Country Director - Syria, Jordan, Yemen

About the role

Mercy Corps is creating a new multi-country office for its Syria, Jordan and Yemen portfolio, and the Country Director is the senior leader accountable for the strategic direction, leadership, management, performance, risk and representation of the portfolio. The role covers Syria, Jordan and Yemen and reports directly to the Vice President of the AMEE region. It is full-time, regular and exempt, with expat salary level 7.

Key responsibilities

• Set and adapt country strategies, align them with regional and global priorities and lead transitions such as scale-up, restructuring or programme closure.
• Lead programmes end-to-end, ensuring they are delivered on scope, time and budget, with safeguarding, accountability to affected populations and Do No Harm embedded.
• Oversee the programme team and support functions (HR, Operations, Finance, Security) and maintain close links with field teams.
• Support the quality, evidence and learning teams, including MEL, and promote an evidence-driven culture.
• Lead business development, build donor relationships and oversee go/no-go decisions.
• Manage country budgets, procurement, logistics and compliance with donor regulations and Mercy Corps policies.
• Represent Mercy Corps at senior levels with donors, governments, partners and other stakeholders.
• Lead the Senior Management Team, manage performance and ensure workforce planning and succession planning.

Required profile

• BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field; MA/S or equivalent preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership in international relief and development, including senior country or multi-country leadership; prior Country Director experience strongly preferred.
• Experience leading complex, geographically dispersed portfolios and in the MENA region.
• Experience managing significant budgets and leading senior teams, including remotely.
• Ability to operate in insecure, politically sensitive or rapidly changing environments.

Required skills

• Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian and development system and donors (USG, FCDO, ECHO, UN agencies, foundations).
• Excellent oral and written English; Arabic is an asset.