Country director

The Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) is a German aid and welfare organization with 16 branches at national level as well as 227 branches at regional, district and municipal level. More than a million support the organization by their membership, thus contributing to a broad establishment of ASB in society. Since its foundation in 1888, the ASB has acted as a politically and denominationally independent association ensuring a high level of continuity and reliability. With its first international mission in 1921, the area of foreign aid became an integral part of the organization. Humanitarian and democratic principles form the basis for our activities at home and abroad.

ASB has been present in Sri Lanka since 2002 and in cooperation with various UN Agencies and INGOs implementing a range of humanitarian, socio-economic assistance, peace-building and conflict management, housing /reconstruction and rehabilitation activities that seek to link Relief, Rehabilitation and Development and are based on a ‘one country’ program strategy.

ASB is currently working in the Districts of Vavuniya in the North of Sri Lanka, Batticaloa and Ampara in the East, Hambantota, Matara and Galle in the South, Negombo in the West with the National Office based in Colombo.

In support of our activities in Sri Lanka, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland is looking for an experienced candidate for the following position:

Country director

Location: Colombo, with regular trips to the project offices in the North, East and South of Sri Lanka Starting Date: 01/11/11 Contract duration: 24 months (with option of extension subject to performance and project portfolio)

Objective of the position:

The Country Director is responsible for the overall guidance and strategic management of the ASB Country Programme in Sri Lanka.

The Country Director’s general objectives are:

- The ASB country office with all international and national staff are managed and guided trustfully.
- ASB is known in Sri Lanka to government institutions, local authorities, donors and international organisations as an international NGO with projects of high quality.
- Program activities are supported and facilitated to function efficiently.
- Project proposal and reporting deadlines and donors requirements are met
- ASB’s and donor procedures and policies are implemented and applied correctly.

Tasks:

- Guide an international and national team of experts.
- Supervise and oversee the delivery of the existing country programme, including supervision of the implementation, management and reporting of all projects and programmes.
- Supervise and control the financial expenditures and oversee the financial management systems to ensure full-compliance with ASB’s financial polices, procedures and practices.
- Supervise all HR activities, admin and logistic processes to ensure full-compliance with ASB’s polices, procedures and practices.
- Identify, plan and manage new activities related to humanitarian aid and rehabilitation as well as disaster risk reduction.
- Identify possible institutional donors, write and submit proposals.
- Rapidly revise, update and expand concept papers into full project proposals as recommended by donors.
- Represent ASB towards government institutions, local authorities, donors, international organisations and media.
- Travel regularly to the field to monitor, support and guide the teams in the project areas.

Requirements:

- University or comparable degree in humanitarian aid, development studies or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of proved overseas experience in the implementation of humanitarian aid and rehabilitation programmes.
- A minimum of 5 years of proved experience in leadership positions in NGOs.
-Be familiar with the requirements and formats of different donors (e.g. ECHO, EC, USAID) with respect to sectors, priorities, guidelines and budget lines.
- Considerable fund-raising experience and a proven track record of successfully developing and funding new projects with multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations, including the EU and UN Organisations.
- Experienced in staff and budget management.
- Experience in finance management would be an asset.
- Well developed written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of ASB. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.
- Fluent English language in written and verbal form is a precondition.
- Knowledge of German would be an asset.
- Experience in working in conflict or natural disasters affected areas.
- Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress and challenging living conditions. Ability to work and live with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
- Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.