Roving Country Director

We are currently recruiting a Roving Country Director to join our Program Implementation team.

This is a remote homebased position with frequent international travel to Relief International countries of operation.

The role is an initial 12-month fixed-term international position, with possibility of extension. Contract terms, salary and benefits will be discussed at HR Interview stage.

At Relief International, we are committed to building a representative, inclusive and authentic workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates from minoritized backgrounds those who bring lived experience of the contexts in which we work.

This role is classified as requiring advanced pre-employment checks.

About Relief International

Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. We work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience.

About the Opportunity

As a member of the Program Implementation Department, you will be home-based with availability to deploy at short notice to any of RI's countries, including remote and insecure locations, according to RI strategic priorities. The majority of deployment assignments will be for a Country Director role to fill gap in coverage (ie, between CD-ships, maternity leave, extended medical leave, etc). While priority will be as gap-filling for Country Director role, other leadership roles may also be filled as needed, including but not limited to: Deputy Country Director, Program Director, Support Director, etc. Gap filling at regional level and/or leadership in the start- up of new country missions and/or large-scale projects will also be required if needed.

The Roving Country Director is a strategic role in ensuring continuity in management, mobilization and effective scale up and quality of RI programs globally. Roving Country Director will be part of the Program Implementation Department and may be requested to participate in organization-driven initiatives as relevant when not on deployment assignment. It is anticipated that this position will be deployed up to 80% of the year.

Your Responsibilities

This role includes the following responsibilities.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of country programs, ensuring effective planning, budgeting, and delivery within the project cycle framework.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with donors, government agencies, humanitarian actors, and community stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels.
• Mobilize donor resources and develop high-quality proposals to secure funding opportunities aligned with organizational strategy and country needs.
• Oversee financial management of the Country Office, ensuring sound budget planning, audit readiness, and adaptability to changing contexts.
• Safeguard staff and operations by leading risk assessment, security planning, and compliance with organizational safety protocols.
• Drive continuous improvement in program performance, identifying and addressing gaps to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Champion ethics and compliance by implementing training, communication, and systems that foster a culture of integrity and accountability.

About You

You will bring the following experience and skills.

• Track record of achievement in a previous, similar role. Proven field experience in team management, having served as Country Director or equivalent previously; finance and administration; donor relations; and inter/intra-agency communications in progressively senior roles
• Demonstrated record in collaborating with local governments, rural communities, other NGOs U.N. Agencies and other international emergency response and development actors.
• Experienced in representation on a national, regional and international level to donors, partners, relevant government bodies, the media and members of the humanitarian community.
• Demonstrated project cycle management skills, inclusive of work plan/ timeline/ deliverables/ and budget tracking and course correction.
• Willingness to travel, sometimes at short notice, as required for the successful implementation of the role.
• Ability to work and manage a highly complex security situation, emergency context, programs in remote and unstable environments.
• Strong understanding and experience in risk management.
• Strong preference given to candidates with prior experience in RI countries of operation.
• Excellent written and spoken English; French and/or Arabic is a strong advantage.

Research shows that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs, unless they meet every single requirement. If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't align with every criteria described, we encourage you to apply anyway, you could be exactly what we need

How To Apply

To apply for this post, click on the "Apply" button in the job advert page.

• You will be asked to upload a CV and Cover Letter.
• The cover letter should be one page, and explain why you are interested in this post with Relief International and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Closing Date

22 December 2025.

As a humanitarian organization, Relief International is committed to the safeguarding of all those we come into contact with through our work. We are committed to the core humanitarian principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Relief International expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International include a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks.