Country Manager

Palestine

Organization: We Effect
Location: Palestine
Grade: Senior level - Management
Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Economics
- Agriculture and Forestry
Closing Date: Closed

Country Manager, Palestine

We Effect is a development organisation founded by the Swedish cooperative movement in 1958 to support the development of democratic organisations and societies. In our international development cooperation programmes, we are applying a human rights-based approach supporting people living in poverty to secure their rights.

We Effect works in around 20 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa through our regional offices in partnership with local CSO’s, farmer organisations, cooperative federations and other democratic organisations. For more information, see www.weeffect.org

We Effect is now recruiting a Country Manager to our Country Office in Palestine, which is part of our Asia Region. The Regional office for Asia is located in We Effect’s Head office in Stockholm, Sweden.

The duty station for this position is in Ramallah at the We Effect Country Office Palestine. As Country Director you report to the Regional Director at the Regional Office in Stockholm.

The position is open for any nationality with a valid work permit in Palestine. The employment contract is for two years (with the possibility of prolongation) and begins with a 6-months probationary period. The contract is planned to start by June 2023.

The position includes frequent field trips and other travels outside of Palestine.

About We Effect in Asia

We Effect Asia consists of three countries with programs in Palestine, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The Regional office for Asia is placed in Stockholm. The Palestine Country Office employs seven (7) staff and runs a country program and projects within the thematic fields of the right to food, cooperative development and environmental justice. The programs are implemented by nine local partner organizations. The 2023 budget is appr 2,2 MUSD.

About the role

As Country Director you will be responsible for ensuring that We Effect delivers the highest possible quality in its operations in Palestine and to ensure that We Effect and its partner organizations comply to grant agreements, We Effect policies, strategies and quality requirements and to improve cost efficiency.

The position requires extremely good knowledge of contextual challenges, skills in terms of advocacy and representation/relations with partner organizations and other stakeholders, including donors. You are not only expected to lead the strategic work but also be willing to support staff in operational issues.

The Country Director is responsible for safety and security awareness, and for the protection and promotion of the work of the Country Office staff and our partner organizations.

We Effect Asia is organized in a team structure where active participation through exchange of experience, continuous dialogue and creation of synergies is stimulated.

As a member of the Regional Management Team, the Country Directors actively contribute to the work and goals of the management teams.

About you

We believe you are a senior manager with extensive experience working in civil society organisations and international development cooperation, including organisational development and advocacy.

You have excellent understanding of development cooperation in both its theory and practice and you are firmly rooted in the rights-based approach, equality and democratic governance.

Your values reflect international human rights and development cooperation standards.

As Country Manager it is crucial that you have excellent ability to organize, plan, prioritize and communicate your work. You have proven skills in budgeting of complex programs, administration, and financial follow-up of budgets, including monitoring and controlling expenses.

You enjoy seeking out new and maintaining existing relations with We Effect allies, including potential and existing donors, and have experience in resource mobilization.

As a modern, inclusive leader you are mature and value based, with the commitment, experience, and tools to support your staff to succeed in their roles. You have proven capacity to lead a professional team in a difficult context, ensuring both their and our partners´ safety and protection.

You are a team player with a strong willingness to listen to your peers and be active in developing the regional team and want to be an asset to the We Effect global organization.

You share the organization’s vision of a sustainable and just world for all, free from poverty.

Required qualifications

Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Agriculture, Sociology or a related relevant field.
At least 10 years of experience working in civil society organisations and international development cooperation, including organisational development and advocacy.
At least five years of experience working in a management position within development cooperation (preferably as head of an office).
Excellent skills and in-depth experience from planning, implementation, follow-up and reporting of development cooperation programs/projects.
Good understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation methods commonly used in development cooperation.

Proven experience in the application of and theoretical understanding of the rights-based approach, civil society development and gender equality perspectives.
Excellent skills in financial management and budget analysis, other administrative systems.
Strong oral and written communication skills, works well in a team.
Excellent deadline management and ease to work towards set goals.
Proficiency in English

Proficient in computer skills and cloud-based tools for communication and documentation.
Ability and willingness to travel and work uncomfortable hours when necessary.
Valid driver’s license.

Merits

Knowledge of Arabic

What we can offer you

We will give you the opportunity to make a real difference – within our organisation and in our joint work for a sustainable planet free from poverty. We challenge the status quo and encourages innovation. Our values Transparency, Respect and Together, guide us in our work and as colleagues forming our organisational culture. We are an intercultural organisation where diversity and inclusion are our corner stones. We welcome you as you are, and value a wide range of perspectives, experiences and networks and we strive for a workplace where you can bring your whole self to work. It is our belief that an inclusive workplace without discrimination of any kind, leads to more efficient relations and results with healthy, engaged, and growing co-workers. 

We strive to have the best work environment and even if your main workplace for this position will be Ramallah, we offer flexible opportunities to mix working from office and home or elsewhere which we believe will improve work-life balance in many ways. We apply goal-oriented working time and offer 25 days of paid annual leave.

Application

Apply by uploading your CV and cover letter to Impactpool no later than February 20, 2023. Your application documents should be in English.

Please note that the position requires that the candidate have permission to live and work in Palestine.

For more information

Nina Larrea, Regional Director, We Effect Asia, nina.larrea@weeffect.org

If you have any technical difficulties uploading the application, please contact Impactpool, service@impactpool.org.

Misconduct

We Effect wants to be alerted on suspected discrimination, corruption or other serious misconduct during the recuritment process. To make us aware, do not hesitate to use our Whistleblowing System.