Diakonia is expanding and we are looking for a dynamic and transformational Director to lead our team in Somalia. Diakonia has a long experience working in Somalia and support civil society and other actors. Diakonia considers a strong pluralistic and vibrant civil society the requisite for a functioning democracy and we work with local partner organizations to promote democracy and human rights with a strong emphasis on gender justice. We support networking, coordination and capacity development of civil society actors and others and strive to be an ally in their efforts to reinforce a democratic culture and hold decision makers to account. Diakonia is also engaged in humanitarian response and strengthens resilience of populations vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change.

Diakonia is a Swedish international development organization with the overall goal to change unfair political, economic, social and cultural structures that generate poverty, inequality, oppression and violence. Diakonia works with the most vulnerable people, local partners and other strategic actors for the fulfilment of the right of all people to live a life in dignity – irrespective of age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, political conviction, religion, or sexual orientation and identity.

Diakonia has about 350 partner organizations in 25 countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa Diakonia employs 100 staff at country offices in Mozambique, DRC, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Mali and Burkina Faso; and at the Regional Office in Kenya. Diakonia’s Africa program is currently funded by Sweden, Swedish individual sponsors, EU, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, UN agencies and private foundations.

In Somalia Diakonia’s annual turnover is 3,5 M USD, and the main donors are the Embassy of Sweden and Sida. The country director position is based in Nairobi, but is expected to travel frequently (about 50% of country director time) to Somalia mainly to Garowe where we have our country office and where we currently have a team of staff 15 staff. This is a two years contract and after two years the country director position will be moved to country office in Garowe on a permanent basis.

Key responsibilities of the Country Director:

§ Provide strategic leadership in the development and implementation of the Diakonia country program in Somalia, ensuring its alignment with Diakonia global policy, donor policies, and legal requirements in the country;

§ Manage and provide leadership to the country team;

§ Supervise the country office budget and reporting process and ensure the effective and ethical management of resources;

§ Supervise the management of and support to local partners;

§ Manage and facilitate internal and external monitoring and evaluation processes, ensuring accountability towards funding partners and rights holders;

§ Ensure good public relations, maintain productive networking and collaborative initiatives with funding partners, authorities and other organizations, and represent the organization in relevant forums and meetings;

§ Develop and implement strategies to identify and attract potential partners and funders.

Education and competencies required:

§ Advanced degree in Development Studies, Political Science or related fields;

§ Proven experience in program management with civil society partner organizations, monitoring and evaluation, and budget management;

§ A minimum of 7 years relevant experience in development organizations, of which at least 3 years in senior management with experience in finance and human resources;

§ Experience in managing qualified staff;

§ Good understanding and relevant work experience of Diakonia’s thematic areas, i.e. democracy, human rights, gender justice, social and economic justice, peace and conflict and humanitarian support;

§ Excellent verbal and written command of English; Somali language knowledge is an asset.

§ Experience in resource mobilization from bilateral/multilateral donors, and previous experience from EU funded programs are considered an added value.