Head of Mission

Head of Mission

COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale

Nairobi or Somalia

Purpose of the role

The Head of Mission is responsible for the management of the foreign office in its different aspects: mission development, staff management and training, budget sustainability, security, compliance withCOOPI and donor procedures. S/he represents COOPI in relations with all local and international realities. Collaborates with the Regional Coordination or directly with headquarters in the definition of the country strategy and intervention priorities. Guarantees the correct implementation of projects.

Main Responsibilities

REPRESENTATION

• Represents COOPI in the country of competence, in institutional relations with the different Bodies, Partners, local and international Organisations;
• Manages relations with major institutional donors for both ongoing and potential projects;
• Ensures the organisation's participation in local security meetings;
• It is responsible for the image of the organisation in the country.

DEVELOPMENT

• Leads the definition and implementation of the Country Strategy, in coordination with Regional Coordination and, in agreement with the country levels involved identifying priorities for action and consolidating opportunities for the organisation's involvement in the country;
• Identifies programming priorities based on context analysis, needs assessments, donor trends, and COOPI’s areas of expertise, added value and geographical presence;
• Monitors donor strategies and funding opportunities and fosters strong relationships with institutional donors;
• Lead the development of new project proposals.

MANAGEMENT

Program management

• Supervises the drafting, writing and preparation of the documentation necessary for the submission of new projects, including budgets, reporting to the Regional Coordination and support offices at headquarters
• Supervises the activities carried out by project managers, ensuring proper implementation in compliance with contractual constraints and donor procedures and in line with COOPI management procedures and standards;
• S/he is responsible for the good quality of project reports and the preparation of monitoring documentation required by headquarters;
• Ensures the transmission of all official and administrative project documentation to headquarters.

Foreign office management

• S/he is responsible for the different aspects related to the management of the local office: local regulations, security plans, organisation chart, logistics;
• Ensures compliance with the legal and administrative rules of the host country;
• Has power of attorney for legal signature on documents and accounts.

Personnel management

• S/he is responsible for the management of the country's national personnel, in compliance with the laws of the country;
• Participates on request in the selection of expatriate staff according to the organisation's procedures;
• Participates in information, training and evaluation activities for national and staff;
• Coordinates and supervises the management of expatriate staff employed in the country.

Security management

• S/he is responsible for the security of expatriate and national personnel present in the country, for the proper information, training, implementation and compliance with security procedures.

Economic and financial management

• S/he is co-responsible -with the Regional Coordination- for the budget, sustainability and economic performance of the country.

Communication management and fund raising

• Collaborates with the Institutional Communication and Fundraising areas, at headquarters, for visibility, communication, awareness-raising and fundraising activities (campaigns, distance support) for the country of competence.

Requirements

Essentials

• University degree in relevant subjects ((e.g. Development Studies, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences, or related areas);
• At least 5 years of proven and successful experience in similar roles in humanitarian aid and international development;
• Strong experience in program management, including proposal development, donor reporting, and strategic planning;
• Demonstrated skills in effective communication (oral and written), negotiation, managing multiple tasks simultaneously and organisation;
• Experience in dealing with governmental/local authorities, international organisations (IOs) and NGOs;
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful and pressurised environments;
• Experience of working in conflict-prone contexts;
• Proven leadership and team management skill, with the ability to support, motivate and supervise multicultural teams;
• Experience in financial oversight and budget management, including cost control and financial reporting;
• Fluent knowledge of the English language;
• Computer skills.

Desired

• Experience in logistics, procurement and security;
• Familiarity with COOPI’s sectors of intervention: Food Security, WASH, Livelihoods, Emergency Response;
• Experience in MEAL systems and knowledge of accountability frameworks;
• Previous working experience in Somalia or the Horn of Africa (plus).

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