Country Manager

Country Manager We Effect Palestine

We Effect is a development organisation founded by the Swedish cooperative movement in 1958 to support the development of democratic organisations and societies. In our international development cooperation programmes, we are applying a human rights-based approach supporting people living in poverty to secure their rights. 

We Effect works in around 18 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa through our regional offices in partnership with local civil society organisations (CSO’s), farmer organisations, cooperative federations and other democratic organisations. For more information, see www.weeffect.org  

We Effect is now recruiting a Country Manager to our Country Office in Palestine. The duty station for this position is in Ramallah at the We Effect Country Office Palestine. As Country Manager you report to the Area Director who is based in Stockholm. 

The position is open for any nationality with a valid work permit in Palestine, and the contractual modality is a local employment contract. The employment contract is for two years (with the possibility of prolongation) and begins with a 6-months probationary period. The contract is planned to start by July 2025.  

The position includes frequent field trips and other travels outside of Palestine.  

About We Effect in Palestine

The Palestine Country Office runs development interventions within the thematic fields of the right to food, cooperative development and environmental justice. Programs and projects are implemented by local partner organisations.

About the role 

As Country Manager you will be responsible for ensuring that We Effect delivers the highest possible quality in its operations in Palestine and to ensure that We Effect and its partner organisations comply to grant agreements, We Effect policies, strategies and quality requirements and to improve cost efficiency.  You will lead the overall management of the country operations through an active leadership aligned with We Effects values and support a sustainable team culture, which emphasise employee engagement and high-quality work.

The position requires extremely good knowledge of contextual challenges, skills in terms of advocacy and representation/relations with partner organisations and other stakeholders, including donor relationship building. In addition to lead the strategic work you are also expected to support staff in operational issues.  You will be responsible for development and implementation of the team budget and work plan.

The Country Manager is responsible for safety and security awareness, and for the protection and promotion of the work of the Country Office staff and our partner organisations. 

We Effect country operations are organised in a team structure where active participation through exchange of experience, continuous dialogue and creation of synergies is stimulated with the rest of the organisation.  

About you 

We believe you are a senior manager with extensive experience working in civil society organisations and international development cooperation, including organisational development and advocacy.  

You have excellent understanding of development cooperation in both its theory and practice and you are firmly rooted in the rights-based approach, equality and democratic governance.  

Your values reflect international human rights and development cooperation standards.  

As Country Manager it is crucial that you have excellent ability to organize, plan, prioritize and communicate your work. You have proven skills in budgeting of complex programs, administration, and financial follow-up of budgets, including monitoring and controlling expenses.  

You enjoy seeking out new and maintaining existing relations with We Effect allies, including potential and existing donors, and have experience in resource mobilization.  

As a modern, inclusive leader you are mature and value based, with the commitment, experience, and tools to support your staff to succeed in their roles. You have proven capacity to lead a professional team in a difficult context, ensuring both their and our partners´ safety and protection.  

You are a team player with a strong willingness to listen to your peers and be active in developing the regional team and want to be an asset to the We Effect global organisation. 

You share the organisation’s vision of a sustainable and just world for all, free from poverty. 

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Required qualifications 

• Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Agriculture, Sociology or a related relevant field. 
• At least 10 years of experience working in civil society organisations and international development cooperation, including organisational development and advocacy. 
• At least five years of experience working in a management position within development cooperation (preferably as head of an office). 
• Excellent skills and in-depth experience from planning, implementation, follow-up and reporting of development cooperation programs/projects. 
• Good understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation methods commonly used in development cooperation. 

• Proven experience in the application of and theoretical understanding of the rights-based approach, civil society development and gender equality perspectives. 
• Excellent skills in financial management and budget analysis, other administrative systems. 
• Strong oral and written communication skills, works well in a team. 
• Excellent deadline management and ease to work towards set goals. 
• Proficiency in English  
• Proficient in computer skills and cloud-based tools for communication and documentation.  
• Ability and willingness to travel and work uncomfortable hours when necessary.  
• Valid driver’s license.  

Merits 

• Knowledge of Arabic and English.

What we can offer you 

We will give you the opportunity to make a real difference – within our organisation and in our joint work for a sustainable planet free from poverty. We challenge the status quo and encourages innovation. Our values Transparency, Respect and Together, guide us in our work and as colleagues forming our organisational culture. We are an intercultural organisation where diversity and inclusion are our corner stones. We welcome you as you are, and value a wide range of perspectives, experiences and networks and we strive for a workplace where you can bring your whole self to work. It is our belief that an inclusive workplace without discrimination of any kind, leads to more efficient relations and results with healthy, engaged, and growing co-workers. 

We strive to have the best work environment and even if your main workplace for this position will be Ramallah, we offer flexible opportunities to mix working from office and home or elsewhere which we believe will improve work-life balance in many ways. We apply goal-oriented working time and offer 25 days of paid annual leave.  

Your application with a CV detailing how you respond to the above listed requirements should be submitted to [email protected]  no later than May 30 2025.