Somalia - Head of Mission (National Candidates Only)

Country: Somalia Organization: COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale Closing date: 16 Nov 2026 COOPI is looking for a Head of Mission (National Candidates Only) in Somalia COOPI has been active with its humanitarian and resilience programs in Somalia since 1984. COOPI has been implementing emergency and long-term resilience-building projects, including food security & livelihoods, water and sanitation and health, to improve the living conditions of thousands of vulnerable families. COOPI has been providing response and supporting the most basic and pressing needs of communities in Southwest State, South Central, Banadir, Jubaland and Somaliland. COOPI has a long-standing presence in those locations, providing both emergency humanitarian support and building resilient livelihoods through a multi-sectoral approach with a specific focus on crisis-affected populations. COOPI's main operational and coordination offices are located in Mogadishu, Baidoa and Dollow. COOPI also has a support and regional office in Nairobi. COOPI is currently implementing projects funded by Australia DFAT, ECHO, AICS. In Kenya, COOPI has been present since 1992 and has managed interventions in rural development; access to water, food security, cash assistance, shelter and healthcare. Purpose of the role The Head of Mission is responsible for the management and coordination of the foreign offices (Somalia and Kenya) in different aspects: guarantees the correct implementation of the projects in both countries, mission development, budget sustainability, security, staff management and positioning within relevant clusters and working groups. Collaborates with the Regional Coordination or directly with headquarters in the definition of the country strategy and intervention priorities. Main responsibilities RAPRESENTATION • Manages relations with the main institutional donors and with potential ones; • Represents COOPI in the country/area by engaging in relations with institutions, NGOs, local and international organisations and partners; • S/He is responsible for the image of the organisation in the country; DEVELOPMENT • Verifies and proposes to the Regional Office the intervention priorities to consolidate COOPI's positioning in the country; • Contributes to the definition of the Country Strategy and the country planning (projects and coordination). MANAGEMENT Project's management • Coordinates and directly monitors projects, guaranteeing the correct implementation in conformity with the contractual obligations and donors’ procedures, and in line with COOPI’s procedures and management standards; • S/he is responsible for the coordination of the proposal drafting process and the documents’ preparation aimed at the submission of new projects; • S/he is responsible for the good quality of project reports and the preparation of monitoring documentation required by headquarters; • Ensures the transmission of all official and administrative project documentation to headquarters; Foreign office management • S/he is responsible for all different aspects related to the country office management: economic and financial situation, local regulations, office organization charts, logistics, local and expatriate personnel management, in conformity with the organization’s guidelines; • Guarantees the respect of the country’s legislation and administrative regulations; • Has power of attorney for legal signature on documents and accounts; Staff management • S/he is responsible for the local staff management, in compliance with the law of the country; • Participates and supports in the selection of the expatriate staff; Security Management • S/he is responsible for staff security, for the correct implementation and respect of the general security rules; Economic and financial management • S/he is responsible for the country’s economic results; • Supervises the financial management and ensures that all financial reporting deadlines and donor/COOPI’s procedures are respected; • Participates in the projects/coordination budget preparation; Visibility • Cooperates with the Communication and Fundraising office for all communication, awareness and fundraising activities implemented in and for the country. Requirements ESSENTIAL • University degree in relevant subjects; • Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience in international relief and development, of which minimum 3 years in the role; • Excellent oral and written communication and negotiation skills, multitasking and organizational skills; • Experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities, IOs and NGOs; • Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure; • Proven capacity in managing a team; • Fluency in the English language; • Computer literacy. DESIRED • Experience in working in conflict-prone environments; • Experience in logistics, procurement and security matters; • Previous work experience in Somalia and Kenya; • Experience in managing complex consortium/partnerships. We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organisation fighting against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 27 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of over 200 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European Governments. How to apply Please send you CV and Cover letter at the follwing link: https://coopi.org/en/job-position.html?id=901038