Lead Humanitarian Operations as Country Director – Surge Team | Concern Worldwide | Apply by 21 Apr 2026

Concern Worldwide, a global humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating extreme poverty and human suffering, is actively seeking a Country Director – Surge Team for a full-time, two-year fixed-term contract. This high-impact role involves leading emergency and non-emergency programmes, ensuring operational excellence, and representing Concern at national and international levels.

About Concern Worldwide

Founded in 1968, Concern Worldwide focuses on supporting communities in fragile contexts to live with dignity, equality, and resilience. The organization prioritizes affected communities’ needs, working in areas with the highest humanitarian requirements. Concern Worldwide’s approach emphasizes:

• Life-saving emergency interventions
• Development and livelihood support
• Long-term resilience building
• Upholding humanitarian principles and inclusion

Concern’s core values—compassion, humanity, and accountability—guide all operational, programmatic, and management decisions.

Role Overview

The Country Director – Surge Team is responsible for overseeing the development, management, and strategic direction of Concern Worldwide’s country programmes. Surge Team members are deployed to various country programmes, usually for six weeks to six months, and must be ready for deployment within 24 hours when required.

This role combines leadership, operational oversight, and strategic engagement with key stakeholders, including governments, donors, clusters, the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), and the media.

Key Responsibilities

Emergency Response

• Lead emergency assessments and identify urgent needs.
• Design, deliver, and oversee emergency response programmes.
• Deploy teams to new or ongoing crises, providing managerial and specialist support.

Programme Management

• Ensure country programmes comply with Concern’s policies, external standards like Sphere, the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), and Red Cross/Red Crescent codes.
• Strategically manage funding, programme design, and implementation in emergencies and chronic contexts.
• Maintain awareness of political, social, and economic factors affecting programme delivery.

Security and Representation

• Oversee all aspects of security management, including Security Management Plans and staff training.
• Represent Concern nationally and maintain coordination with governments, donors, clusters, and media.
• Foster strong relationships with key humanitarian actors to ensure effective collaboration.

Staff, Administration, Finance, and Logistics

• Lead staff management and development, ensuring high-quality project design, reporting, and evaluation.
• Oversee HR, finance, IT, logistics, and administrative systems to ensure alignment with best practices.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to regional offices and external stakeholders.
• Manage budgets, monitor expenditure, and maintain financial accountability.

Communication and Learning

• Maintain open communication with the Regional Director and Desk Officer.
• Share lessons learned and best practices to support organisational development.
• Engage with media and external partners as required.

Essential Requirements

Ideal candidates will possess:

• A third-level degree in a relevant discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in senior management within an international NGO.
• Proven ability to manage multi-sector programmes such as WASH, shelter, food aid, camp management, cash transfers, and early recovery initiatives.
• Emergency assessment and response experience, with strong security management skills in insecure contexts.
• Experience in financial oversight, HR management, administration, and logistics.
• Strong relationship-building skills with donors and experience securing funding.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English; working knowledge of French is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural and remote field locations.

Why This Role Matters

The Country Director – Surge Team is a critical leadership position in Concern Worldwide’s mission to save lives, reduce suffering, and build resilience in fragile contexts. The role offers a chance to:

• Lead high-profile emergency response operations.
• Influence humanitarian policy and programme delivery at national and regional levels.
• Mentor and develop diverse teams in challenging environments.
• Represent a globally respected NGO to governments, donors, and the public.

Compensation and Terms

• Salary range: €80,184 – €89,094 per year
• Contract type: Two-year, full-time, fixed-term
• Location: Flexible; deployment across Concern country programmes as required
• Deployment readiness: Surge Team members must be ready to deploy within 24 hours

How to Apply

Interested candidates can view full terms and submit applications directly on the Concern Worldwide Careers page: Country Director – Surge Team Application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged for maximum consideration.

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