Country Director at Pathfinder International

Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Director

Location: Nigeria

Summary

• Provides strategic leadership and direction of Pathfinder to achieve the organizational vision, mission and objectives in the assigned country.
• Oversees the programmatic and operational management.
• Represents Pathfinder with government, local and international organizations in the assigned country.
• Leads in developing, overseeing implementation, reviewing and monitoring of the country program strategy.
• Develops new programming initiatives, new partnerships and maintains existing partnerships while actively leading key phases of ongoing programs including phase out.
• Ensures cross learning and fertilization of knowledge across the organization in all areas of programming, national, regional and international policies and development issues.
• Promotes fundraising initiatives to ensure effective operations of the country's programs and its financial and grant management as well as the programs’ sustainability.
• Manages the financial and human resources of the assigned country offices.

Key Job Competencies

• Strategy Development and Implementation: Leads in the development and implementation of programs and services that are in line with the overall strategic plan of Pathfinder and the context in the country/region. Facilitates the alignment of Pathfinder area programs to strategic priorities and accountability mechanisms provided in Pathfinder programming framework. Leads, directs and mentors the country staff in line with the organizational strategy.
• Brand Ambassador: Represents Pathfinder in the assigned country and manages host country relations and Pathfinder interests in dealing with government, international and local organizations, networks and media in the program areas. Develops and strengthens relationships with local organizations and networks and establishes national and regional strategic relations and alliances with partners working in common cause with Pathfinder objectives. Promotes Pathfinder’s organizational identity and capacity to all stakeholders and partners in the assigned country and ensures Pathfinder remains relevant to the changing needs of key stakeholders in the country.
• Program Development, Management, and Evaluation: Leads in the development of the country’s Pathfinder programs. Oversees and coordinates the Pathfinder portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building and developing local capacity. Leads the development, implementation and monitoring of research and advocacy plan on issues of relevance in the country aligned with Pathfinder’s global programmatic and policy priorities. Provides continuous monitoring and support to offices and existing projects, coordinates program reviews, evaluations, and follow up implementation of evaluation findings in close collaboration with MEL and Chief Programs and Impact Officer. Coordinates the production of timely quality program reports in line with Pathfinder and donor requirements. 
• Funding and Grants Management: Develops networks and partnerships with national/regional/international institutions in assigned country and spearheads donor collaboration, fund raising and project development within the country. Undertakes diversified local and international fundraising initiatives to strengthen program funding and sustainability. Coordinates the production of good quality funding proposals and responds to calls for proposals. Facilitates donor visits, donor meetings, round table discussions and evaluations. Ensures that effective grant management systems are in place and are consistent with Pathfinder’s fund seeking and management policy. 
• Financial Management and Internal Audit:  Provides oversight to all finance and administrative services for the country office. Ensures effective implementation and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements. Oversees the development and implementation of annual country budgets. Ensures that adequate internal control mechanisms and budget monitoring and review mechanisms are in place. Oversees annual and project-specific audit processes. Ensures the preparation, accuracy and timely submission of financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements and ensures compliance with all aspects of Pathfinder policies and donor funding. Checks and verifies all inventories and promotes efficient management of organizational assets.
• Human Resources Management and Organizational Development: Provides leadership support to country staff and promotes best practices in human resources management. Coordinates regular reviews and updates of HR policies and procedures and ensures compliance with HR management practices and the national labor laws. Oversees adequate implementation of the performance management system including performance objectives and planning, review, appraisal and staff development. Oversees and monitors efficiency and fairness of recruitment processes. Provides coaching and counselling advice to staff when necessary and leads initiatives to develop staff capacity. Organizes regular meetings to exchange information, coordinate projects, events and activities, and for learning. 
• Information, Communication and Learning: Ensures that Pathfinder programs are maintaining a coordinated and agreed upon information exchange both internally and in its dealing with external parties. Ensures that all communication infrastructures are set up and smooth information flow is maintained. Ensures that experiences and best practices are documented and shared across the organization.
• Project Management and Participation: Leads, manages or participates on cross-functional project teams.

Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• Country Specific Public Health System: Deep knowledge of the assigned country's public health system.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Services: Deep knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices and services of programs, including program strategies and indicators, and the latest professional developments in SRHR. Proven skills in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development and intervention activities, preferably with USAID, WHO, or other donor organizations working in the health sector.
• Program Operations and Development: Deep knowledge of implementing and managing similar program operations in the developing world including advocacy
• Proposal Development: Mastery of skills in proposal development from concept to full proposal, resource mobilization, and proven ability to raise substantial research/development funds.
• Compliance: Proven ability to manage compliance to diverse donors.
• Leadership: Mastery of skills as a leader in health and health service delivery strengthening in developing countries and proven ability as a senior manager, including experience in developing and implementing strategic plans
• Business Process Design and Improvement: Proven ability to facilitate groups to identify business process issues and improvement objectives; ability to operationalize process improvements.
• Management and Supervision: Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop direct reports within a matrix culture.
• Program and Project Planning and Management: Deep skills in program and project management and planning to fulfill performance objectives, including the timely implementation and reporting of donor-funded program activities.
• Operations and Financial Management: Deep knowledge of operations and financial management in developing countries.
• Presentation Skills: Proven ability to make presentations on results and products to small and large groups.  
• Community Relations: Mastery of skills in facilitating working relationships between partners, government officials, and communities. 
• Change Leadership: Ability to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in managing change across a broad group of stakeholders in an inclusive manner.

Minimally Required Organizational Competencies:

• Languages: Proven writing and speaking skills using local languages and English language
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Proven ability to influence others through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills.
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Demonstrated commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices.
• Software Applications: Advanced knowledge of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to thrive in a matrix organization, ability to be detailed-oriented, and ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-pace environment.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrixed organization.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality on work-related matters.

Minimally Required Education, Training and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Business, Marketing, Social Science or related discipline.
• Prefer: Master's Degree
• 10 years' experience in managing global business processes and relationships in large, international organizations; proven experience in proposal development from concept note to full proposal 
• 10 years' experience in developing and implementing innovative strategies of resource mobilization with a proven record in raising substantial research/development funds, and a proven record in research and advocacy
• 5 years' experience managing and developing direct reports
• 5 years' international non-profit experience
• 5 years' experience in program management in the INGO sector 
• Prefer: Experience with USAID-funded projects 
• Prefer: Experience managing large, complex family planning projects while living in developing countries

Other Information:

• Travel required (at least 50%)
• Uses cellular and desk phone; laptop or desktop computer.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online