Deputy Country Director for Ethiopia

Deputy Country Director for Ethiopia

Country Programme: Ethiopia

Countract lenght: 2 years

Base: Addis Abeba

Line Manager: Country Director

National posting

People in Need (PIN) is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian assistance and development cooperation worldwide. PIN adopts a triple nexus approach, linking humanitarian, development and resilience programming, with a strong focus on systems strengthening, locally led action and support to civil society.

Present in Ethiopia since 2003, PIN works in partnership with communities, local organisations and public institutions to support sustainable development and improve people’s well-being across the country. Through integrated programming, PIN combines immediate assistance with longer-term, systems-oriented approaches aimed at strengthening resilience, expanding access to essential services and economic opportunities, and enabling locally led solutions.

Guided by its Relief and Development strategy, PIN operates across multiple regions and works with a diverse portfolio of institutional donors and partners.

About the role:

The Deputy Country Director Programmes (DCD Programmes), a key representative of People in Need (PIN) at the country level, is responsible for strategic leadership in ensuring the quality, relevance and compliance of PIN´s programmes and their sustainable and efficient impact. The role also entails strong external engagement, including proactive positioning of PIN within the humanitarian and development community, cultivating strategic relationships with donors, authorities and partners, and contributing to policy dialogue and coordination platforms. The DCD Programmes represents, together with the CD, PIN towards the national authorities, donors, partners and other stakeholders. The DCD Programmes is part of setting the strategic agenda, participates in identifying and pursuing new opportunities for funding and partnerships, and ensures proactive alignment with national and international priorities. The DCD Programmes supports the Country Director (CD) in ensuring compliance with PIN values, policies and the strategy of the Relief and Development Department (RDD). The DCD Programmes manages risks and, along with the Programme Managers, Advisors, and Consortium Managers, supervises the quality of programme design and implementation. The DCD Programmes oversees the management of human resources (HR) and staff development within the Programme unit. In the absence of the CD, the DCD Programmes acts as the legal representative of the organisation within the country.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

As a strategic leader, the DCD Programmes:

  • Together with the CD, leads in fulfilling the strategy, vision and mission of the RDD and compliance with core values and strategic flagships of PIN;
  • Provides strategic direction to PIN’s programming presence in the country;
  • Together with the CD, leads in the formulation of the country’s strategy in line with the RDD strategy and its dissemination and implementation through the team; 
  • Ensures that medium-term and short-term plans agreed with the headquarters (HQ) are implemented;
  • Strives for the diversification of financial resources and leads or supervises proposal development processes;
  • Together with the Regional direction, CD, Business Development Manager, Program Managers, Advisors, Consortium Managers, she/he initiates new programmes and interventions in new sectors according to the country strategy;
  • Coordinates the engagement of both development and emergency programme teams to provide a nexus and systems-strengthening approach to PIN’s programme development, and coordinates this effort with representation towards donors, authorities and partners;
  • Provides strategic leadership on locally led action and civil society strengthening;
  • Leads the MEAL development and ensures appropriate CFRM mechanisms and Safeguarding and Protection mainstreaming mechanisms are in place and functional;
  • Reports on the country’s programme performance to the HQ

Representation & External Relations

As a representative of PIN, the DCD Programmes:

  • In collaboration with the CD formally represents PIN towards current and potential donors, partners, embassies;
  • In collaboration with the CD formally represents PIN towards national and local authorities;
  • Is formally as well as informally networking and developing partnerships with all relevant stakeholders  for the development and implementation of programmes, including the authorities, local partners, relevant networks and platforms, and the Alliance 2015;
  • Supports the CD and Communication department in promoting the PIN brand at the country level, visibility and external communication;

Human Resources & Capacity Development

As a leader of the team, the DCD Programmes:

  • Promotes team spirit, a culture of respect, personal responsibility, transparency and openness;
  • Ensures all staff are aware, understand and comply with relevant PIN policies and rules, including the Code of Conduct;
  • Is responsible for the recruitment of key programme positions at the national level and contributes to the recruitment done at the HQ level
  • Provides the senior staff under her/his direct supervision with regular feedback and support

Quality & Risk Management

As a responsible manager, the DCD Programmes:

  • Together with CD, ensures alignment with national policies and international standards;
  • Ensures PIN and RDD policies are known and respected;
  • Ensures information sharing and coordination within the Programme Unit and the CP-HQ communication flow;
  • Promotes a culture of learning, ensuring PIN programmes are based on existing internal and external know-how, in close cooperation with her/his direct team oversees CP Feedback tracker - programme part;
  • Facilitates relevant and timely reporting via PIN online platform
  • Ensures regular engagement with the Regional team and HQ Programme, Strategy and Impact (PSI) unit to strengthen programme quality, foster innovation and support strategic programme development and  growth

Safety & Security

 The DCD Programmes is responsible for:

  • Striving for the maximum safety and security of staff and beneficiaries and ensures an awareness of the risks;
  • Ensures a balance between the accepted level of risk and the urgency of programmes (as per the Risk Management Policy);

Main Requirements:

  • Relevant experience from the development/emergency sector & people management in an expatriate position;
  • Solid leadership and staff management skills, with a record of managing larger, diverse teams;
  • Experience within the region and understanding of local dynamics preferable;
  • Proven international experience in team and security management, fundraising, project development, and donor liaison;
  • At least five years of relevant experience with excellent spoken and written English;
  • Reliable and self-reliant personality with a responsible and systematic approach to work;
  • Dynamic and result-oriented profile, critical analysis skills;
  • University degree in a relevant field

PIN offers:

  • Standard work schedule of 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday
  • Salary: 2,559 - 3,114 USD (depending on experience)
  • Per diems for working and accommodation outside of the duty station depending on the location
  • Transport Allowance
  • Bank loan facilities
  • 20 days of paid annual and after 5 years of work an extra paid day for every year
  • Extra days of paid leaves for selected holidays
  • Medical insurance, including spouse and children
  • Accident insurance for all injuries during work time based on the law
  • Pension contribution of 11 % from PIN
  • Living cost adjustment allowance
  • Paternity leave of extra 2 paid days above the mandatory 3 days
  • Maternity leave according to the law and extra financial motherhood support
  • Monthly mobile phone hybrid tariff
  • PIN supports fast career growth and internal mobility
  • International environment with opportunities to learn from other PIN’s country programs
  • Extensive Capacity Building program, both internal and external trainings, including the Induction training
  • Internal online learning opportunities, such as access to PIN’s e-learning platform and webinars

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.

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