Country Director at Trócaire: 24th November 2020

Trócaire works in partnership with local and church organisations, supporting communities in over 17 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to bring about lasting change. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where: people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; people have control over their own lives; and those in power act for the common good.

Trócaire has been working Rwanda since 1994. Today Trócaire works in 7 of the 30 districts with 17 local partner organisations. Over the past 26 years, working through local partners, the country programme has invested in conflict transformation, deepening citizen participation and accountable governance, value-chain and microfinance development. Trócaire in Rwanda has been delivering an integrated programme focusing on 3 main programme pillars – Resource Rights which builds on our previous livelihoods work, Women’s Empowerment and preparing and responding to emergencies.

Reporting to the Head of Region, this is a Fixed Term contract of three years and is based in Kigali with frequent travel to the programme locations. The candidate will manage directly three members of senior management team and the administrative line management of the Regional IT Officer who functionally reports to the IT Operations Manager in Head Office. Overall, the country team is approximately 24 staff.

The Country Director is responsible for strategic development and effective management of Trócaire’s country programme, in line with Trócaire’s organisational and country specific strategies, policies and procedures.

Safeguarding Programme Participants Policy: Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding Programme Participants from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Provide vision and direction for the country programme based on the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) and in line with Trócaire’s global Strategic Plan.
• Strong leadership on regulatory compliance and risk management in consultation with the Finance and Administration Manager, Programme Manager, Head of region, Head of Internal Audit and legal advisor as appropriate
• Create and maintain a shared vision among staff of Trócaire’s country and organisational objectives and their role in achieving these.
• Review CSP annually against key country and organisational level objectives, indicators and targets; report annually on programme, non-programme and financial management to the organisation and donors keeping the Head of Region informed.
• Input into the wider organisational strategy through strategic planning and monitoring processes including quarterly and annual reviews of the Implementation Plan of the Strategic Framework.
• Lead localisation discussion and advocacy discussions in consultation with other stakeholders.
• Model the behaviours and values expected of Trócaire staff and expressed in our Strategic Framework.

2. Programme Development and Management

• Provide leadership and direction in the strategic development and implementation of programmes at country level, in line with Trócaire’s country and strategic objectives, strategies and policies.
• Ensure that programme learning is captured and feeds into programme development and sharing across programmes, countries and globally.
• Ensure that organisational approaches to partnership, gender equality, vulnerability and targeting, accountability and protection are effectively incorporated across development programmes including follow up on complaints in line with Trócaire’s policies.
• Ensure that programme staff work together to build synergies between programme areas, where this adds to programme impact.
• Ensure that internal and external reporting is carried out in a timely manner, to a high standard and in line with agreed objectives and targets (including annual Programme Reviews and Results Monitoring Frameworks).
• Maintain direct communication with managers in HQ (e.g. Head of Programmes, Head of Strategic Impact Unit, Global Partnerships and Funding Manager), and ensure that the country team is working effectively with HQ-based teams on: programme quality and learning; research, policy & advocacy; and management of institutional funding.
• Provide leadership and foster collaboration with other actors (NGOs, INGOs, networks, host government etc.) in order increase programme quality and maximise impact.
• Compile an annual narrative and financial report at country level.

3. Humanitarian Programme Management

• Provide leadership and direction to ensure implementation of humanitarian strategy at country level.
• Ensure fulfilment of all internal policies, procedures and systems and adherence to international standards and the Grand Bargain Commitments (incl. Code of Conduct, LEGS, SPHERE, CHS and Localisation of Aid etc.).
• Mobilise resources to respond to humanitarian emergencies when they occur in collaboration with other in-country stakeholders and Head Office.
• Jointly lead on the first response phase of mid to large scale emergencies with the Head of Humanitarian Programmes.
• Lead on in-country networking, coordination and representation with government, donors, NGOs, INGOs (including Caritas Internationalis Members who are locally present), networks, relevant humanitarian fora and the Catholic Church/Caritas.
• Lead on advocacy at a country level and on defining advocacy messages for use internationally.
• Facilitate fundraising and communications work on an emergency response.
• Revise and update the Emergency response and preparedness plan and ensure all staff and teams are familiarised with the protocols.

4. Human Resource Management

• Ensure that Trócaire attracts and retains high calibre staff by providing: a sense of clear purpose to all staff, (ensuring staff understand Trócaire’s objectives and their roles in achieving those objectives), role clarity, development opportunities and competitive packages, in line with Trócaire policy and in coordination with Human Resources (HR) Unit in Ireland.
• Ensure that the structure of the country team is clearly defined, is in keeping with the CSP and is consistent with organisational policy.
• Line manage the senior management team (Programme Manager, Finance and Administration Manager, Business Development Manager) and other staff as necessary.
• Ensure effective implementation of HR policies and procedures at country level, in line with Trócaire’s HR Policies, Procedures and Guidelines in coordination with HR and with all local labour laws.
• Ensure consistent implementation of strong performance management systems throughout the country team, in line with organisational policy.
• Foster a culture and efficient and effective practices of team-working in pursuit of greater programme impact and organisational effectiveness.
• Ensure that there are regular staff forums and meetings for discussion and coordination of strategic, operational and administrative initiatives, as well as for taking forward Trócaire’s internal initiatives on, gender equality etc.
• Maintain direct contact with the HR Unit in HQ.

5. Financial and Admin Management

• Take responsibility for overall financial management in the country and ensure that there is optimal use and good stewardship of financial resources, managed in a transparent and accountable manner in line with Trócaire’s systems and procedures;
• Ensure that budgets are prepared, reviewed and monitored regularly, and that resources are strategically allocated as appropriate on the basis of need or programme quality;
• Ensure that internal and donor financial reports are submitted in a timely manner and that they are of a high standard.
• Ensure that partner organisations are assessed in relation to financial management and governance standards and are supported to address capacity weaknesses, in keeping with the Partnership Policy and Partner Finance and Governance Policy and Guidelines;
• Maintain direct links with the Finance Team in HQ in coordination with the Country Finance and Admin Manager.
• Take responsibility for ensuring all staff are familiar with and comply with institutional processes and systems, e.g. Management of Information Systems, use of IT systems etc.
• Maintain direct links with the IT Operations team on programme-related MIS issues.

6. Audit and Corporate Governance compliance

• Ensure that all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc., are complied with;
• Take responsibility for ensuring that internal and external audits are fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner, in line with Trócaire policy and back donor and host government requirements.
• Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of Trócaire’s operations and take appropriate actions where necessary.
• Ensure full compliance with Trócaire’s fraud policy and related back donor or host government requirements;
• Maintain direct links with the Head of Internal Audit and Head of Standard and Compliance, in coordination with the Country Finance and Admin Manager.

7. Institutional Funding

• Lead the development and ensure implementation and regular review of a country strategy on Institutional Funding.
• Ensure that the country team is accessing and managing Institutional Funding in accordance with Trócaire’s strategic objectives, policies and procedures.
• Ensure full compliance with donor requirements in relation to Institutional Funding secured for the country programme.
• Ensure optimal cost recovery, based on sound systems or budgeting, monitoring and compliance reporting.
• Take overall responsibility for managing risks related to institutional funding including working in consortia and fund managers.
• Network actively and play a lead role in management level dialogue with donors and other I/NGOs on accessing and managing institutional funding.
• Maintain direct links to the Head of Global Partnerships and Funding as appropriate, keeping the Head of Region informed of discussions.

8. Security Management and safeguarding

• Take full responsibility for the management of safety and security of staff, goods and assets at country level.
• Develop and manage in-country security management plans, contingency plans and procedures, ensuring that these are thoroughly followed, revised and updated on an annual basis at a minimum.
• Ensure all staff fulfil Trócaire’s security training requirements and undergo refresher trainings.
• Maintain direct links to the Global Security Advisor as appropriate, keeping the line manager informed of discussions.
• Follow up with the Global Safeguarding Advisor on safeguarding action plans and annual safeguarding audit.

9. Representation, Communications and Advocacy:

• • Represent Trócaire with the host government, national NGO and INGO networks, the Catholic Church and its agencies, donors and other key strategic stakeholders such as Irish Embassies in the Region.
  • Increase awareness of Trócaire’s work with Trócaire’s supporters and key stakeholders in Ireland, through the provision of communications material, facilitating internal and external visitors and carrying out media interviews upon request by the Communications Unit in HQ.
  • Lead the country team in contributing to the development and implementation of core communications, fundraising, development education and advocacy initiatives at global level.
  • Play an active role in defining and delivering on a country-specific advocacy agenda.
  • Maintain direct links to key Managers in the Ireland Division, including Communications, Fundraising and Marketing, Outreach (Development Education, Campaigns, Church) and Policy & Advocacy, keeping the Head of Region informed of discussions.
  • Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Region.