Country Director

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Background

ANERA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit headquartered in Washington DC and working in the Middle East for 43 years. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the organization has seven Middle Eastern offices – four in the West Bank, and one in Gaza City, Beirut and Amman – giving ANERA a significant presence wherever it works. ANERA’s staff in the Middle East is locally hired, working closely with their communities and local organizations. ANERA draws on a diverse range of funding sources to deliver programs and in-kind donations to communities in the Middle East.

Position Summary
This position is located in ANERA's Jerusalem office with travel through West Bank and Gaza, and provides oversight for a staff of 67 development professionals in the country. The country director, reporting directly to the President, will provide the vision and oversight for all aspects of ANERA's in-country operations and development of new business opportunities. S/he is responsible for developing and implementing the approved strategic plan for relief and development projects in the West Bank and Gaza. This includes managing staff, budgets and relationships with partners/funders and headquarters.

Leadership of the Country Program
• Manage, in coordination with the president, the overall planning and direction of ANERA's operations at the country level.
• Develop and maintain a coherent strategy that contributes to ANERA's strategic objectives.
• Ensure good communication, collaboration and team spirit within teams and between offices.

Business Development
• In collaboration with the vice president, conduct a vibrant new business development effort that cultivates new funding sources and partnerships.
• Assess needs for health, education, economic development, and humanitarian relief activities.
• Research, assess, anticipate and take advantage of funding opportunities fitting the scope of ANERA’s work.
• Oversee and assist the drafting of proposals for submission to bilateral and multilateral donors in coordination with headquarters.

Program Management
• Maintain and improve upon existing program initiatives.
• Negotiate contractual agreements with local partners and consultants and assure the proper implementation of all agreements.
• Assure quality implementation of projects, as well as reporting (financial/narrative) to the respective donors.
• Assume responsibility for proper fiscal management, both project and general operations.
• Assure compliance with U.S. and host government policies, including such issues as taxation, procurement, environmental and especially anti-terrorism regulations.
• Establish systems and standards for assessment and monitoring/evaluation of program against their strategic aims.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the President.

Representation
• Actively promote ANERA in building partnerships with U.S. government, other bilateral and multilateral donors and partner agencies. Take the lead in developing local partnership when appropriate.
• Manage a professional relationship with Palestinian and Israeli governmental and other stakeholder representatives.
• Represent ANERA to local media in coordination with the communications staff and ANERA policies.
• Collaborate with the fundraising and communications team to ensure reports are produced for both internal and external distribution as required by operational contracts signed with donors, including monthly and quarterly reports.

Human Resources and Board Relations
• Provide for the direction, supervision, advancement and evaluation of all ANERA personnel in the Palestinian Territories.
• Support collaboration between national and international staff, ensuring individuals work effectively together as a team to achieve program objectives.
• With the assistance of the chief financial officer, develop and apply policies, terms and conditions following both ANERA guidelines and national employment law.

Administration and Finance
• Ensure that appropriate administrative and financial guidelines and procedures are established, maintained / updated regularly and adhered to by the team as well as any basic systems required in-country.
• Coordinate on financial and administrative matters with the chief financial officer.
• Establish budgetary needs and operate in a cost-effective manner.
• Assist the Board in their duties of oversight as required.
• Maintain regular communications with headquarters.
• Assure compliance with U.S. laws and policies.

Qualifications
The country director should command respect for his or her accomplishments and inspire broad-based, deeply felt commitment to ANERA’s mission, goals and values.
The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and persuasively in a wide variety of settings. S/he should have the proven ability to motivate and inspire a strong and experienced team. ANERA expects a leader who can think critically, flexibly, objectively, analytically and strategically and set priorities with a view to long-term thinking and available resources.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Masters degree, preferably in development. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful record of staff supervision and NGO management.
• Significant background in development and relief work.
• Substantial professional exposure to grant proposals and administration, including budget development and reporting.
• Proven skills in solicitation and cultivation of new business.
• Experience in establishing strategic partnerships.
• Years of experience living in the Middle East, preferably Palestine
• Fluency in English with a working knowledge of Arabic preferred.
• Readiness to relocate and live in Jerusalem

Application Process

Applicants should send their CV and brief letter of interest to:
• Nicole Erickson at: nerickson@anera.org 
• “Country Director – Palestine/DevNetJobs.org” should be clearly stated in the Subject line.

No phone calls will be accepted.

The process will include screening by staff and interviews by various US and West Bank / Gaza Stakeholders.

All applicants will be kept electronically updated of the search progress.