country agreement is current and timely reports are  provided to the appropriate authorities.
•    Takes the lead in representing Oxfam and country program within the country, the region and globally. Builds and maintains relationships and develops networks that contribute to success.  
•    Ensures that Single Management Structure change activity is implemented successfully and contributes to the development of ideas on how that will evolve.  Drives initiatives that will realise the aims of SMS in programme impact and in cost effectiveness
•    Works with the Country Leadership Team (where applicable) to ensure that minimum standards are met in the country: for program, humanitarian program, program management, HR, finance, security, health and safety etc.
•    Co-ordinates with the Country Leadership Team (where applicable), to identify new funding sources and negotiate source funding to support program implementation, including establishing clear procedures to determine which implementing affiliate will bid on any given call for proposals
•    Ensures overall leadership of disaster preparedness, mitigation and management including humanitarian response activities as implemented through other affiliates.
•    Ensures adherence to the Oxfam brand and mitigation of risks to that brand through sign off of all country level externally published material
•    Ability to contribute to cross confederation thinking and working.


REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

•    Senior management experience in leading the development and ensuring the delivery of program strategy, in one or more locations. 
•    An appreciation of how all three mandates of Oxfam’s one programme approach are needed to deliver transformational programmes and an ability to connect all three.
•    A strategic analysis and understanding of the factors driving poverty, marginalisation, vulnerability and development in Cuba.
•    An active commitment to promoting gender equity and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of an organization’s work.
•    Proven analytical skills and ability to think strategically, including the ability to think and look ahead, beyond the country program context and constraints and to act within a regional and global framework.
•    Ability to manage the development of, and contribute to, the high level analysis of factors driving poverty, marginalization and vulnerability in country contexts, including the ability to ‘think politically’ by understanding motivations, pressures and challenges faced by colleagues, partners and other actors.
•    Experience in leading and motivating multi disciplinary, geographically remote teams; a high degree of self awareness and an understanding of how to drive and support excellent team performance and individual development.
•    Experience of managing complex change processes and relationships involving a wide range of both internal and external multi-cultural stakeholders across a variety of disciplines and geographical areas.
•    Experience in representing an organization with civil society and other partners, government agencies, private sector organizations, and donors at senior level: locally, regionally and globally, and  
•    Acts as a broker to successfully facilitate, convene and build effective relationships amongst these groups
•    An understanding of the ethics and codes of practice and International Humanitarian law, an awareness of Oxfam’s humanitarian approach and its values, and an ability and commitment to apply these in a humanitarian/emergency situation.  
•    High level financial management skills  to steer the operational budget
•    Experience of fundraising from diverse institutions, both local and international
•    Understanding and experience of managing security and risk within an INGO context.
•    Good level of IT literacy and an understanding of how new developments in technology can positively contribute to the aims of an INGO.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate, influence, and negotiate.
•    Ability to speak, read and write fluently in English and Spanish.   


Behavioural Competencies:

Outward Behaviours:  Strives to achieve results by setting goals for self and others that show a command of the operating environment and financial implications. Pre-empts problems and seizes opportunities and has the ability to tackle issues requiring significant levels of problem solving, planning and analysis – which will on occasions be in new skill areas required to deliver the country program. 
•    Analytical Thinking
•    Achieving Results
•    Initiative
•    Business Acumen


Leadership Behaviours:
  Improves performance and increases motivation through interacting collaborating and working effectively with others – often managing across boundaries - and holding others to account. Communicates appropriately, encourages develops and coaches others, providing feedback and adapting leadership style to bring about successful outcomes.  Able to influence and manage multiple stakeholders and act as a convenor and broker. Encourages staff to collaborate actively across functional teams.
•    Motivating,  Developing and Coaching Others
•    Interpersonal Awareness
•    Communications
•    Influencing and persuasion


Core Personal Behaviours:
 Builds and strengthens internal culture by displaying self-awareness and appropriate core personal qualities to set an example for others to follow. Is tolerant of and able to adapt to changes in business goals and maintains effectiveness and is able to grow new models in complex, ambiguous and changing environments.
•    Self Awareness
•    Adaptability
•    Visionary thinking 


In addition to a competitive salary which will be paid net (with Oxfam meeting the tax liabilities), the Country Director will receive a range of attractive benefits including pension, medical, other type of insurance and those associated with internationally relocated staff.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Oxfam Canada practices employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.


Please visit Oxfam.ca or http://www.oxfam.ca/get-involved/work-for-oxfam/work-opportunities for more details.