Organizational Context
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, established as an international non-governmental organization with the mission of accompanying, serving and defending the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organization was founded in November 1980 and is now present in more than 58 countries. JRS provides services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an International Office (IB) in Rome. JRS’ style of service is humane and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.
The main services provided are in the area of education, emergency assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, livelihoods and pastoral support. Currently, more than one and a half million people directly benefit from JRS projects around the world.
Operational Context / Role
In Burundi, as part of its refugee programme, JRS works in five (5) Congolese refugee camps (Kinama, Musasa, Kavumu, Bwagiriza and Nyankanda) in the provinces of Ruyigi and Muyinga, and in urban environment (Bujumbura and Rumonge). Its sectors of intervention include education, economic empowerment, psychosocial, protection, reintegration and reconciliation. JRS also intervenes in the reintegration of Burundians repatriated from Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC in the provinces of Kirundo, Muyinga, Ruyigi, Makamba, Cibitoke, Bujumbura Mairie, Rumonge, Cankuzo and Rutana. It intervenes through four (04) different sectors of intervention: education, empowerment, psychosocial support and social cohesion.
In Tanzania, JRS is present in Kigoma Province with a main office in the town of Kibondo and a sub-office in the town of Kasulu. JRS works in Tanzania with Burundian and Congolese refugees in the Nduta and Nyarugusu camps and intervenes in the field of education and psychosocial services.
Under the supervision of the Regional Director, the National Director is responsible for all JRS activities in the country. The incumbent will manage a team of professionals, including but not limited to National Office Managers (Finance, Human Resources, Program, Supply Chain Management) who, along with the National Director, constitute the the Country Management Team (CMT), as well as the project directors.
The National Director will ensure the efficient and effective management of the JRS national office while respecting and implementing JRS processes and guidelines. He/she will provide strategic vision and leadership for national programs and will be responsible for the design and execution of quality programs, donor and government relations, fundraising and budget management. , safety, security and operations management, compliance and risk management, as well as building a motivated and professional team.
As a member of the regional leadership team, he/she will contribute to the strategic development and implementation of international programming, in humanitarian and development contexts, in accordance with the mandate, strategy and theory of the JRS change.
The Country Director will work closely and interface with the Regional Office (RO) and International Office (IO) departments and will contribute greatly to the development of the Africa Region leadership team. East.
Priorities
• Strong leadership
• Strategic planning in line with the JRS strategic framework
• Staff well-being and management in line with the JRS Staff Protection Policy
• Financial and compliance management in line with JRS policies and procedures
• Mobilization and in-country resource allocation
• All in-country activities, staff and Country Management Team (CMT)
• Implement programs and advocacy actions in line with national strategy, operational plans, budgets and the demands of JRS affiliates, which have a significant impact on refugees and displaced people.
Main Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Regional Director:
Leadership:
Internal:
• Establish a common vision of the organization’s activities and stay true to it
• Cultivate positive relationships and work environments.
• Ensure staff motivation through mutual respect, professional development opportunities and participation in project planning.
• Ensure an appropriate level of communication with staff at all levels.
• Ensure that staff can properly represent the organization by equipping them with knowledge of the JRS vision and mission, as well as the region’s strategic plan.
• Create a continuous learning environment, in which staff are encouraged and supported in their growth and development and are prepared to account for their commitments
External:
• Cultivate positive working relationships and develop partnerships with other NGOs, UNHCR and other UN agencies, host governments, etc. for better coordination at program level.
• Cultivate positive and collaborative relationships with bilateral and multilateral donors, the Catholic Church and other key stakeholders to ensure the financial stability of the national office
• Ensure a positive perception of the JRS presence in Burundi and Tanzania.
• Develop partnerships and collaborations with external actors, including national NGOs, the private sector and academic institutions.
• Ensure that the visibility of JRS programs in the country is improved.
Strategic Planning:
In full compliance with country humanitarian guidelines, JRS strategic framework and programmatic policies and procedures.
• Lead the development and execution of the national strategy
• Ensure that the strategic vision and direction of the national program are aligned with the JRS global and regional strategies, and secure the necessary resources to achieve them.
• Ensure effective strategic collaboration with all stakeholders, including beneficiaries, other NGOs and donors at national and subnational levels, to ensure mutual learning and exert influence to increase the impact of program investments .
• Maintain strategic oversight of the needs of those served, opening/closing and increasing/reducing projects accordingly.
Personnel Management:
• Supervise the management, supervision and development of national and international personnel in order to build a team of competent, committed and motivated collaborators.
• Coach, train, supervise and guide direct reports, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives and providing regular and constructive performance feedback.
• Ensure that human resource needs are fully identified, assessed, described and communicated.
• Recruit for key positions with the assistance of the country HR manager and the international office HR department.
• Ensure the implementation of human resources guidelines and policies
• Ensure that staff are provided with adequate rest and relaxation and that their well-being is taken into account.
• Promote and monitor the care and well-being of staff. Give an example of practices allowing you to reconcile professional and private life. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs, both domestic and international.
• Ensure that the emergency preparedness and response plan and safety guidelines are regularly updated and implemented in all field work locations.
• Ensure that human resources issues are addressed and considered seriously.
• Ensure that two child protection officers and two PSEAH focal points are in place at all times and ensure that all mechanisms for reporting and responding to identified cases are functional
• Manage the policy and national safeguard systems
Financial Supervision:
• It proposes an annual budget to the regional director and ensures that resources and expenditures are controlled in a timely manner in accordance with the corresponding control mechanisms.
• Ensures the quality, efficiency and transparency of the planning, use and communication of financial tools made available to JRS programs.
• Provides support for annual accounting audits, quarterly review and annual accounting audits.
• Ensure the implementation and compliance with the procurement policy.
• Actively monitors and reports on company risk profiles, ensuring compliance with financial and logistics policies, processes and procedures.
In-Country Fund Mobilization
• Seek and exploit financing opportunities at the national level to expand project activities.
• In coordination with the Regional Director, the Director of Programs and Innovation and the Director of Communication and Development of the International Office, participate in fundraising activities for projects in the country.
Advocacy and Communication
• Ensure an appropriate degree of information sharing at all levels.
• Maintain positive working relationships with all JRS partners and humanitarian actors, and in particular with the Catholic Church and the Jesuit provinces.
• Raise public awareness of JRS contributions to their communities. Ensure advocacy at national level and with international organizations, national/local authorities, donors and all other stakeholders.
• Develop and share learning on CRRF implementation for the national program and the wider organization/sector.
Project Activities
The JRS National Director is responsible for
• Coordinating all programs and providing strategic direction.
• Lead the national office team and ensure that staff are responsive and provide quality services.
• In close collaboration with the national team, frequently visit projects to evaluate programs.
• Ensure liaison with the programs of neighboring JRS COs in order to optimize cross-border collaboration.
• Lead teams ensuring programs are designed and can be implemented in hard-to-reach areas.
• Oversee the development of appropriate new strategies that will ensure new pathways to impact at scale, including the integration of technology, media and institution building.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Accredited advanced university degree in management, political science, law, international development or another related discipline. An undergraduate degree with strong field experience will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in increasing responsibilities within human service organizations, ideally in humanitarian or development organizations with strong experience in human rights and/or faith .
• Experience in project development and management, working with refugees and/or advocating on behalf of forcibly displaced people is a particular advantage.
• At least 4 years of experience in management positions. Employment or collaboration with the Catholic Church (at the parish, diocese or bishops’ conference level) in a leadership role is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated evidence of leadership in a professional setting/humanitarian response with the ability to think strategically, motivate others, create new projects, solve problems and be part of a multicultural and multifaith team.
• Proven results in organizational management, budget development and management and general office coordination.
• Proven ability to raise funds.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit.
• A proven ability to capture the impact and lessons learned from operations and integrate them into new programs.
• Knowledge and/or familiarity with key concepts and current trends in forced migration and the challenges faced by forcibly displaced people.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen, communicate effectively, negotiate and work creatively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds: beneficiaries, government officials, church leaders and refugee groups, among others. others.
• Proven results in improving the working environment of an organization or wider sector through deliberate influence strategies.
• Experience representing an organization or humanitarian context to the press and/or media, as well as integrating the use of new and traditional media in achieving impact.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and the ability to maintain positive relationships and maintain composure.
LANGUAGES
• Excellent command of written and oral English and French; professional knowledge of a language spoken in the region is desirable.
Required skills and competencies
• Very good pastoral sense and listening and communication/interpersonal skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to persuasively articulate the message and impact of JRS to external audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural, international and high-energy professional environment.
• Proven experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Ability to innovate in a changing environment, to promote creativity and innovation within the organization.
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Experience managing insecure environments
• Influence
• Understanding and commitment to humanitarian assistance and international humanitarian standards.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office software.
• Knowledge of the Jesuit network is an asset.
• Willingness to work and travel with refugees in difficult environments.
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for himself and the team, takes responsibility for his own personal development and encourages the team to do the same.
• Strong track record of building high-performance teams and future successors/managers.
• Experience leading change within an organization that has resulted in significant results for the organization and its stakeholders.
• Experience building personal networks at a high level, leading to new opportunities for the organization.
Core values required
• Good understanding and compatibility with JRS values;
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of JRS; ability to enthusiastically convey the role of JRS in supporting and serving forcibly displaced people and defending their right to protection and a life with dignity.
• Takes responsibility for making decisions, managing resources effectively, achieving results with children and upholding JRS values.
• Empowers the team and partners to take responsibility – giving them the freedom to act in the best way possible, providing the development needed to improve their performance, and applying appropriate consequences when results do not are not achieved
• Create a managerial environment in the country to lead, enable and maintain the JRS culture.
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal with people, situations and information with tact and discretion.
• Always acts in the interests of refugees
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a fundamental value;
• Strengthen the means of action and confidence
Travel
• The position requires regular travel to JRS sites.
How to apply
All candidates are requested to submit the following documents here :
A cover letter describing the candidate’s desire and motivation to work for JRS and explaining how their qualifications and experience match this position.
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) in French, including three (3) professional references with their contact details, telephone number and email address.