Country Director - Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Country Director - Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Organization: International Rescue Committee (IRC) Country: Burkina Faso City: Ouagadougou Office: IRC in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. Priority will be given to candidates with the legal right to work in the country of posting In Burkina Faso since April 2019, the IRC has gradually expanded its interventions from the WASH emergency response in Djibo to protection, health, nutrition, and economic recovery, benefiting IDPs, returnees, and host communities. The organization operates in Ouagadougou(main office), with field offices in Ouahigouya, Dori, Fada N'Gourma, Djibo, Titao, and Séguénéga. In this context, the IRC is recruiting a National Country Director for Burkina Faso who combines strategic vision, unifying leadership, integrity, and rigorous risk management to ensure institutional representation and operational management of the country program. The IRC promotes an inclusive environment, grounded in humanitarian principles humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence and in safeguarding and accountability standards. Job Overview The National Country Director provides overall leadership for the IRC program in Burkina Faso, overseeing staff, operations, programming, and institutional relations. He/she is the primary legal representative of the IRC to the government, donors, UN agencies, and NGOs. He/she leads a portfolio of responsive and efficient humanitarian and recovery programs, implemented directly and/or with partners, for the benefit of IDPs, refugees, returnees, and vulnerable host communities. This role requires a trustworthy leader, committed to humanitarian values and principles, with excellent interpersonal skills, capable of forging strategic partnerships, diversifying funding sources, and exercising rigorous judgment in risk management within a volatile security environment. Key Responsibilities: 1- Leadership and Representation Provide exemplary leadership by fostering a strong team spirit, open communication, and an inclusive and empowering work environment. Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Burkinabe authorities, donors (institutional, private, and non-institutional), UN agencies, the EU, NGOs, and humanitarian coordination platforms. Position IRC as a key partner for major donors and local civil society organizations and seize opportunities to promote IRC's work. Contribute to humanitarian coordination in Burkina Faso and at the regional level, in collaboration with IRC West and Central Africa teams. 2- Strategic Direction, Program Quality, and Development Ensure that the country program's strategic vision and direction are aligned with the IRC's strategy to serve populations through responsive, high-quality, and accountable programming, and secure the necessary resources for its implementation. Ensure the country program's alignment with the IRC strategy and the implementation of the strategic action plan. Ensure program quality through rigorous design, M&E, and accountability processes, and investments in staff development and partner capacity building. Oversee the submission of competitive, high-quality proposals and lead partnerships with local civil society in accordance with PEERS standards. Identify opportunities to expand programming and ensure continuous contextual monitoring. 3- Safety, Security, and Access Management Assume primary responsibility for the overall management of safety and security for the country program. Oversee the management of all security matters, including the appropriate response to emergencies as they arise. Create and maintain a culture of safety and security awareness throughout the country program, including training and briefings that prepare all staff for the prevention of and response to security incidents. Keep security, evacuation, and emergency plans up to date and accessible to country program staff. Maintain close coordination and communication with the Regional Safety and Security Director on safety and security issues and on evolving matters that could negatively impact IRC staff or operations. 4- Performance Management and Development Mentor staff under direct supervision by communicating clear expectations, well-defined performance objectives, regular feedback, and documented semi-annual evaluations. Oversee the management, supervision, and development of national and international staff to build a competent, committed, and motivated team. Conduct salary market studies to ensure the competitiveness of the IRC compensation package in Burkina Faso, with the support of the regional P&C team. 5- Operational Management and Governance Supervise, in collaboration with the Operations & Support lead, financial and operational policies, procedures, and systems to ensure compliance with IRC, SYSBNL, and donor requirements. Ensure rigorous budget monitoring of grants and discretionary funds and identify opportunities for operational optimization. Ensure appropriate support for all departments (HR, Finance, Supply Chain) and the consistent implementation of the IRC Way. 6- Communications Model and encourage the active practice of the principles of the “IRC Way — Global Standards for Prof