Country Director, Yemen

About the role

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is recruiting a Country Director for Yemen. The position sets the strategic direction of the country program, leads all programs, emergency response, financial and operational matters, and oversees humanitarian access and security measures. It also oversees external relationships and partnerships. The Country Director leads the Senior Management Team, which supervises about 120 IRC staff and more than 400 incentive workers, programming and operations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the country program, representing it before national and local authorities, donors, the EU, UN agencies, NGOs and networks, and coordinate with the MENAU region and neighbouring country programs.
• Define the strategic vision and direction of the country program, set up a quality assurance system, and support the submission of competitive proposals to donors.
• Take primary responsibility for emergency response readiness, planning, strategy and coordination, including crisis management structures and coordination with regional and global emergency teams.
• Manage safety and security, including security risks, evacuation and contingency plans, and keep them updated with the Regional Safety and Security Director.
• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including performance reviews, coaching of high-potential staff and staff well-being.
• Oversee financial management, budget monitoring for grant and discretionary funds, compliance with donor requirements, and safeguarding across operations.

Required profile

• At least 12 years of dynamic international work experience, including leadership at Country Director level of multi-site, multi-sectoral operations in a complex environment, with responsibility for emergency preparedness, crisis management and operational response; preference for MENAU experience.
• Experience in a leadership role in conflict settings and constrained humanitarian access.
• Graduate degree in a relevant field; fluency in English is required, Arabic is preferred.
• Prior work experience and understanding of the political complexity of Yemen and the MENAU region is preferred.
• National or returning national candidates are encouraged to apply; eligible candidates may receive a relocation package.

Required skills

• Strong leadership, communication and negotiation skills, and proven ability to build partnerships and diversify program resources.
• Budget and fiscal oversight, and extensive representation and fundraising experience with institutional and private donors.
• Experience managing security in a complex, rapidly changing context and delivering oversight of donor-funded projects.
• Ability to work in an insecure environment with restricted personal freedoms and to travel occasionally (about 5-10%) outside the region.