Country Director - Yemen

Job Description & Person Specification

Country Director - Yemen

Salary:             $4,000 (per calendar month) + benefits

Contract:         1 year (subject to extension)
Hours:             Full-time

Location:         Yemen

Reports to:      UK Head of Programmes/Deputy CEO

Closing Date:   Rolling (until a suitable candidate is identified) 

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to provide access to quality education to vulnerable children in our regions of work. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school, to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.  READ Foundation Yemen (RFY) established its operations in Yemen in July 2020. Since its establishment, RFY has assisted the affected population with lifesaving interventions in different governorates. 

Purpose of job 

The role holder will represent READ Foundation in the country of assignment and is responsible for the planning, management and implementation of the country program.

Ensuring strategic alignment with the READ Foundation global strategy, the Country Director will exhibit strong leadership to coordinate and supervise the efficient implementation of READ Foundation’s Programmes.

The role holder will also develop strong strategic partnerships with other stakeholders, including UN and other institutional funding entities to maximise resource mobilisation.

Main Responsibilities

Programme strategy and management:

• Create and influence the RFY programmes strategy in line with READ Foundation’s vision, mission and core values.
• Responsible for the delivery of our international programmes, ensuring programme effectiveness. A particular focus on Education in emergencies.
• Delivery of the programmes operational plan and ensuring alignment with READ Foundation’s strategic plan.
• Develop READ Foundation’s humanitarian response in education and provide guidance in terms of strategy, deployment and resource mobilisation. 
• Ensure READ Foundation’s programmes harness the correct balance between Humanitarian response vs Sustainable development, in line with the new sustainable development goals.
• Manage the Country Office team, including direct supervision of senior management staff (Head of Finance, Head of Programmes etc.) with general oversight of the Programmes, Operations, and Finance teams.

Representation and communication:

• Oversight of strategic partnership initiatives and resource mobilisation, through institutional funding, partner organisations and high net worth individuals.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships and alliances with like-minded organisations globally on delivery and sector-wide issues.
• Raise the profile of the charity in the sector through networking and representing it on the appropriate platforms.
• Ensure the Yemen-programmes and projects are suitably documented with appropriate reporting, media and communications. Ensure READ Foundation and other donors receive high quality feedback.

Operational oversight

• Overall responsibility for Programme Compliance, including managing READ Foundation’s Risk framework through robust risk policies and procedures.
• Ensure the capacity building of READ Foundation Yemen’s mission with the appropriate technical skills, systems and thematic training.
• Oversee and maximise Yemen staff’s performance and learning.
• Monitor structure, workflows, processes, and systems to ensure these are fit for purpose at all times, with responsibility for introducing such changes as appropriate from time to time
• Responsible for periodic budget setting and ensuring optimal annual spend in coordination with the Head of Finance and Operations.
• Work with the Deputy CEO and other UK departments to further develop READ Yemen’s footprint.
• Responsible for the safety and security of the staff, program, and assets; ensure safety and security policies are updated and implemented.

This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities will vary from the particulars of this job description. 

Special Working Conditions

Work occasional flexible hours including evenings and weekends

Instructions to Apply 

Please apply with your CV and supporting outlining how your skills and experience meet the person specification for the post.  

Early applications are encouraged as interviews will take place on a rolling basis.

Successful applicants will be subject to relevant reference and identification checks.

Due to the volume of applications, we may be unable to respond to all candidates. If your application is short-listed, we will get in touch. If you have not heard from our team within 8 weeks, please assume your application has not met the criteria on this occasion. 

No agencies please. 

Thank you for your interest in READ Foundation, we look forward to receiving your application.