Interim Country Director (Madagascar)

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is currently looking for an Interim Country Director for its Country Office in Madagascar to ensure strategic activities and oversee the implementation of humanitarian and development aid programs by identifying sources of financing, conducting PR activities and improving the quality standards of ongoing projects and aid activities.

About PAH:

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is an international non-governmental organization which since 1992 has been providing humanitarian and development help worldwide. So far, the interventions have been carried out in 52 different countries. By possessing long-standing expertise in the implementation of projects in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security and Livelihoods, Shelter NFI, as well as Protection and Education, PAH concentrates its global activities on ensuring sustainable and stable development of regions suffering from the consequences of armed conflicts, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

PAH has been present in Madagascar since May 2022 implementing mutli-year development projects to the most vulnerable populations affected by cyclical drought in the southern regions of the country. PAH provides assistance in the sectors of WASH, Livelihoods Agriculture and food security.

For more information, please refer to www.pah.org.pl

General information:

Position: Interim Country Director

Location: Fort Dauphin (Madagascar) with travel to program locations

Job terms: 7 months contract with possibility for extention

Type of employment: Employment contract

Starting date: September 1st, 2025

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Lead PAH Country Office activities in strategic direction, program quality and growth:
  • Lead implementation of existing strategic action plan
  • Identify opportunities for appropriate expansion and growth of programs
• Ensure efficient staff performance management and staff development:
  • Supervise and mentor direct-report staff
  • Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development
  • Promote and monitor staff care and well-being
  • Support appropriate interventions in response to identified care needs of the mission staff
• Ensure leadership and representation:
  • Lead the country program by maintaining open and professional relations with colleagues, promoting a strong team spirit and providing guidance and resources to enable staff to perform successfully
  • Maintain relations with all stakeholders such as donors, local authorities and other INGOs
• Take primary responsibility for safety and security management on a Mission
  • Monitor the security situation in the region and take proper decisions according to PAH internal rules
  • Closely cooperate with Security Officer at the Country Office level and Security Advisor at the HQ level
  • Keep security, evacuation and contingency plans up-to-date and accessible for the Country Office staff
• Ensure effective operational management on the Country Office:
  • Provide optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness in all functions and operations of the country program
  • Coordinate budget monitoring process
• Provide and develop culture of open and constructive communication in the office:
  • Ensure healthy and empowering job environment
  • Maintain open communication with staff members, advisors and colleagues in HQ
• Report to HQ in terms of Country Office activities in a timely manner.

The successful candidate will be selected based on the qualification requirements described below:

• Master’s Degree in International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Management or any other related field required
• At least 3 years of experience in INGO management/coordination (including security management in complex security situations, human resource management)
• Solid experience in representing the organization in front of local authorities as well as international donor agencies
• Previous extensive experience in staff management in the cross-cultural environment required, including capacity building, training and facilitation skills
• High resilience to stress, ability to work effectively under pressure in a hardship duty station
• Ability to perform and oversee multiple tasks concurrently
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Strong sense of personal and professional integrity
• Strategic mindset, strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Languages: Full proficiency (C1) in spoken and written English and French required, knowledge of local language will be an asset
• Proficiency in MS Office package
• Sound understanding of local context and humanitarian & social needs of most vulnerable population in Madagascar

What PAH offers:

• Work experience with professional and flexible international NGO, which is one of the largest NGOs in the Central-Eastern Europe
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and motivated team
• Possibility for professional development
• Annual leave of 26 working days and 5 additional days of free leave
• Accommodation allowance
• Small family duty station (applicable for 1 family member/partner)
• Medical insurance (including Emergency Evacuation)
• Psychological Support Package