Emergency Country Director

Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking an Emergency Country Director for its Global Surge Team roster. This role leads all programs in an emergency context, overseeing country response teams, strategic planning, financial and operational management, and ensuring staff safety. The position is designed for highly qualified humanitarian professionals capable of deploying within 72 hours to crisis zones for short term assignments.

Major Responsibilities

This role requires a focus on leadership, strategic direction, safety management, team development, and operational stewardship:

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for emergency response.
• Represent IRC with government officials, donors, and partners.
• Manage financial oversight, compliance, and risk management.
• Develop and mentor country and senior management teams.
• Ensure safety and security of staff and operational resources.

Job Requirements

Applicants should have a graduate degree or equivalent, a minimum of 12 years of international experience in complex humanitarian operations, and fluency in English with additional language skills (French, Arabic, or Spanish) preferred. Proven leadership in conflict, post-conflict, or disaster response settings is essential.

Technical and Managerial Skills

Key technical and managerial skills include security management, strategic planning, financial management, partner engagement, and crisis communication. Candidates must demonstrate strong decision-making, the ability to work under pressure, and a proven track record of managing multi-sectoral humanitarian operations.

Key Skills/Competency

Leadership, Strategic Planning, Security, Financial Management, Compliance, Partnership, Emergency Response, Crisis Management, Team Building, Donor Engagement