Job Description

About IsraAID:

IsraAID is an international non-governmental humanitarian aid organization based in Israel. Since we were founded in 2001, our teams have worked in emergency and long-term development settings in more than 60 countries around the world. IsraAID responds to emergencies and helps communities affected by crises rebuild their lives and their futures together. From natural disasters to refugee crises to global pandemics, we mobilize quickly and collaborate with communities at the deepest level, accompanying them on the journey to recovery and long-term resilience.

About IsraAID Vanuatu:

IsraAID has operated in Vanuatu since 2015, following its response to Tropical Cyclone Pam. Over the years, the organization has expanded from emergency response to implementing long-term programming in WASH, protection, and health and nutrition. IsraAID’s approach focuses on strengthening resilience through sustainable and inclusive solutions, hands-on capacity strengthening, and meaningful community ownership, while working in close partnership with community, provincial, and national leaders to address locally identified priorities.

IsraAID is looking for a Country Director to lead the Vanuatu Country Office’s projects and operations towards sustainability and growth. The Country Director will oversee all IsraAID operations in the country, leading programme planning, design, implementation, development and administration; staff supervision and capacity development; effective and efficient financial management; and donor and legal compliance. The ideal candidate will combine humanitarian aid experience with management and administration expertise and a commitment to working in partnership with communities in Vanuatu.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Country Vision, Strategy, and Representation

• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of the country strategy, ensuring programming remains relevant, evidence-based, financially viable, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Ensure IsraAID is represented in all relevant national, provincial, and humanitarian coordination mechanisms and forums.
• Oversee the dissemination of IsraAID’s mission, core values and principles at the country level and lead, coordinate and mentor the country programme and its staff in line with the country strategy and philosophy.
• Stay informed about socio-economic and political developments relevant to IsraAID Vanuatu’s mandate, and ensure the country strategy responds to changes in the operating environment.
• Ensure annual budgets, programme documents, and work plans are developed and reviewed in line with IsraAID’s planning processes and timelines.
• Lead the development and strengthening of strategic partnerships with government, civil society, community-based organizations, and local stakeholders, promoting locally led approaches and sustainable capacity strengthening.

Programme Quality, Impact, and Learning

• Ensure high-quality, evidence-based programming across all sectors, promoting effectiveness, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic oversight of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) systems, ensuring data and evidence inform programme design, implementation, adaptation, and decision-making.
• Promote programming approaches that strengthen community resilience, local capacities, and sustainable systems, ensuring interventions contribute to long-term outcomes beyond project implementation periods.
• Ensure programmes are designed and implemented with clear sustainability, capacity-strengthening, and transition strategies that support long-term community ownership and resilience.
• Coordinate programme reviews and evaluations, and ensure agreed actions arising from findings are implemented.
• Foster a culture of learning and innovation, ensuring programme results, evaluation findings, and community feedback are systematically used to improve programme quality and impact.

Human Resource Management and Staff Development

• Provide leadership support to country staff and promote best practices in human resources management.
• Oversee effective and appropriate staff recruitment, orientation, appraisal, remuneration, and development practices at all levels to support the effective management and development of IsraAID’s staff.
• Provide coaching and mentoring advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.
• Promote and maintain a positive and collaborative working environment across IsraAID’s teams and offices in Vanuatu.

Funding and Grants Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with government institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, local partners, regional bodies, and international stakeholders to support funding opportunities and programme collaboration.
• Lead country-level business development and resource mobilization efforts, identifying strategic funding opportunities and cultivating relationships with existing and prospective donors.
• Oversee the development and timely submission of high-quality proposals in response to relevant calls for proposals.
• Facilitate and coordinate donor visits, donor meetings, discussions, and evaluations as necessary.
• Promote a culture of compliance throughout the Country Office, maintaining a clear understanding of donor requirements and ensuring adherence to them.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Ensure that all financial and administrative procedures are in accordance with IsraAID’s established policies and maintain the financial and legal integrity of the organization.
• Provide strategic oversight of the annual country budget, ensuring effective budget planning, monitoring, forecasting, and utilization in line with organizational priorities, donor requirements, and approved work plans.
• Oversee the timely preparation and submission of high-quality narrative and financial reports to government authorities, donors, and IsraAID HQ, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and compliance with organizational requirements and applicable grant or contract agreements.
• Oversee inventory verification and ensure the efficient and effective management of organizational assets.

Security and Risk Management

• Maintain overall accountability for country-level security and risk management, stay informed about relevant developments, and maintain regular communication with national and international safety and security institutions.
• Oversee the development and regular review of country safety and security plans, protocols, and contingency plans in collaboration with HQ.
• Lead preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during emergencies, ensuring timely decision-making, effective coordination, and alignment with IsraAID's emergency response mechanisms.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as the primary representative of IsraAID in Vanuatu, safeguarding the organization's reputation, values, and strategic relationships.
• Ensure staff are continuously engaged and aligned with IsraAID’s global vision, mission, values, strategic directions and business plan.
• Actively contribute to IsraAID’s reputation and role as a national, international and regional organization.
• Support and maintain effective governance relationships with the IsraAID Vanuatu Board, including strategic updates, risk management, compliance matters, and organizational development.
• Contribute to IsraAID’s international activities as required, including participation in task forces, training courses, and conferences.
• Promote IsraAID’s organizational identity, culture, and capacity to all stakeholders and partners and ensure IsraAID remains relevant to the changing humanitarian and development needs in the country.

Compliance & Ethics

• Understanding of and commitment to the following principles: cultural sensitivity, local ownership, sustainability, inclusiveness, local partnership, non-discrimination, do-no-harm, and apolitical approach; codes of conduct against sexual exploitation and abuse; and against child exploitation and modern slavery.
• Commitment to abide by IsraAID’s and the UN’s codes of conduct and principles.
• Commitment to abide by IsraAID’s security policy.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMPETENCIES:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences, Public Health, Public Policy, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or another relevant field. An equivalent combination of education and extensive senior leadership experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in humanitarian and/or international development settings, including at least 5 years in senior leadership or country-level management roles with demonstrated responsibility for strategy, people management, budget oversight, donor engagement, and organizational leadership.
• Knowledge of and experience in emergency contexts, particularly protection responses, with strong familiarity with relevant IASC guidelines for interventions in humanitarian settings.
• Practical experience in programme design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, with an understanding of donor and contract requirements and their implications for programme management.
• Substantial experience in the financial management of significant budgets.
• Proven expertise in leading fundraising, cultivating and securing new donors, developing successful proposals, and managing grants; significant experience with institutional donors, including UN donors; and familiarity with international coordination structures.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing complex organizational structures and multicultural teams.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to consistently meet tight deadlines.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
• Experience working in Pacific island contexts or geographically dispersed island settings, including emergency and long-term development programming, would be a strong advantage.

TERMS:

• Contract period: 1 year (extendable)
• Location: Port Vila, Vanuatu, with frequent travel between the islands.
• Reports to: Director of Regions

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has zero tolerance towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declarations and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.