Country Director

The International Solidarity Foundation (ISF) is a Finnish development organization, founded in 1970. ISF development programme 2022-25 aims to prevent harmful practices and violence against women and girls (VAWG) and improve women’s livelihood resilience in Kenya, Somaliland, and the Somali region in Ethiopia.

ISF has eight staff members in Kenya, with six of them working directly under the Country Director. Some of the staff members work in Nairobi, while others are based in Kisii.

Female applicants are encouraged to apply.

Job Purpose

Country Director oversees the implementation of ISF country programmes at represents ISF at the country level.

Core Functions:

• Represent ISF at the country level, developing strategic relations in line with ISF’s programme goal and strategic objectives, and act as a spokesperson for the country operation.
  

• Lead programme planning, development, monitoring and reporting at the country level.
  

• Lead ISF’s partnerships at the country level, including the selection of partners, relationship management, and project oversight and support functions.
  

• Lead institutional fund-raising efforts at the country level, incl. developing donor relations, identifying funding opportunities, and coordinating funding submissions locally.
  

The International Solidarity Foundation (ISF) is a Finnish development organization, founded in 1970. ISF development programme 2022-25 aims to prevent harmful practices and violence against women and girls (VAWG) and improve women’s livelihood resilience in Kenya, Somaliland, and the Somali region in Ethiopia.

ISF has eight staff members in Kenya, with six of them working directly under the Country Director. Some of the staff members work in Nairobi, while others are based in Kisii.

Female applicants are encouraged to apply.

Job Purpose

Country Director oversees the implementation of ISF country programmes at represents ISF at the country level.

Core Functions:

• Represent ISF at the country level, developing strategic relations in line with ISF’s programme goal and strategic objectives, and act as a spokesperson for the country operation.
  

• Lead programme planning, development, monitoring and reporting at the country level.
  

• Lead ISF’s partnerships at the country level, including the selection of partners, relationship management, and project oversight and support functions.
  

• Lead institutional fund-raising efforts at the country level, incl. developing donor relations, identifying funding opportunities, and coordinating funding submissions locally.
  

Represent ISF in the country of operation:

• Represent ISF and ensure that it is allowed to operate in the country, incl. registration and obtaining other necessary permits.
  

• Lead the Country Team and act as a supervisor to team members, including staff development and performance management.
  

• Develop relations with key stakeholders to support ISF programme implementation, institutional fund raising and cooperation with local authorities.
  

• Represent ISF in relevant networks, forums and interactions with local authorities, civil society actors and other key stakeholders.
  

• Act as a spokesperson for the country operation.
  

• Coordinate ISF communications and private sector fundraising requirements in the field.
  

• Be responsible for the security and safety of ISF staff in the country of operation as per ISF Security Policy.
  

• Lead programme planning at the country level, in line with ISF strategy and programme priorities, incl. the preparation of country programmes, annual plans and annual budgets.
  

• Monitor and report on programme implementation at the country level and changes in the operating environment, incl. preparation of narrative and financial reports.
  

• Oversee risk management at the county level, including maintaining risk management plans.
  

• Be responsible for financial management of the country operation, including budgeting,
  

  financial monitoring and reporting.
  

• Ensure compliance with relevant national legislation and ISF rules, regulations and policies.
  

• Ensure that adequate financial controls are in place and implemented.
  

• Oversee cash management, including preparation of installment requests and administration of bank accounts, operational advances, petty cash and other payments.
  

• Support programme and project evaluations and ensure an adequate communication and follow-up on M&E findings.
  
• Promote practices that encourage learning and innovation in the country programme, including sharing of best practices and lessons learned between partners and across countries.
  
• Lead capacity building efforts at the country level, incl. identification of training needs and opportunities for ISF staff and partners.
  

• Lead the selection of implementing partners and be responsible for partnership management.
  
• Oversee project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including the preparation of project agreements, plans, budgets, as well as narrative and financial reports.
  
• Support capacity building and networking of partners.
  

• Develop relations with key institutional donors at the county level.
  
• Identify funding opportunities within country of operation.
  
• Develop local consortiums and concepts for institutional fund raising.
  
• Coordinate funding submissions locally with implementing partners and other members of
  funding consortiums.

Required Skills and Experience

• Appropriate Master’s Degree.
  

• At least 5 years managerial experience in international organizations
  

• At least 10 years’ experience in the development/humanitarian sector related to programme and/or project management (planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting)
  

• Experience and passion in the promotion of women’s rights
  

• Experience and a good track record in institutional fund raising
  

• Good networking skills
  

• Knowledge of relevant national and local policies, actors and networks in the country of employment
  

• Ability to facilitate and promote discussion, learning, and innovation
  

• Ability to work independently and work well in a team
  

• Good planning and organizational skills
  

• Good skills in Office software packages, especially Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.)
  

• Excellent written and oral English skills
  

• Good knowledge of other relevant languages in the country of employment.
  
• Ability to travel regularly inside the country of employment and within East Africa