Head of Mission - Somalia & Kenya

Country: Somalia Organization: CESVI Closing date: 7 Sep 2026 Work Context CESVI Fondazione ETS has been operating in Somalia since 2006, with a country office in Mogadishu and field bases in Galkayo South and Beletweyne. The organisation implements multisectoral humanitarian and development programmes across Mudug, Galgaduud, Hiraan, Lower Shabelle, and Banadir regions. Its activities focus on improving access to health and nutrition services, WASH, food security and livelihoods, protection, and community resilience through disaster risk reduction and early warning systems. CESVI works in close coordination with local authorities, partners, and communities to strengthenresilience and deliver life-savingassistance to vulnerablepopulationsaffected by conflict, drought, and displacement. CESVI Fondazione ETS has been operating in East Africa since 2004, with its registration in Kenya since 2004. In Kenya, CESVI implements development and humanitarian programmes, including a Multi-Donor Child Protection Programme, as well as resilience-focused interventions in Garissa and Tana River counties. CESVI supports vulnerable agro-pastoral communities to strengthen food security, climate resilience, disaster risk management, and community protection services, Additional operations are going to be activated in the coming months in the counties of Tharaka-Nithi, Makueni, Nakuru, and Kilifi. Posizione Please note: Existing authorization to work in both Kenya and Somalia is considered an asset. Candidates with the right to work in both countries are particularly encouraged to apply. Job Description The collaboration will start in October 2026. Duty station: Nairobi 50% Mogadishu 50%. The Head of Mission is responsible for the overall mission's coordination in its different aspects: staff, logistics, supply chain, budget and procedures’ respect, security and donor relations. He/Sherepresents CESVI in the Countries of assignment, coordinates local and international staff, promotes and maintains political and operational partnerships, impulses new projects drafting and funding. The Head of Mission acts within the framework of the authority delegated by CESVI General Manager as outlined in the Power of Attorney. He/She ensures regular update to Regional Manager through CESVI monthly reports. REPORTING LINE The Head of Mission responds to the East and Southern Africa (ESA) - Regional Manager (RM) and works in close coordination with the ESA Regional Team, composed of: Regional Finance Specialist, Regional Finance Coordinator, Regional Program Coordinator. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES • Coordination and overall supervision of Country’s programmes and procedures • Supervising projects and giving support to the staff in reaching foreseen objectivesin a timely manner, in respect of deadlines and by an efficient use of resources. • Monitoring activities, both technical and at administrative level, in coordination with the RM and according to the established timetable • Coordination of staff to guarantee (ongoing and new) projects activities and implementation reports, submission of financial reports to donors in coordination with the Regional Manager • Supervising the administration and application of the CESVI internal procedures for the Country • Collaboration with the Country Administrator for the accounting and expenses verifications of the projects; • Management of CESVI offices, goods, documentation and procurement • Efficient supervision of CESVI offices • Means and goods supervision • Managing procurement procedures in collaboration with Regional/Country Administrator • Supervision of correct filing and conservation of projects’ documentation • Supervision and coordination of potential opening of new offices (in coordination with the Regional Manager and Security Advisor) if necessary to guarantee operations in the country • Supervision the monitoring of field operational offices, proceeding, in accordance with the Head of International Programs, Regional Manager, Regional Program Manager, Program/Project Managers and Administrators guidance and indication, and ensuring their full operation • Supervising administration and application of the CESVI internal procedures for the Countries. • Human Resources management • Supervision and management of expatriate staff, in coordination with the ESA Regional Manager, including supporting them in compliance with the legal framework related to their presence in the countries • Supervision on all local human resources about the contract, ensuring compliance of operations with local employment law including NGO law, tax, employment, Health and Safety, Insurance and any other applicable law. Conduct and record periodical meeting with staff to verify activities implementation, problems and getting solutions • Ensuring that CESVI HR policies, terms and conditions are applied • Organizing and supervising capacity building and development of national staff, in collaboration with Head of International Programs, Regional Manager, Regional Program Manager and Project/Programme Managers • In collaboration with HR department and the RM, is responsible for leading the selection of team members of the Missions. Final hiring decisions and contractual commitments remain under the authority of HQ for expatriates, and under the HoM for the National team. Informing and training local staff through appropriate training courses, if necessary with the necessary translations in the local language, in the principles set out in the following policies, and all other Policies or formal provisions that will be developed and shared by CESVI: Human Resources Policy; CESVI Staff Code of Conduct and Code of Conduct of the destination country (if any); Safeguarding Policies; Policy to Prevent Corruption and Fraud; CESVI Ethical Code; Conflict resolution and complaints management. • Implementation of HR Policy and Code of Conduct • Ensuring all new employees receive the HR Policy/Code of Conduct training as part of their induction; • Ensuring compliance with CESVI HR Policy and Code of Conduct within his/her area of responsibility; • Follow up and address HR issues appropriately. • Implementation of Safeguarding policies –Adult at risk/Child Safeguarding/PSEA: • Ensuring Safeguarding measures are implemented within his area of responsibility; • Ensuring safeguarding measures are in place and staff, associates and other key stakeholders are made aware of and supported in implementing these measures; • Ensuring Safeguarding measures are integrated with existing processes and systems (strategic planning, budgeting, recruitment, programme cycle management, performance management, procurement, partner agreements etc.); • Follow up and address Safeguarding issues appropriately. • Lead in the definition and development of the Countries Strategy • Contributing to the definition of a Country Strategy Paper in collaboration with the ESA Regional Team • Identifying the main intervention sectors, areas and needs in the Country in coordination with the ESA Regional Manager and in collaboration with the Regional Team and the Project/Programme Managers • Update of Country Strategy Paper and application of related Recommendations, in coordination with ESA Regional Manager and in collaboration with the Regional Team and the Project/Programme Managers • Adhering to the Country Strategic Plan • Keep regularly informed the Regional Office and the HQ on risks regarding the implementation of the country strategy or the need to review the strategy itself • Develop, in coordination with the ESA Regional Manager and in collaboration with the Head of Program, new programme initiatives and actively lead the current emergency operations towards a long/medium term integrated and regional programme • Support the evaluation of the activities carried out in the country and the capitalization and dissemination of achievements and best practices within CESVI • Coordination and representation with stakeholders • Management and coordination of relations with local and international partners, including with Alliance 2015 members • Participating in networking meetings on behalf of CESVI • Promoting and organizing meeting with donors, institutions, NGOs, local government and international agencies, in close collaboration with the RM and RPM • Writing and submitting new proposals, donors acquisition • In coordination with the ESA Regional Program Manager and PCMSU in HQ, monitoring of calls for proposal for Somalia and Kenya • In coordination with the ESA RM the International Programs Department in HQ, liaising with potential donors, writing and submitting new proposals, ensuring that: • All proposals are submitted only after being reviewed under the Project Risk Assessment (PRA) procedure in force • Any resulting grant or service contract with co-financing obligations above €100,000 is pre-authorized by HQ, in accordance with the PoA limitations • Formal contractual commitments with donors are made only within the limits delegated under the Power of Attorney • Donors’ relations and promotion of CESVI’s Programmes, both through active participation to forums and workshops and through the organization of ad hoc meetings • Develop new project proposals in the country referring to CESVI’s sector of specialization and in strict cooperation with the country team through assessments realized both at the national level or in close countries if necessary and requested by RO/HQ. • Participation and supervision of the entire writing process of project proposals in close collaboration with the Regional Program Manager and Project/Program Managers, under the guidance of the RM and in coordination with the PCMSU. • Follow up on project proposals submitted to/being negotiated with different donors • Act in accordance with national legislation for Somalia and Kenya • Check and monitor the respect of national legislation regarding registration of CESVI in the Countries of operation and any other legal provisions affecting NGOs’ work • Ensure compliance with local regulations and local labor laws. • Security Management • Guaranteeing the respect of CESVI Security Plan and other rules and regulations on security, in close collaboration with the Security Advisor • Having constant contact with the Regional Manager and the Security Advisor to coordinate actions to be undertaken • Timely information sharing with staff in the country • Participating actively in security coordination mechanisms present in the Countries • Setting, in coordination with HQ and the Security Advisor, potential rules and regulations to strengthen security for CESVI staff, means and goods • Keep communication with key informants, in coordination with the Security Advisor • Strengthen and promote CESVI image in the Country • Cooperation with the Communication and Fund-Raising HQ Offices for all communication, awareness and fundraising activities implemented in and for the country • In coordination with the Regional Manager and the Communication Department, participateto visibility and communication activities and give interviews in person or by phone • Send to communication department updates, news or success stories from the field • Defining the visibility plan for new proposals drafting in coordination with the Communication Department and in close collaboration with the Head of Program and the Regional Manager • In case of emergencies, prompt sending of pictures and updates, coordination Teams calls with HQ and phone interviews with the press • In collaboration with the HQ and Regional Manager, produce and review talking points/policy papers and advocacy materials at large. • In coordination with Regional Manager and HQ team, manage the organization of journalists’ and testimonials’ missions on the field and operational management of missions in the agreed periods Requisiti Essential Requirements QUALIFICATIONS: • University degree or post graduate degree, preferably in International Development/Humanitarian sector and/or Psychology/Social Sciences PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES and SKILLS • Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in NGO humanitarian crisis management, administration and implementation of programs for refugees, IDPs, mix migrants • Minimum 2 years of experience as Head of Mission • Prior experience in Kenya/Somalia or East Africa • Extensive experience of working within a senior management role within a complex country programme in recovery and emergency response/in fragile state/protracted crises • Experience of managing multi-donor and multi-site programs • Proven leadership and management experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including active mentoring and coaching • Solid diplomatic skills with the ability to manage a variety of internal and external relationships • Strong project writing skills and the ability to develop policies, plans, and strategies for implementation • Self-motivated, proactive, resilient, and able to work independently. • Highly result-oriented with the ability to manage workload and stress • Good capacity in security management • Fluency in English (written and spoken) Desirable Requirements • Despite not being essential, familiarity with the following sectors will be considered an added value: Food security & Livelihood, Agriculture, Value-chain, Health and Nutrition • Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) • Existing authorization to work in both Kenya and Somalia is considered an asset. Candidates with the right to work in both countries are particularly encouraged to apply. Altre informazioni • Contract duration: 12 months, renewable – 3 months probation period • Salary range: € 3.000 - € 3.200 gross per month • SISCOS Insurance coverage How to apply Please send your CV and Cover Letter - https://cesvi.org/jobs/head-of-mission-somalia-kenya/?d=relief