REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Work Location : Cote D'Ivoire - AbidjanType of Post : Accompanied - FamilyOther Possible Location : Benin - CotonouFunding : APPROVEDExpected Travel : up to 40%Type of Contract : Language Requirement : English, FrenchApplication Deadline : Employee Duration : Full-Time

Starting salaries are based on various factors, including candidate experience, education, knowledge, skills, and the cost of labor where the job is based. Salaries listed only apply to jobs based in the US.

Who We Are

As a global leader, CARE is shaping the future of the humanitarian and development sector. Each year, we deliver support and services to millions of people globally. We do this by focusing on our mission and vision, and the values of equality and excellence that guide our organization. We seek dedicated individuals who align with our mission and are passionate about making it a reality by collaborating with others, embracing learning and innovation, and delivering results.

What We Are Looking For

At CARE, we value diversely talented people who can bring different experiences and perspectives to our organization. We know that not all applicants will have every skill and qualification. We encourage everyone who meets the minimum required qualifications to apply. Having one or more of the preferred qualifications will strengthen an application. But, even if you are earlier in your career or followed a non-traditional educational or professional path, we hope you will consider a career at CARE.

Job Title: REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Job Location(s): Cote D'Ivoire - Abidjan

Location: This position may be based in any of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo. The selected candidate will work from their home country.

CARE seeks a strategic, influential Regional Director (RD) to lead its West and Central Africa portfolio- one of the organization’s most complex and rapidly evolving regions. The RD provides overall leadership to Country Directors and regional teams, ensuring high‑quality, locally led development and humanitarian impact.

Role Overview

The Regional Director drives regional strategy, strengthens partnerships, ensures operational excellence, and leads humanitarian response across a region marked by conflict, insecurity, and growing geopolitical pressures. The RD represents CARE with governments, donors, private sector partners, and regional bodies, and leads the region’s advocacy agenda. A core focus of the role is advancing CARE’s shift toward locally led models and deepening collaboration with civil society, women‑led organizations, and other key actors.

The RD serves on the International Programs & Operations Senior Management Team (IPO SMT) and the CARE USA Global Leadership Team (GLT).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Define and communicate a clear regional vision aligned with CARE’s global strategy. Guide Country Offices in developing coherent strategies and adapting operating models to strengthen local ownership and impact. Ensure safe, principled, and effective humanitarian access and operations.

Operational Excellence & Accountability

Supervise and support Country Directors to deliver high‑quality programs and timely emergency response. Ensure strong financial stewardship, risk management, compliance, and performance monitoring across the region. Strengthen collaboration between COs and technical teams in program strategy and innovation.

Representation, Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

Represent CARE with senior government officials, donors, private sector partners, and regional institutions. Lead regional advocacy, particularly on humanitarian access and protection. Drive resource mobilization strategies, including innovative and private‑sector funding opportunities. Build and sustain strategic partnerships that expand CARE’s influence and impact.

People & Culture

Directly supervise Country Directors and senior regional leaders, ensuring strong performance management. Lead talent development and succession planning across Country Offices. Ensure the region has the skills and capacities needed for high‑quality programming and humanitarian response.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences) Over 7 years with proven results in senior management and leadership experience working in development and complex humanitarian operations, including in West and Central Africa Proven ability to navigate a highly complex and matrixed global organization Proven experience overseeing operational risk and staff safety in fragile, conflict contexts Proven experience in high level engagement, including with private sector, and advocacy Proven ability to navigate a highly complex and matrixed global organization Extensive experience developing and securing funds for programs and services, from regional and global institutional donors such as USG, EU, private sector and foundations, philanthropists. Strong gender experience/ expertise. Experience in working with women movements. Good network of and experience in engaging with and influencing leaders in West and Central Africa (donors, government authorities, leaders from private sector and international organizations, etc.). Effectively develop, lead and provide strategic direction to a diverse and inclusive team of leaders across a vast/diverse region. Consistently demonstrate your commitment to gender equality, diversity, equity and inclusion. Soft skills. Adaptive management skills to deal with different styles of leadership.. Understanding of the basics of financial oversight and institutional donors compliance. English and French required.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences) Knowledge about and extensive work experience in West and Central Africa is highly desired, including established regional relationships and a networking-base in the region (with donors, peers, government authorities, leaders from private sector, local organizations, etc

There are individuals who may use CARE’s name and trademark in emails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job-seekers. Some examples of these fees are placement fees or immigration processing fees. CARE does not use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an up-front fee of any kind. Occasionally, CARE does employ recruiting or placement agencies to help us identify candidates for specific employment within CARE. If you’re contacted by a legitimate recruiting or placement agency, there should be no charge to you. If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud from someone purporting to be CARE, please contact us at legal@care.org. Please do not email legal@care.org to apply for this position. Instead, click "apply now" below in order to submit your interest.

CARE is an Equal Opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Starting salaries are based on internal equity, candidate experience, and the cost of labor where the job is based. Salaries listed only apply to jobs based in the US.