Head of Mission – CAR Full Time

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Head of Mission

Code: SR-46-9502

Duty station: Bangui

Starting date: 14/04/2025

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Regional Director

Supervision of: Mission department coordinators

Type of Duty Station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

The Central African Republic (CAR) is experiencing recurrent conflict, political use and extreme poverty. The third most fragile and violent country in Africa (Global Peace Index, 2020), it has high levels of poverty (the World Bank, 2020, estimates that 70% of the population lives below the international poverty line of 1.90 USD/day).

According to the HNO report, 2.8 million people, i.e. 46% of the Central African population, became extremely vulnerable in 2024, to the extent that humanitarian assistance alone is insufficient for their well-being. One in five Central Africans is either internally displaced or a refugee, mainly in neighboring countries (OCHA, 2024). Around 2.5 million people (41 percent of the population analyzed) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or higher) between April 2024 and August 2024, including almost 521,000 people in phase 4 (emergency) (IPC, 2023).

Security is still volatile throughout the country.

General purpose of the position

The Head of Mission represents INTERSOS in the country and acts on behalf of the Managing Director, providing leadership and decision-making on INTERSOS operations, ensuring strategically consistent mission direction and compliance with organization and donor regulations. The Head of Mission promotes effective advocacy, maintains team morale, safety, and well-being, while managing resources, delegating specific tasks as necessary, and maintaining oversight and accountability.

Main responsibilities and tasks:

Strategy and vision

• Lead the development and updating of the country strategy, within the framework of the overall INTERSOS strategic plan, values and principles.
• Lead the development of additional operational activities based on the results of the review and evaluation.
• In collaboration with the regional office, adjust mission structure based on context analysis, safety assessment, planned operational response and available resources.
• Plan, organize and control resources to achieve mission and program objectives.
• In collaboration with the Program Manager, lead the development of the country program in line with strategic objectives and evaluation results, help identify new funding sources and maintain an adequate portfolio.
• Explore and promote strategic partnerships that integrate initiatives and leverage the organization’s impact in the country.
• Explore funding opportunities with institutional and private donors at national level and support at regional or global level for the country concerned.

Representation and advocacy

• Represent the organization and manage relations with the authorities, ensuring the smooth and timely implementation of planned interventions and preserving impartiality and independence.
• Ensure and monitor the organization’s governmental recognition procedures, in compliance with the formalities of the host country.
• Maintain productive communication with donors and ensure that assessed needs are communicated in order to have an impact on donor priorities.
• Represent INTERSOS in relevant forums.
• Define, develop and lead the country’s advocacy strategy and represent INTERSOS in national and international media and participate in community activities as appropriate.

Staff management

• Ensure that the country management team is effective, mutually supportive and sufficiently involved in key decision-making processes.
• In coordination with the Head of Operations, guide and oversee the staff performance process.
• Ensure compliance with organizational values, Code of Ethics, Organization Management and Control Model and INTERSOS procedures.
• Maintain high ethical standards, promote teamwork and ensure a productive work environment.
• Empower staff to achieve organizational goals and work as a highly functional and cooperative team.

Finance, logistics and procurement

• In collaboration with the Head of Operations, define and oversee the overall financial management of the mission, striving to ensure financial sustainability and assume responsibility for the management of mission funds (NGO budget).
• Ensure that allocated resources are managed efficiently and transparently.
• In collaboration with the Head of Operations, oversee the definition and implementation of all procurement, logistics and ITC strategies, ensuring the relevance and coherence of logistics and procurement systems, the adequacy of resources made available and compliance with INTERSOS standards, protocols and procedures in order to foster mission development and optimize project impact.

Safety and Security

• Support the Security and Access Coordinator and Area Coordinator while assuming ultimate responsibility for security, including the development and validation of the country security plan and ensuring compliance with procedures, monitoring of context development, analysis and formulation of recommendations.
• Interact regularly with the regional office on security issues.
• Assume final responsibility for all decisions concerning security in the country.

Accountability and quality control

• Continuously assess, analyze and evaluate the impact of the program and country operations, including through periodic visits to areas of intervention, in collaboration with the Head of Programs and Head of Operations.
• Oversee program quality and impact in line with established strategic objectives and related indicators
• Oversee program reporting, ensuring compliance with INTERSOS policies and procedures, donor regulations and national requirements.

Required profile and experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, development, international political economy or other relevant field.

Professional Experience

• Eight years experience in management positions in humanitarian contexts.

Professional Requirements

• Ability to manage a large team;
• Solid knowledge of financial management;
• Experience working with major grants and international donors;
• Essential computer skills (Word, Excel and Internet).

Languages

• Working language French.
• Knowledge of English desirable.
• Local language (Sango) is an asset.

Personal Requirements

• Good organizational skills;
• Leadership, teamwork and cooperation;
• Behavioral flexibility;
• Negotiation and decision-making skills;
• Diplomatic, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Understanding of principles, standards and best practices in humanitarian operations;
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles.

Tagged as: Central African Republic, Intersos