Country Director

About Goal
GOAL has responded to the world’s major humanitarian crises since its founding in 1977, working with vulnerable communities in 13 countries across the globe with a dedicated team of personnel. While GOAL continues to be an agile first-responder to humanitarian crises, it is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to help them survive crises and support them on the road to recovery.

About Our Programme
GOAL has operated in Ethiopia since the 1980’s and is supported by a dedicated team of approx. 500 staff delivering a diverse portfolio of donor-funded humanitarian and development programmes. Goal’s office is based in Addis Ababa, with field operations across 60 districts in 8 regions and two city administrations: Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, South Ethiopia, Tigray, Addis Ababa, and Hawassa.

Our programs address critical sectors, including Health & Nutrition, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, Safeguarding, Protection, and Emergency Shelter. Our work is made possible through the support of valued institutional and philanthropic partners, including Irish Aid, the European Union, UNHCR, unicef, OCHA and others.

JOB PURPOSE
The Country Director (CD) provides strategic leadership, management oversight, and representation for GOAL in Ethiopia. Based in Addis Ababa and reporting to the Regional Director, the CD leads the development and implementation of the country strategy and has overall accountability for GOAL's programmes, operations, people, and resources in Addis Ababa. The role ensures alignment with GOAL's global strategic objectives, donor requirements, organisational policies, and humanitarian principles.

As GOAL's principal representative in Ethiopia, the Country Director leads the Country Management Team and is accountable for the performance, growth, compliance, sustainability, security, and reputation of the country programme. The role is responsible for delivering high-quality, impactful programming while maintaining the highest standards of governance, safeguarding, accountability, risk management, and operational excellence.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for GOAL Ethiopia, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Country Strategy, ensuring alignment with GOAL's global priorities.
• Lead the Country Management Team and ensure effective governance, decision-making, and organisational accountability.
• Monitor the operating environment and adapt strategies to emerging opportunities and risks.
• Maintain effective communication with and provide regular strategic, operational, financial, and risk updates to the Regional Director and GOAL headquarters, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and timely escalation of critical issues.

Programme Leadership and Quality

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of all programmes and projects.
• Ensure programmes are delivered in accordance with donor requirements, organisational standards, budgets, and timelines.
• Strengthen humanitarian preparedness and emergency response capacity.
• Promote programme quality, learning, innovation, and effective MEAL systems.

Business Development and Resource Mobilisation

• Lead the growth and diversification of GOAL's programme portfolio in Ethiopia.
• Identify and secure new funding opportunities in alignment with strategic priorities.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with donors, government, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the development of high-quality funding proposals and partnerships.

Financial and Operational Management

• Ensure sound management of finance, administration, procurement, logistics, and support functions.
• Oversee financial planning, resource allocation, compliance, and value for money.
• Maintain effective systems, controls, and risk management processes to support programme delivery and organisational growth.

People Leadership and Organisational Development

• Lead, develop, and support a diverse and high-performing workforce.
• Ensure effective talent management, succession planning, and staff development.
• Foster an inclusive workplace culture that promotes wellbeing, accountability, and professional growth.
• Lead by example in upholding GOAL's values, Code of Conduct, safeguarding commitments, and ethical standards, ensuring these are embedded across all country operations and programmes.

Safety, Security, Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Hold overall accountability for the safety, security, and wellbeing of staff, assets, and operations.
• Ensure effective security management, emergency preparedness, business continuity, and safeguarding systems.
• Lead organisational responses to major incidents and emerging risks.

Representation, Advocacy and Partnerships

• Serve as GOAL's principal representative and spokesperson in Ethiopia.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, communities, and private sector stakeholders.
• Represent GOAL in relevant coordination and policy forums.
• Promote GOAL's reputation, influence, and advocacy objectives at country level.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Country Director is accountable for:

• Achievement of country strategy objectives.
• Delivery of high-quality programmes that meet donor and organisational requirements.
• Financial stewardship and organisational sustainability.
• Growth and diversification of the country portfolio.
• Legal, regulatory and donor compliance.
• Safety, security and safeguarding of staff and assets.
• Effective leadership and development of personnel.
• GOAL's reputation and external relationships in Ethiopia.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• At least 5 years' experience serving as Country Director, Deputy Country Director, or in a comparable senior leadership role within complex humanitarian and development settings.
• Significant experience in successfully bidding for large-scale, multi-annual complex grants.
• Experience managing institutional donor grants and liaising with government officials and a variety of donors.
• Experience managing multi-million Euro programme portfolios and leading large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience leading multicultural teams and working in fragile or developing contexts.
• Proven track record of securing significant institutional funding and cultivating strategic donor relationships.
• Familiarity with the NGO Red Cross Code of Conduct, the People in Aid code and CHS standards.
• Willingness to regularly travel to programme sites.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Typical competencies for a Country Director include:

• Leadership - Provides strategic direction and inspires teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• People Management - Builds and develops high-performing teams through coaching, delegation, and accountability.
• Strategic Thinking - Anticipates opportunities and risks and develops effective long-term responses.
• Decision Making - Makes timely, evidence-based decisions in complex environments.
• Relationship Building and Influence - Establishes credibility and builds effective partnerships with donors, government, and stakeholders.
• Communication - Communicates clearly and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Financial and Commercial Acumen - Understands financial management, resource allocation, and value for money principles.
• Risk Management - Identifies, assesses, and mitigates operational, programmatic, financial, and security risks.
• Integrity and Accountability - Demonstrates ethical leadership and commitment to safeguarding, compliance, and organisational values.

GOAL commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We foster an inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued, we are particularly eager to receive applications from women (and other underrepresented groups). We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. 
All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Accountability within GOAL
A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

Safeguarding
Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.