The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC opened the country program in South Sudan in 1989. Our programs range from humanitarian relief to early recovery and development activities. The IRC works in Central Equatoria, Lakes, Unity, Upper Nile, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states across 12 field offices throughout South Sudan, among which are some of the most volatile and remote areas, and employs over 600 regular staff and 1700 staff incentive workers, volunteers and interns.

South Sudan's humanitarian situation is one of the most severe globally, compounded by years of conflict, political instability, and recurrent natural disasters like floods and droughts. The crisis has resulted in widespread displacement, severe food insecurity, and a breakdown of essential services, impacting millions of people. The recent crisis in neighbouring Sudan has further exacerbated the situation, leading to an influx of refugees and increased tension along the border, straining already limited resources and worsening humanitarian needs. Despite ongoing efforts by humanitarian organisations to provide aid and support, the challenges remain immense, with vulnerable populations, especially women and children, bearing the brunt of the impact.

Purpose of the Role

The Country Director provides overall leadership and management of IRC’s staff, programs, and operations in South Sudan. The role ensures high-quality, accountable, and client-focused programming; effective stewardship of resources; strong external representation; and a safe, supportive work environment. As IRC’s principal representative, the Country Director engages with government, donors, UN agencies, civil society, and media to advance IRC’s mission and influence. The position oversees a diverse portfolio of humanitarian, recovery, and development programs—implemented directly and with partners—and leads the country team in delivering the priorities set out in IRC’s Strategy for South Sudan with coherence, effectiveness, and integrity.

Scope and Authority
 

Authority:
•    Leads strategic vision, country strategy execution, and overall operational oversight.
•    Final decision-making authority on program implementation, safety & security, staffing, budgets, and risk mitigation within delegated authority from IRC HQ/Region.
•    Represents IRC to government, donors, UN agencies, and international/national partners.
•    Approves country-level policies, contingency plans, and operational frameworks.

Responsibility for Resources:
•    Leadership of a country portfolio of multi-million dollar grants.
•    Oversight of 600+ national staff and 1,700 incentive workers, volunteers, and interns.
•    Management of all operational assets, vehicles, facilities, and supplies across 12 field offices.
•    Stewardship of program, finance, supply chain, P&C, security, and compliance systems.

Key Working Relationships
Internal:
•    Senior Management Team (Programs, Operations, Finance, P&C, Humanitarian Access & Security)
•    East Africa Regional Team
•    HQ departments: Technical Excellence, Safeguarding, Ethics & Compliance, External Relations, Finance, Policy & Advocacy, Legal, Global Supply Chain, and HR Centers of Excellence.

External:
•    Host government ministries, commissions, and regulatory bodies.
•    Donors: USG, FCDO, ECHO, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, World Bank, private foundations, and corporate donors.
•    International and national NGO partners, civil society organisations, and community leaders.
•    UN coordination bodies (HCT, clusters, working groups).
•    Media representatives (as agreed with RVP and Regional Communications).

Safeguarding & PSEA Accountability
Safeguarding Accountability Level (1–4)    Select one: Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4 L4 - Strategic Safeguarding

Safeguarding Responsibilities:
•    Champion a culture of zero tolerance for Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH).
•    Ensure strong, functional safeguarding reporting pathways for staff and clients.
•    Oversee training, compliance monitoring, referral mechanisms, and survivor-centred responses.
•    Ensure safeguarding risk assessments across all program areas, including high-risk contexts.
•    Provide leadership oversight for Ethics & Compliance (ECU) reporting and follow-up actions.
•    Ensure local partners meet safeguarding minimum standards and have mitigation plans.

Key Accountabilities

Accountability 1:    Leadership & Representation    20%
Key Responsibilities
• Provide overall leadership and direction for IRC’s role and positioning in South Sudan.
• Represent IRC with government, donors, UN, and coordination bodies at the highest levels.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships, including with national and local organisations.
• Ensure IRC plays an active, credible role in humanitarian coordination and policy dialogue.
• Maintain constructive relations with government authorities to enable access and operational continuity.

Accountability 2:   Strategic Direction, Program Quality and Growth    20%
Key Responsibilities
• Lead delivery of Strategy 100 and ensure IRC’s programs remain relevant, high-impact, and client-focused.
• Drive portfolio growth and expand reach to underserved and hard-to-access areas.
• Ensure program quality, accountability, and consistency across all field locations.
• Promote innovation, adaptive management, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Ensure effective collaboration with regional and HQ teams to support program excellence.

Accountability 3:    Fundraising, Donor & Partner Relations, Communication & Advocacy    20%
Key Responsibilities
• Maintain strong relationships with donors and position IRC for sustainable, diversified funding.
• Ensure timely submission of quality proposals and donor deliverables.
• Raise IRC’s profile and visibility through strong external communication and representation.
• Lead advocacy efforts that elevate client needs and influence humanitarian policy.
• Build and sustain partnerships that enhance impact, localisation, and credibility.

Accountability 4:    Stewardship, Operations & Budget Management    20%
• Ensure operations, finance, supply chain, and administrative systems enable effective program delivery.
• Promote cost-effective use of resources, strong internal controls, and compliance with IRC standards.
• Ensure coordinated, responsive operational support to all field sites.
• Model integrity and uphold the IRC Way in all aspects of leadership and decision-making.

Accountability 5:    People & Culture Leadership, Staff Development & Well-being    10%
Key Responsibilities
• Set the tone for an inclusive, respectful, and value-driven organisational culture.
• Ensure senior leaders uphold strong management, accountability, and team leadership practices.
• Promote staff well-being and Duty of Care across all locations.
• Work with regional and HQ P&C teams to ensure leadership capability and organisational readiness.
• Support and guide senior leaders to strengthen team performance and leadership depth.

Accountability 6:    Risk Management, Safety and Security    10%
Key Responsibilities

Risk Management:
• Provide overall leadership for risk identification, mitigation, and compliance.
• Ensure effective risk frameworks, contingency plans, and organisational preparedness.
• Promote a strong risk-aware culture across all offices and teams.

Safety and Security:
• Provide oversight of safety, security, and humanitarian access in a volatile operating environment.
• Ensure relevant, updated security and crisis-management plans.
• Coordinate closely with the Regional Safety & Security Director and support safe, principled access.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications  
Master’s degree in International Development, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or related field.

Skills & Knowledge    
• Deep understanding of humanitarian principles, emergency response, and complex crisis contexts.
• Strong operational and financial management skills.
• Exceptional leadership, representation, negotiation, and communication abilities.
• Expertise in donor compliance (USG, EU, UN, bilateral, multilateral).
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and risk management capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; ERP experience preferred.

Experience    
• 10+ years of international experience in humanitarian and development programming.
• Proven success managing large-scale, multi-sector, multi-donor country programs.
• Strong fundraising/business development background.
• Experience managing large teams across remote, insecure, and high-risk environments.
• Experience engaging with government authorities, donors, UN, and INGO platforms.

Competencies & Attributes  
• High integrity, diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment.
• Ability to lead in volatile and politically sensitive contexts.
• Commitment to safeguarding, GEDI, and ethical leadership.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to innovate and problem-solve.
• Strong relationship builder and collaborator.

Standard IRC Compliance Requirements
• Adherence to IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct.
• Compliance with safeguarding, PSEA, anti-harassment, anti-fraud, health & safety, and data protection policies.
• Ensure all direct reports complete mandatory training.
 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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