Country Director, Guatemala

Overview

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community.

Global Communities is seeking a Country Director to join the Global Programs team in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The Country Director will provide strategic oversight of all programming in country, which may include dedicated humanitarian, stabilization or development programming or combination of those types of interventions in the given context. The Country Director will oversee an integrated whole-of-country portfolio comprised of multiple projects and funders.  This position will serve as the main representative for Global Communities activities in country, including being accountable for program delivery, advocacy, fostering opportunities for new business development, and providing the strategic vision and leadership for the organization in country. This includes collaborating closely with the Global Communities’ Chiefs of Party/Project/Program Directors to ensure a portfolio-wide approach across humanitarian, stabilization and development programming to ensure that synergies are fostered and used to the advantage of supporting communities in need. The Country Director is based in country and reports to the relevant Sr. Director/Sr. Regional Director.

NOTE:

As an organization working to advance public health, Global Communities has an obligation to model best practices and to do all we can to protect each other, our partners and the communities where we work.  To ensure the continuity and effectiveness of our business operations, Global Communities is adopting a policy to safeguard the health of our visitors, employees, families, and the larger global community from COVID-19.  Effective January 3, 2022, all U.S.-based Global Communities employees are required to provide proof of having received full dosage of COVID-19 vaccine that is FDA approved, approved for emergency use authorization, or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with Global Communities, as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

Responsibility Area: Management, Leadership, Representation, and Coordination

• Provide vision and strategic leadership of Global Communities in country, including ensuring that country presence and activities are guided by a strategic plan, which incorporates humanitarian, stabilization and development goals as appropriate.

• Represent Global Communities externally to government officials, UN agencies, donors, international organizations and CSOs.

• Provide management, support and oversight of Project Director(s)/Chief(s) of Party of humanitarian, stabilization and development projects ensuring cross departmental/cross programmatic coordination and enabling collaboration.

• Build and sustain positive relationships with all relevant stakeholders in country (i.e., donors, UN, NGOs, host country government, and others); ensure effective reporting and communications about programmatic impact.

• Ensure an organizational culture and a work environment in which staff fully understand and apply ethical and safeguarding standards in line with Global Communities’ Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, and Safeguarding Framework.

• Develop and lead fit for purpose leadership groups (e.g., senior management team, extended senior management team, incident management team) with clear membership, TORs and frequency of meeting.

• Conduct performance appraisals for direct reports, ensure timely and regular feedback and provide mentoring on individual performance.

• Enable a culture of coaching, mentoring and training of staff and partner staff to ensure learning and adapting.

• Accountable for managing operational and programmatic risk across the country portfolio and ensuring compliance with donor and organizational policies.

• Ensure all program team members understand and carry out their duties in accordance with GC’s values.

Responsibility Area: Program Delivery and Development

• Provide overall leadership and support for management of programs, ensuring project activities are implemented in line with donor policies and procedures, on time, to scope, and on budget.
• Develop and oversee implementation of a country portfolio growth strategy for Global Communities’ work in country in coordination/consultation with relevant internal and external stakeholders, Headquarters and other Global Communities regional actors, in support of the organization’s Mission.
• Provide strategic leadership of new business development activities in collaboration with Business Development staff.
• Ensure that program specific risks are managed throughout the project life cycle.

Responsibility Area: Operations Support Services (Finance and Administration, Procurement and Supply Chain, Safety and Security and Human Resources Management)

• Accountable for updating all necessary country manuals (policies and procedures), ensuring compliance with local law, donor requirements, and organizational policy and overseeing overall program and operations compliance.
• Ensure that the Global Communities operates within the laws of the country and complies with Global Communities policies and procedures.
• Ensure sound financial management of the program including regular and timely financial reporting against objectives and budgets.
• Ensure compliant procurement action and management of goods and supplies.
• Ensure staff safety, security and access management plans are maintained, that staff are trained and adhere to safety and security policies and rules.
• Provide leadership and decision-making on staff safety and security in consultation with lead access and safety staff in country and at Global Communities headquarters.

Responsibility Area: Communications, Reporting and Knowledge Management:

• Accountable for timely delivery of all agreement deliverables.
• Ensure delivery of monthly reporting to HQ.
• Provide the strategic direction for production of quality, consolidated, donor-facing reports and internal lessons learned.
• Ensure delivery of core Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities including, but not limited to baseline, endline, evaluation, post distribution monitoring, incorporation of third-party monitoring feedback and lessons learned.

POSITION SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity and innovation.
• Visit project locations and partner activities for appropriate oversight and representation.
• Direct supervision of in-country department leadership.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to work in a fast paced, demanding environment, often working under pressure in insecure environments.
• Management in complex environments skills.
• Ability to process information and synthesize for key decision- makers.
• Knowledge of partnership management best practices, including working with local NGOs, CSOs or national response mechanisms.
• Strong cross cultural communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and representational skills.
• Knowledge of humanitarian response coordination architecture, mechanisms and standards.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of 11 years of related work experience or a minimum of 15 years of related work experience.

• At least 8 years of experience working in complex operating environments.

• At least 6 years of experience in a senior leadership capacity in an international post.

• Demonstrated experience delivering or overseeing humanitarian assistance, stabilization or early recovery programming.

• Demonstrated experience managing large teams and utilizing coaching and mentorship techniques preferred.

• Demonstrated experience managing partnerships or locally led projects (through small and large grants), including overseeing capacity assessments, capacity development plans and co-creation with local partners.

• Competent understanding of US government rules and regulations and prior experience working with USAID funding required.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including ability to effectively communicate across cultures and demonstrated ability to write required documents in a clear, concise, well-organized manner.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills in diverse settings, including with donors, partners, direct reports, supervisor and colleagues.

• Prior experience in Latin America required; prior experience in Central America and Guatemala preferred.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-sector, multi-donor portfolios; experience with USAID/BHA funding preferred.

• Technical experience in one or more of the following sectors/areas: WASH, food security and nutrition, protection, shelter/NFI, cash, civil society and governance preferred.

• Working proficiency in English and Spanish required.

• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities.

The salary for this position is between $142,008- 213,063. Salary is based on several factors including qualifications, experiene, and internal equity.

Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented.  The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct.

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.