Country Director - Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

About Ayuda en Acción

Ayuda en Acción is an international cooperation organization that works to generate opportunities for people facing poverty, inequality and vulnerability so that they can shape their own present and future. We work alongside communities and local actors, placing people at the centre and promoting sustainable and lasting change.

Our work focuses on creating opportunities through education, decent livelihoods and entrepreneurship, climate resilience, humanitarian action and the protection of rights. We work particularly with children, adolescents and young people, women and communities affected by exclusion, displacement, climate-related shocks and other crises.

Ayuda en Acción has been working in Ethiopia for more than 20 years, supporting vulnerable communities and contributing to sustainable development in a country affected by recurrent humanitarian crises, climate-related shocks, food insecurity and displacement.

In Ethiopia, Ayuda en Acción works to strengthen the resilience and capacities of vulnerable communities and to create sustainable opportunities for their development. The country programme combines humanitarian action and long-term development, supporting communities to improve their livelihoods, food security and access to essential services, while promoting resilience to climate change and recurrent crises. Particular attention is given to children, young people and women, working alongside local communities and partners to ensure sustainable and lasting impact.

Objective:

• The country director will lead an integrated portfolio of humanitarian and development interventions aimed at strengthening community resilience and sustainable livelihoods, improving food security and access to essential services, and expanding opportunities for vulnerable populations, particularly children, young people and women. The position will ensure that programmes are implemented through meaningful community participation, collaboration with local partners and stakeholders, accountability, gender equality, safeguarding and a strong commitment to sustainable impact.

Responsibilities:

General tasks with regard to the AeA position in the Region:

• Represent AeA in Ethiopia in accordance with the principles, mission statement and strategy of AeA.
• Strengthen the partnership between AeA and different stakeholders, based on the AeA Strategy for better positioning of the organization at country and regional levels.
• Take the lead and responsible for the annual update of AeA country vision in an innovative manner, the development of the Country Strategy and the implementation of its associated benchmarks, engagement planning and to support the development of annual country/regional work plan.

Specific tasks with regard to the AeA position in the country:

• Define together with the Head of Programs, in coordination with the HQ in Madrid and other parties, the AeA Strategy for the consolidation or enhancement of the program.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the institutional visibility, strategic alliances and funding opportunities related to the Country Program.
• Ensure the participation of Ayuda en Acción Ethiopia in spaces for coordinating actions with regional initiatives and multi stakeholders on rural development, resilience and food security.
• Manage relationships in country with all relevant stakeholders, such as other NGO’s, Knowledge Institutes, Embassies, ECHO/EU offices, local authorities etc., attending to task force and/or working group meetings as per relevant sector.
• Facilitate sharing and learning across other international and national organizations working in Ethiopia and/or other African countries.
• Work with the Country Representative and other AeA team members in cultivating strategic partnerships or relationships with new/existing donors to further strategic development opportunities.
• Represent Ayuda en Acción Ethiopia at Alliance2015 meetings in the country and in the region.

Specific tasks with regard to the consolidation and strengthening of the Country Program:

• Ensure the application of the policies and the general strategy of Ayuda en Acción in the National Office, in accordance with the HQ in Spain.
• Ensure and support the AeA team in developing innovative project proposals, based on the meaningful participation of the local partners, community and other relevant stakeholders to consolidate and expand the AeA Country Program.
• Take part in the AeA regional meeting to make good use of relevant experiences and expertise from Ethiopia and vice versa.
• Coordinate current and future Ayuda en Acción Ethiopia projects with Spanish donors, especially with the Spanish Agency for Cooperation and Development (AECID) and decentralized cooperation.
• In coordination with the Country Representative, Head of Programs, Head of Finance and other relevant staff and local partners, lead the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to identified needs of the country strategy.
• Support AeA team, field program staff and partner organizations on proposal development and design, including gathering information for concepts and proposals and serving as primary lead or coordinator of proposals and needs assessments.

Specific tasks with regard to the projects management:

• Management and technical support, to ensure high quality of the interventions aiming synergy and complementarity among projects and partners.
• Responsible for the open and effective communication between team members to ensure timely implementation of project activities and reporting to donors.
• Ensure that effective financial administrative systems governing the project activities are in place and are in line with AeA and donor requirements.
• Lead the in-country identification of new intervention possibilities within the framework of the AeA Country Program and Strategy, based on needs and support resource mobilization activities for new opportunities identified.
• Ensure adequate information flow regarding ongoing operations for both management and external communication.

Specific tasks with regard to security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by Ayuda en Acción institutional strategy, policy and Action Plan.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Maintain oversight of the larger context and humanitarian developments in Ethiopia, and ensure AeA HQ is able to concisely remain informed of the pressing humanitarian issues and challenges.

Specific tasks with regard to compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with organizational policies, internal procedures, donor regulations, and applicable national legislation.
• Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of internal control systems and compliance mechanisms.
• Promote a culture of ethics, integrity, accountability, and transparency across all country operations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, financial, legal, and reputational risks.
• Ensure adherence to procurement, finance, human resources, and safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Lead the development, implementation, and review of country-level standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to headquarters, donors, and relevant authorities in line with organizational standards.
• Strengthen organizational governance by ensuring effective documentation, record management, and decision-making processes.
• Liaise with legal advisors and relevant authorities to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure safeguarding, data protection, and security policies are effectively implemented across all programmes and operations.
• Foster a strong risk management culture by regularly reviewing compliance issues and implementing corrective actions where necessary.