Regional Representative, West Africa

1. Provide leadership in developing and managing country programs that are consistent with the agency strategy and regional/country priorities.

2. Support country teams to identify potential partners and projects for future opportunities.

3. Facilitate the integration of development, vulnerability reduction, and emergency and early recovery responses in the regional/country program and guide the work in the region/country to respond to emergencies.

4. Apply LWR's Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework to ensure quality project design, implementation and evaluation. Report to LWR headquarters on lessons learned and use that information to improve practice and to inform the next planning cycle. Promote learning among partners in the region, across regional offices, and for LWR as a whole.

5. Apply LWR procedures for new project design, project reporting, project modifications, and project close-outs.

6. Backstop country teams in providing support to partners to strengthen their capacity to design and manage high quality programs.

B.     Operational Leadership

1. Ensure that the regional office and country offices are in compliance with host government rules and regulations regarding registration, taxation, payroll/human resources and reporting. Open and close offices as necessary, under the supervision/guidance of the Regional Director.

2. Inform the Regional Director of all changes in operating environment (risks, opportunities, etc.) that may affect staff security, operations, approved projects, annual operating plan or the overall strategy. Develop strategies to mitigate risks.

3. Ensure that the regional office and country programs have adequate and updated security and safety plans. Ensure all staff are familiar and comply with LWR's safety and security procedures and protocols.

4. Ensure that Country Directors and their respective teams comply with donor regulations for all projects funded by restricted grants.

5. Maintain relationships with local legal counsel to ensure review of contracts, and to ensure that LWR is aware of and in compliance with all changes in rules that affect our operations in the countries where we work.

6. Oversee and monitor annual budgeting, cash flow management, forecasting and expenditure for the regional and country offices.

7. Establish priorities and plans with the regional finance and administration team to ensure high quality budget management, financial monitoring, audit exercises and addressing audit findings for the regional and country offices, following generally accepted accounting principles.

C.    Team Leadership

1. Oversee and develop a strong regional team organized around operational outcomes and priorities.

2. Supervise and conduct annual performance planning and review of the regional team and the Country Directors.

3. Support concrete development opportunities that enable team members to enhance their skills and expertise.

4. Oversee hiring and termination of regional staff and country directors as necessary, in coordination with the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director.

D. Planning and Reporting

1. Contribute to the strategic planning processes of LWR globally, and associated planning and reporting required, including supporting country directors in the development and execution of country strategies. Ensure LWR's objective strategies are reflected in country strategies and project development.

2. Oversee the development of Annual Operating Plan and associated budget for West Africa, in line with guidance provided by the Finance and Administration Department and the Regional Director.

3. Compile and submit quarterly regional reports (minimum) to Regional Director.

4. Ensure country staff compile and submit high quality, timely narrative and financial reports and modification requests as needed for projects funded by LWR or institutional donors for review by relevant headquarters staff.

E. New Business Development

1. Work with the country directors to develop an annual new business development strategy that establishes targets and priorities for the pursuit of funding from institutional donors for the West Africa region as a whole and each country program.

2. Monitor changes in the donor landscape and recommend adjustments (including program and geographic focus) as necessary.

F. Representation

1. Identify and strengthen relationships with people, organizations, and institutions in the region and in the U.S. that can enrich regional programs and help achieve LWR's strategy, and guide Country Directors and Program Managers in their networking and representation roles. Relevant institutions include with other international NGOs, multilateral institutions, donor organizations, local universities, research institutions, governmental institutions and think.

2. Participate in relevant networks, forums, and other coordination and learning spaces.

3. Represent and/or backstop the Country Directors in representing the regional and country programs to host government authorities, to U.S. Embassy and USAID, and to regional representatives of the Lutheran World Federation/Department of World Service, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

G. Policy and Advocacy

1. Work with partners, like-minded civil society organizations and other international NGOs to develop and implement a local advocacy component of the regional/country strategy.

2. Work with the Public Policy unit to guide and strengthen LWR's advocacy work in the US by sharing timely information from partners and about developments in the region/country.

3. Work with LWR headquarters and country teams to identify needs and opportunities for national or local advocacy in the context of emergencies.

H. Conduct any other duties assigned by the Regional Director

1. Deep commitment to LWR's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.
2. Post-baccalaureate degree or equivalent experience in development, international relations, social sciences, economics/finance, regional studies, agriculture/forestry or other relevant discipline,
3. Demonstrated ability to manage an office, program and budget and to supervise staff. Progressively responsible professional experience, totaling a minimum of 10 years' experience designing, managing and evaluating relief and development programs. Minimum of 3 years' experience supervising staff.
4. Highly pro-active and able to perform with minimum supervision. Strong organizational and planning skills.
5. Excellent intercultural and interpersonal skills, including experience in working with different cultures. Ability to build and manage a diverse team of staff and with partners from a range of socio-economic, ethnic, and institutional backgrounds, including religious and secular institutions.
6. Familiarity with key development, economic and social justice issues at a practical and policy level. Practical and intellectual familiarity with the specific countries where LWR works in West Africa including minimum of 5 years of work in the region.
7. Demonstrated successful experience in fund mobilization with institutional and/or private sector donors, such as USAID, US State Department, UN agencies, bilateral or multilateral donors, foundations or corporations.
8. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel software.
9. Fluency in French and English and at least one of the languages spoken in the region, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
10. Ability to travel at least 35 percent of his/her time. Ability to travel at least once a year to the United States and/or other countries outside of West Africa.
11. Citizens of the West African Community preferred.