COUNTRY DIRECTOR, ZAMBIA JOB DESCRIPTION

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Send a Cow (SAC) is a UK-based non-government organisation set up in 1988 and now working in 8 African countries. Its vision is a world without hunger and malnutrition and its mission is to enable disadvantaged families in rural Africa to attain food and livelihood security by developing sustainable agricultural systems which integrate crops and livestock with social development. SAC has been working in the Eastern Province of Zambia in partnership with Heifer International for 6 years, and following a recent evaluation which testified to the work s impact, this collaboration has recently been extended for a further three years. To build on and support this partnership and to develop new areas, SAC has now embarked on an exciting expansion phase and the establishment of a fully fledged programme. This includes registration with the Government of Zambia as an international NGO; the creation of a SAC Zambia programme by developing further collaborations, particularly in Northern Province; and the opening a country programme office in Lusaka. This work will be lead by the country director, who will have overall responsibility for the whole of Send a Cow s work in Zambia. In time it is hoped that the country director will also explore the potential for regional expansion beyond Zambia into countries such as Malawi and Zimbabwe. The country director will report to the Send a Cow Director of Programmes and Collaborations in the UK and is aligned with a programme co-ordinator in the UK office, who also reports to the Director of Programmes and Collaborations within the International Programme Team. Responsibilities Strategic leadership and organisation To research, design, develop and lead the implementation of a SAC Zambia strategic plan, in liaison with staff, partners, government and the UK office as appropriate. To establish an office and recruit staff commensurate with the needs of the programme, including organisational policies, systems and procedures in line with SAC s vision, mission, values and organisational strategic plan.

2 To develop and maintain on an annual basis, a three-year rolling strategic plan and budget. To ensure results-based information management systems are in place and used by the organisation and implementing partners and to manage the organisation s efforts and resources systematically for expected results/impacts, learning and accountability. To monitor and report to the UK office on all SAC Zambia performance and financial matters. To promote approaches to fundraising which ensure all staff take opportunities for networking, monitoring, evaluation and reporting which increase the programme s fundraising prospects. To ensure that SAC Zambia and its partners develop a learning culture, document best practices and draw lessons, integrating them into organisational and programme management. To ensure farmers and partners needs are accurately assessed and met where appropriate. In the medium to longer-term, to explore opportunities for regional expansion beyond Zambia, on a scale and scope to be determined. To carry out any other tasks assigned by the UK office. Team Leadership To recruit, build and lead a staff team commensurate with the programme s needs and Send a Cow s values, ensuring decisions are followed through including the development of a senior management team when appropriate. To manage consultants who provide expertise on functions not covered by the staff. To delegate appropriately to staff, putting in place agreed goals and measures for how achievement of these will be implemented, measured and monitored. To mentor, support and equip staff to help them achieve their goals.

3 Finances To ensure effective financial and resource management including preparation of annual budget and accounts. To ensure that the financial policies and procedures are in line with relevant statutory provisions, with generally accepted accounting standards and with SAC s established financial procedures. To ensure SAC Zambia has an appropriate strategy for generating and raising funds to finance its approved strategic plans. To ensure funds are managed to achieve value for money and in a transparent manner which can be explained to donors and supporters. Human resources To ensure that the organisation formulates and implements appropriate human resource policies and procedures in conjunction with the UK office. To ensure the human resource policies and procedures are in line with relevant statutory provisions. To ensure that all staff are motivated, empowered and equipped to do their work. Representing and networking To represent SAC to other organisations, government, partners and donors within Zambia and more widely in the region To network with other organisations for purposes of advantageous collaboration, best practices and information sharing. To support appropriate lobbying and advocacy activities. Spiritual leadership To provide Christian leadership, spiritual vision and direction within the organisation. To set standards of Christian leadership and lead by example. To lead and participate in regular prayers.

4 Accountability The following are the main criteria for assessing the country director s performance: Timely delivery to the UK office on a monthly, quarterly, six-monthly and annual basis as appropriate of the following: Programme reports Financial reports Summary of projects reports Achievement of approved strategic objectives against agreed indicators. Identification and acquisition of sufficient funding for the implementation of the agreed programme objectives. Maintenance of expenditure within the approved budget.

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION Experience and knowledge Essential At least 5 years experience in a senior management position Working knowledge of a significant sized local and/or international NGO Relevant Bachelor s degree Experience of motivating a multi-disciplinary team Desirable Experience of working at grassroots level in rural development Experience of working in livestock, agricultural extension and/or social development projects Relevant Master s degree and/or MBA Experience of promoting accountability and stewardship of resources Skills and experience of budgeting Successful record of project proposal development and submission for funding Experience and success in working sensitively with community, government and religious organisations Skills and experience in participatory strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation Skills and abilities Essential Fluent spoken and written English Strong communication skills Desirable Spoken fluency in one or more of the main Zambian languages Strong interpersonal skills Ability to understand financial information and to provide direction and oversight to the finance manager Strong numeracy.

6 Networking and representing skills Fundraising and negotiating skills Strong monitoring and evaluation skills Strategic leadership skills Coaching and mentoring skills Ability to provide active Christian spiritual leadership and ensure our Christian values are integrated into the country programme Report writing skills Understanding of IT applications Personal qualities Essential Desirable Proactive and visionary leadership style Willingness and commitment to share information and promote transparency Results orientated Completer-finisher Flexible Ability and willingness to travel in Africa and occasionally to UK Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities June 2013