Country Director for Mongolia

Country Programme: Mongolia

Contract Length: 1,5 years with possibility for extension

Base: Ulaambaatar

Starting date: ASAP

Line Manager: Regional Director

About the Mongolia Programme of People in Need:

People in Need (PIN) is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian and development assistance around the world. Since establishing a permanent office in Mongolia in 2011, PIN has delivered nearly 30 projects in 19 Aimags (provinces), benefiting thousands of people. The programme focuses on sustainable development and livelihoods, air pollution mitigation, climate-smart energy, civil society strengthening, media literacy, and digitalization.

About the role:

The Country Director (CD), a main representative of People in Need (PIN) at the country level, is responsible for strategic leadership. The CD ensures compliance with PIN values, policies and the strategy of the Relief and Development Department (RDD). The CD manages risks, ensures compliance with environmental and social standards, and supervises the quality of programmes and all support functions. The CD oversees management of human resources (HR) and staff development

We’re looking for a dynamic Country Director to drive forward the programme in Mongolia, establish new funding and implementation partnerships and collaboration with government departments and Ministries.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• represents PIN in Mongolia towards regional and national authorities, donors and partners and other relevant stakeholders
• provide strategic direction and align the Country Programme (CP) with PIN HQ initiatives and strategies follows country development, politics and trends within the donor environment
• ensures alignment of the CP with PIN HQ requirements, initiative, and strategies
• engages in humanitarian and development advocacy initiatives and policy dialogues and oversees internal and external communications·
• ensures efficient internal coordination at mission level and with HQ, reporting to the Regional Director, and working closely with the Institutional Fundraising Unit, Programme Strategy and Impact Department, Compliance, and the Regional Head of Systems and Operations
• with support from the HQ, ensures that the required human, financial and other necessary resources are available and used for their intended purpose;
• supervises the economy of the country programme
• strives for financial stability and the diversification of financial resources
• strengthens “a local identity” of the country programme and ensures compliance with local rules and regulations
• is responsible for contingency planning and emergency preparedness; with support from the HQ, manages/supervises new emergency responses;
• ensures that medium-term and short-term plans, as agreed with HQ, are implemented
• ensures the full respect of PIN’s administrative, HR, financial and logistics procedures

Programme Leadership & Quality Management

•  guide development and execution of the Country Strategic Plan and programme portfolio
• ensure programmes are designed and implemented in line with PIN’s strategy and quality standards
• oversee effective Project Cycle Management, including design, implementation, and monitoring
• lead the preparation of high-quality proposals and programme reports
• ensure robust risk assessment and adherence to donor regulations
• ensure Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems and CRFM mechanisms are implemented
• supervise documentation and organizational learning from programmes

Fundraising & Partnerships

• identify and actively pursue new funding opportunities and explore different funding approaches and strategies (bilateral funding, consortiums, private funding, etc)
• lead the design and execution of the country’s fundraising strategy
• represent PIN in donor negotiations and build strong institutional relationships
• promote and oversee implementation of PIN’s partnership and localization strategies
• build and manage strategic partnerships with CSOs, private sector, government, and relevant networks

Programme Leadership & Quality Management

• guide development and execution of the Country Strategic Plan and programme portfolio
• ensure programmes are designed and implemented in line with PIN’s strategy and quality standards
• oversee effective Project Cycle Management, including design, implementation, and monitoring
• lead the preparation of high-quality proposals and programme reports
• ensure robust risk assessment and adherence to donor regulations
• ensure Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems and CRFM mechanisms are implemented
• supervise documentation and organizational learning from programmes

Human Resources & Capacity Development

• promotes a positive team culture of respect, openness, personal responsibility, and non-discrimination.
• ensures compliance with PIN policies, including the Code of Conduct, PSEA, and Safeguarding, and follows up on policy breaches.
• oversees HR structure, ensuring roles are appropriately assigned, and staff performance and capacity are regularly evaluated.
• collaborates with HR to assess and budget for current and future staffing needs based on programme scope.
• ensures robust HR systems including transparent recruitment, onboarding, performance reviews, and clear documentation of HR procedures.
• leads recruitment and onboarding of key positions to ensure technical and managerial capacities.
• supports staff development through capacity-building plans, training resources, and funding for learning initiatives.
• encourages staff exchange and exposure visits, and provides regular feedback and support to senior team members.
• promotes team well-being through attention to diversity, monitoring retention, and organizing retreats and team-building activities.

Representation & External Relations

• Is the legal representative of the organization in the country;
• builds strategic relationships and formally represents PIN towards local authorities, partners, the Czech embassy and donors;
• is formally as well as informally networking and developing partnerships with all relevant stakeholders in the country;
• maintains a good partnership within Alliance 2015 (if PIN is a leading agency of the Alliance 2015, ensures Alliance coordination mechanisms are in place);
• is responsible for the PIN brand at the country level, visibility and external communication;
• represents PIN towards media;
• takes initiatives in joint programming or advocacy efforts;
• ensures a strategic approach in advocacy and personally advocates for the interests of our beneficiaries.

Quality & Risk Management

• Ensures that procedures described in PIN policies, including the Safeguarding Policy, are in place and functional;
• ensures that all support departments and functions are in place;
• sets up effective internal coordination and communication;
• ensures the high quality of submitted proposals; according to the size and structure of the country programme;
• approves project proposals, contracts and payments according to given thresholds;
• manages the most important risks and coordinates risk mitigation measure;
• ensures PIN works in line with international Social and Environmental standards;
• ensures compliance with PIN Data Protection Policy;
• protects PIN from any reputational risks.

Safety & Security

• adhering to the PIN Safety and Security Policy and country-relevant procedures;
• strives for the maximum safety and security of PIN’s staff and assets and ensures an awareness of risks and mitigation strategies;
• ensures a balance between the accepted level of risk and the urgency of programmes (as per the Risk Management Policy);
• executes crisis management; leads the Incident Management Team (IMT).
• ensures that the Do-no-harm approach and maximum protection of PIN’s beneficiaries is applied.

And fulfils any other tasks as required. 

Main requirements:

• minimum 5 years proven working experience in development and emergency context, especially with program and/or mission management and development
• experience with projects designing and strategic planning, PCM, knowledge of the institutional donors’ environment
• proven experience in fundraising
• strong networking and representation skills
• strong leadership and staff management skills
• good organizational, planning, diplomatic and problem-solving skills
• excellent communication and writing skills in English
• excellent communication skills and cultural sensitivity
• work experience, knowledge and understanding of the regional/national context is a distinct advantage

We offer:

• Working environment in a well-established humanitarian organization in a challenging context;

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary based on PIN’s salary scale and HR policies; expected salary range between 3100 – 3900 EUR super gross (based on experience).

Additional allowances include:

• Monthly Subsistence Allowance of 1440 EUR;
• Housing Allowance

Time off and Rest:

• 25 days of holiday annually;
• 10 sick days

Travel benefits:

• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once every 6 months of work;
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with the visa application procedure;
• Reimbursement for the medical check-up before and after the deployment;
• Travel health insurance covering medical care, incl. the repatriation;

  Health and Well-being:

• 24/7 Medical Support available online;
• Free psychological consultations available online

 Professional Development:

• Free access to e-learning platforms and PIN Learning Hub; PIN’s global Induction Training, and tailored capacity-building opportunities.

National candidates are welcome to apply.
Employment terms for national candidates differ and will be shared upon request.

How to apply:

If you are interested in this position, send us your CV and short cover letter via our application form.

Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.