Job: Country Director Palestine, DanChurchAid (DCA)/NorwegianChurchAid(NCA) Joint Country Programme

We are seeking our new Country Director to lead the DCA/NCA Palestine Office. If you dream of leading a professional team of humanitarian and development experts working with Palestinian and Israeli civil society organisations in a challenging Middle East environment, this job is for you! 

DCA/NCA are working together to make positive change in Palestine, through the implementation of a Joint Country Programme.

The Joint Country Programme comprises a diverse portfolio of activities under the three pillars of Saving Lives, Building Resilient Communities and Fighting Extreme Inequality with strong elements of capacity building and international advocacy. Following the Israel-Gaza war that started on 7th October 2023, our humanitarian engagement has grown significantly and so has the size of the Country Office. Intervention areas planned under our Gaza response include Cash (Community-led responses, GCT, E-MPCA), Food Security, WASH, Humanitarian Mine Action, Protection / GBV as well as International Advocacy 

The position entails the overall responsibility of leading and managing the joint programme, which has a budget of around USD 7 million, 15 partners, and 18 staff working in different locations.  

We seek a Scandinavian speaking Country Director with analytical skills, a strategic mindset, extensive humanitarian and development experience, and strong leadership skills. Working in partnership is core to DCA/NCA, strengthening cooperation with national partners, donors, faith-based actors, international organisations, and ACT agencies. You will contribute to motivating a strong team of Palestinians and expatriates based in East Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza, Amman, and Brussels, ensuring staff well-being in these very challenging times. 

Main Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the joint country programme and further develop it in accordance with DCA’s and NCA’s strategies and priorities.
• Oversight of all aspects of the country programme, including all financial and administrative matters and staff. 
• Represent DCA and NCA and proactively build and strengthen relationships in Palestine towards embassies, donors, partners, authorities and other stakeholders. 
• Meet DCA/NCA organisational performance benchmarks and related deadlines.
• Engage in proactive communication and media work with constituencies in Denmark and Norway.
• Liaise with institutions, forums, donors, UN Clusters, constituencies in Denmark/Norway and DCA/NCA resource persons.
• Identify and attract new donors, maintain existing donor relationships and ensure financial compliance with donor requirements.
• Overall responsible for risk and security management. 

Key Qualifications

• Master’s degree or other relevant education in the social sciences or related fields, work experience within development or humanitarian responses.
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership and management experience in complex and dynamic environments and an ability to lead a large and diverse team.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership experience in development and humanitarian programming in complex working environments
• Analytical and strategic thinking, with a commitment to a long-term development process.
• Experience with and strong understanding of international advocacy approaches.
• Understanding of International Humanitarian Law, IHRL and their applications.
• Knowledge and experience with Israel-Palestinian political, cultural, and economic spheres preferred.
• Experience working with faith-based organisations and religious actors
• Strong negotiation skills, diplomatic tact and ability to nurture relations
• Good communication skills, fluency in English – verbal and written
• Understanding the Danish and Norwegian contexts and policies related to Israel/ Palestine.
• Speaking a Scandinavian language is required. Applicants that do not have this qualification will not be considered. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

We offer

This is a three-year contract starting as soon as possible. The duty station will be East Jerusalem, when the situation allows (currently relevant work permissions are on hold). Until then, the position will be based either in Copenhagen at the DCA Head Office or in Amman, Jordan. If based in Amman or East Jerusalem it is a family duty station, with a spouse and no children. The compensation package will vary depending on the location. 

For further information please visit our website, http://www.danchurchaid.org or contact

Cecilie Bjørnskov-Johansen, Programme Director [email protected] +45 29699132.

How to apply
Please upload your motivated application and CV no later than 1 September 2024.

Applications sent by mail or e-mail will not be considered.

First Interviews will take place 16/17 September 2024 additionally second interviews will take place 23 September 2024. There will be a personality test between the first and second round of interviews with a feedback session 20 September 2024. 

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us. Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Code of Conduct, Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.
 

Deadline: 01/09/2024

Contact person: Cecilie Bjørnskov Johansen, Programme Director

Place of work: East Jerusalem

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