Burundi: Country Director – Burundi

Country Context

A new Oxfam Country Strategy was finalized in 2015 and a Country Operating Model in 2016. A transition process has been completed to amalgamate all existing Oxfam operations in-country under one roof. A new operating model has been introduced for Vision 2020 and was rolled out and embedded in Burundi. A key component of this is the establishment of an Executing Affiliate (EA) to operationalize the Oxfam programme in Burundi, under the oversight of the Oxfam International Country Director. Oxfam Novib Is the legally registered entity in the country, it employs in-country staff, is the asset holder, primary contract signatory with in-country donors and suppliers, overseeing all the programmes and support functions in the Country, including finances, HR, Logistics, security, Humanitarian- and development programmes and provides back-office support and IT systems, and represents the Oxfam Confederation in country. Complementing the work of the Executing Affiliate are Partner Affiliates that provide funding (restricted and unrestricted), thematic expertise and influencing capacity. For Burundi, these are Oxfam Germany and Oxfam Solidarity.

Team Purpose

Reporting to the Horn, East and Central Africa Regional Director, you will lead the Burundi Country Leadership Team and represent and manage Oxfam in Burundi, influence donors and NGO colleagues and represent the organisation in high-level meetings and forums and lead the Country Leadership Team providing leadership to implement a strategy for the Country.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Provides strategic leadership in the revision and development of the next Oxfam Burundi country strategy, and implementation of the Country Map Review propositions for Oxfam Burundi, in consultation with the Horn, East and Central Regional Director
• Provide strategic leadership and management of all development, and humanitarian programming to maximise our influence and impact in Burundi and on issues concerning Burundi, beyond national borders.
• Accountable to the Horn East and Central Africa (HECA) Regional Director for the delivery, effective management and monitoring, evaluation and learning of the programme against the annual budget and plan. Accountable to the Country Governance Group (CGG) for strategic oversight, programme accountability and affiliation process where appropriate.
• Ensures overall leadership of disaster preparedness, mitigation and management including humanitarian response activities for Category 1 / 2 / 3 emergencies.
• Manages the Country Leadership Team and Line manages the work in the country: staff, budget, funding and program.
• To ensure that the HR Management in the Country is in line with Oxfam Human Resource Policies and procedures including but not limited to the Code of Conduct, Safeguarding, Security and Health and Safety.
• Creates and supports an environment which results in strong partnerships, government relations, knowledge sharing and innovation.
• Takes the lead in representing Oxfam and the country programme nationally and globally. Builds influential relationships and is committed to developing networks for impactful change.
• Works with the Country Governance Group to ensure that the appropriate strategy is created to seek out and maintain new funding sources to support program implementation. Accountable for all donor relations and contract management in-country.
• Working closely with other affiliates with a strong interest in the country to develop and deliver high-quality programmes.
• Play an active role in drawing on learning from across Oxfam and external sources and sharing evidenced-based learning with others.
• Accesses and uses shared services appropriately and responsibly where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with the INGOs operating requirements as per the Burundi laws and guidelines with respect to Oxfam’s Global mandate and values.

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Management and Leadership

• Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams
• Significant senior leadership and management experience in the development and delivery of programs, external relations and humanitarian strategy, with and through partners or directly, in one or more challenging locations.
• 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.
• A high degree of self-awareness and an understanding of how to drive and support excellent team performance and individual development in line with Oxfam’s values and policies.
• Demonstrable understanding of both long-term development, resilience and humanitarian contexts and application of humanitarian principles.

Representation and Communication

• Proven track record of success in representing an organization with partners, government agencies, private sector organizations, media and donors at the senior level: nationally and globally.
• Proven track record of strong relationship building with government leaders and agencies.
• Proven track record of success in influencing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate, influence and negotiate.

Finance and Funding

• Ability to maximise fundraising from diverse institutions, both local and international.
• High level financial and asset management skills to steer the operational budget across several locations.

Risk

• Experience of managing security, risk and legal compliance within an INGO context
• Proven track record of making sound judgements in uncertain and pressurised situations.

Strategic Analytics

• Ability to manage the development of, and contribute to, the high-level analysis of factors driving poverty, marginalization and vulnerability in developing country contexts. The ability to ‘think politically’ understanding motivations, pressures, power dynamics and challenges faced by colleagues, partners, decision-makers and other actors; and the ability to generate effective strategies to influence them.
• Proven analytical skills, with the ability to be:
  • Able to take and manage calculated risks based on evidence-based assumptions.
  • Able to think strategically, to maximise adaptability and agility
  • encourage forward-thinking, new ideas and learning from experience beyond the country program context while acting within a global framework
• Good level of IT literacy and an understanding of how new developments in technology can positively contribute to the aims of an INGO

Values

• Committed to a rights-based approach including an active commitment to putting women’s rights at the heart of all we do as well as the rights of other marginalized people in all aspects of an organization’s work.

Travel

• Willingness to travel to field locations

Languages

• Proficiency in French and English

To apply for this role, kindly send through a Microsoft Word version of your CV and a cover letter detailing why you are suited to this role. Please mark it for the attention of Tim Wingrove, email address: applications@redseasearch.com. Please subject your email with the following reference: OI_CD_BUR***.***

Please note that the interview dates for this role will be confirmed with you should your application be successful.