Head of Country Office Kosovo 

Terre des hommes Mission in Kosovo is seeking to recruit a Head of Country Office based in Kosovo.

Startdate       September 2023

Contract        One-year, local full-time contract, renewable. 

Salary             Paid in Euro, Net income ranging from 2600 to 3431 Euro depending on skills and experience and in line with similar position grades in the organization 

Location        Prishtina with frequent travel to other regions in Kosovo

Deadline for applications: 06 September 2023/until position is filled 

BACKGROUND

Foundation Terre des Hommes Lausanne in Kosovo (hereafter TdhK) is a Non-Governmental Organisation working consistently on strengthening the national and local child protection system, to ensure qualitative delivery of services including inclusion of socially marginalized groups. Areas of expertise range from direct psycho-social interventions with vulnerable children, their family, and communities to empowerment of local, regional, to strengthening national level policies and institutions, with a view of delivering child-sensitive services through adequate structures, policies, standards, budgeting and procedures. 

Through the programs focused on Child Protection, Migration and Antitrafficking and Juvenile Justice, Tdh Kosovo has established a collaborative ecosystem that spans across governmental bodies, international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society entities. This analytical narrative explores the diverse partners and donors that make Tdh Kosovo's impactful work possible.

Tdh Kosovo through its programs supports institutions in strengthening the child protection system through: a) engaging in a policy interventions and/or dialogue with Ministers, Parliament Committees, Academia and other important stakeholders: b) supporting efforts to make the Law on Child Protection (CP) and Juvenile Justice Code operational, by developing all sublegal acts deriving from them; c) supporting the capacities of the structures under the national Child protection system and d) piloting new social service policies with a view of lesson learning and/or replication.

Tdh Kosovo adheres to the programmatic framework established by Tdh Lausanne and operates under the operational management oversight of Tdh Lausanne.

Kosovo Context

In Kosovo, a resilient and youthful nation, comprehensive solutions are essential to address multifaceted challenges. Vulnerabilities faced by marginalized communities, especially the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian groups, underscore the need to tackle issues from child protection to social inclusion and public health. Tdh Kosovo, a significant player, plays a crucial role in fortifying the country's child protection system.

The child protection landscape in Kosovo stands at a pivotal juncture. While the nation values its children as invaluable assets, the national child protection systems is work in progress which in the meantime exposes vulnerable children to risks. Children in street situations face significant challenges. The 2018 Child Pact Index 2.0 emphasized the urgent need for tailored services, including shelters, counseling, and psychological support. High numbers of children in street situations, particularly in Prishtina and Fushe Kosove, accentuate the gravity of the issue. In response, Tdh Kosovo developed specialized services, including a Day Care Center for children in street situations.

Tdh’s Partners and Donors

Tdh's partnerships in Kosovo play a pivotal role in driving positive change. Together, Tdh and its Kosovo counterparts address diverse needs, particularly for vulnerable children and families. Grounded in shared values and expertise, these collaborations create lasting impact. By uniting resources, knowledge, and dedication, Tdh and its Kosovo partners enhance well-being and community resilience.

The Child Protection program gains vital backing from donors and partners. Swiss Cooperation Office Kosovo, MEDICOR Foundation, Caritas Foundation, UNICEF Kosovo (funded by the EU), and form the bedrock for safeguarding initiatives. Collaborations extend to government entities, including the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and more, embodying a comprehensive approach to child protection.

Migration and Antitrafficking initiatives are reinforced by a network of supporters. Save the Children International in Kosovo/o, Municipality of Prishtina, and Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation contribute to risk mitigation and assistance projects. Partnerships with organizations like GIZ add momentum to trafficking combat and support for affected children. The involvement of varied stakeholders, including many line Ministries, the Kosovo Institute for Public Administration, and other independent Agencies reflects a united front against migration and trafficking challenges. 

ROLEDESCRIPTION

As a representative of the Foundation in Kosovo, the Head of the Country Office leads and manages the team, the partnerships, all programmes carried out in the country and ensures its funding coverage. Under the supervision of the Deputy Operations Manager Asia – Europe – Latin America, she/he will be responsible for supporting the strategic development and implementation of the Terre des hommes programs in Kosovo and ensures the proper functioning of operations at the national level. The Head of Country Office advises and assists the Deputy Operations Manager Asia – Europe – Latin America in the definition of programs, projects, operational and institutional strategies in line with Tdh’s global, regional strategy and policies. The Head of Country Office demonstrates ethical and exemplary leadership to maintain the Foundation’s good reputation and leads all the delegation’s collaborators in a shared vision in compliance with the Foundation’s strategic orientations. In collaboration with the programs and expertise, he/she develops the Strategic Plan of the Delegation’s operations in compliance with the general reference framework. The Head of Country Office has direct management responsibility and supervision over the program staff based on the organization’s organigram and oversees the overall financial and administrative management of the delegation. The Head of the Country Office develops and guarantees the implementation of the Delegation’s Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) in compliance with the Strategic Plan and internal processes (budgetary management, HR and logistics management, quality and accountability). The Head of the Country Office is responsible for the security of the Tdh teams under his/her responsibility and is in charge of the security rules and the contingency plans of the country or countries under his/her responsibility.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

More specifically he/she has the following responsibilities:

Strategy and steering:

• In charge of developing the country strategy based on a full contextual analysis and the result of an inclusive and participatory process (region, PROG&EXP, etc.)
• In connection with the programs and expertise, he/she develops new operational avenues in compliance with the 2021-2024 global strategy and the identified needs.
• Ensures that the monitoring and assessment systems are implemented by the project teams.
• Supervises the implementation of the country strategy and ensures with their respective colleagues in charge that they be executed and updated if necessary in compliance with the context’s evolution.
• Guarantees to all collaborators involved a clear and precise understanding of the strategic plan and approaches, the goals to be attained and the Tdh common vision.
• Guarantees the final endorsement of interventional proposals, the resources needed to do this and reports in the allotted timeframes.

Representation: 

• As part of his/her responsibilities, he/she establishes and maintains quality professional relations with the competent influential national, regional and/or local or stake-holder authorities: partners, multi-or bilateral donors represented at the national level, United Nations agencies, foundations, international and national NGOs and civil society organizations, ensuring to sustain the Foundation’s good reputation in the country and Tdh position as a major reference agency on the issue of children’s rights.
• Develops synergies and partnerships with the international, national and/or local players present in the assignment country according to the Foundation’s operational and strategic priorities and as such, participates and works effectively in coalitions, forums and adequate networks.
• Ensures a good operational information flow in the Delegation, ensures the interface between the Delegation, the region and headquarters.
• Maintains quality professional relations with the media and acts as Tdh’s spokesperson if the context calls for it.

 

Security and safety: 

• Monitors the world security context relevant to the mission. Identifies the main stakeholders for access to Tdh. Maintains an information network enabling the follow-up of the evolution of risks and threats. Manages and documents the context and the risk analysis.
• Shares the risk analysis with the staff, the new arrivals and visitors on a regular basis (meetings/regular information sessions). Chooses and decides on the appropriate strategies according to the risk/benefit relationship of operations.
• Keeps headquarters in the loop about any new risk incurred and any development in the security context.

 

Learning/ documentation

• Systematically debriefs the staff involved in an incident (victims, witnesses and management personnel involved) and compiles/documents return on experience (REX).
• Drafts reports on each security-related incident affecting Tdh personnel and monitors the consequences.
• Identifies gaps in the preparation of the response to risks and plans improvements.

Human Resources: 

• In connection with the Human Resources Department, ensures that the mission has an HR strategy and a policy for managing human resources in compliance with the legal framework in force in the assignment country.
• Defines and adjusts the Delegation’s HR sizing and remains vigilant so that the human means are able to guarantee the implementation of programs as well as recruiting the needed staff.
• Ensures that the chain-of-command links and levels of responsibility be clearly defined.
• Actively fosters the staff’s well-being by keeping an eye on the mission’s social climate and the staff’s morale and puts in place the corrective actions required.
• Verifies the reliability, implementation and supervision of HR strategies, systems, policies and processes.
• Ensures the dissemination of and compliance with the Foundation’s policies, in particular the Overall Code of Conduct and Gender & Diversity Policy. Ensures their collaborators’ Duty of Care

Finance and logistics: 

In connection with the Finance and Logistics Department and with other colleagues involved: 

• In coordination with the Fund-Raising sector (FR), watches over the proper management of funds at the Delegation level and controls the budgetary follow-up of activities in compliance with the signed donor contracts.
• In coordination with their FR and Operations colleagues, leads fund-raising and negotiations with donors and partners present in the operating area; identifies and secures adequate funding for current and future programs.
• Checks that an appropriate and accessible  system of financial and logistic reporting is implemented so as to meet internal and external requirements.
• Leads the follow-up of internal and external audit recommendations relating to finance and logistics.

Management: 

• Ensures the supervision of all Delegation staff.
• Sees to the good practices of a management that complies with Tdh values.
• Effectively guides the staff by appropriately delegating with a view to attaining results and developing skills.

Reporting: 

• Consolidates the drafting of monthly and annual activity reports intended for the desk.
• Drafts intermediary and final reports intended for donors.

 

YOUR PROFILE

• University Degree in relevant field, such as, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences and Work.
• At least 5 years of management experience, preferable in a similar position and with an International Organization.
• Recognized expertise in the field of child rights and child protection.
• Knowledge of migration, juvenile justice and social inclusion programs.
• Strong team leadership qualities.
• Extensive project management experience (management; planning; staff development and training skills);
• Capacity to work independently and under pressure;
• Excellent communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills;
• Excellent oral and written skills in English. Desirable Albanian and other languages from the neighbouring countries.

 

TOAPPLY:

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their CV and Motivation Letter in English to kos.hr@tdh.org

Please include “Head of Country Office Kosovo, your name and surname” in the subject line of the application email.

Child Safeguarding Policy:

To commit to respect Tdh Risk Management Policies including Child Safeguarding Policy, Safety and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy.

Due to an anticipated high number of applications, Tdh is not able to respond to every applicant individually. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further recruitment steps.

GDPR compliance:

By sending your application, you agree that your personal data will be used in the recruitment process. All the documents we will request in different steps of the recruitment process will only be used for this purpose.

All staff involved in recruitment and selection are aware that data protection rules apply, and that personal information will be treated confidentially. According to our policy, we will keep your application documents for the period of the recruitment only.

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