Country Director

Direction of the work of JRS at the Country level a)    To safeguard the vision, identity and unity of JRS at the project level. b)    On consultation with the Regional Director and the Project Directors, to enter into negotiations and create agreements with the Church, government or funding agencies on their behalf c)    Together with the Regional Director, to sign agreements with the local bishop, government or other funding agencies. d)    To take initiatives, and to develop project proposals for presentation to the Regional Director and the Regional Council for their approval. e)    To direct and support the implementation of JRS works on a country level. f)     In consultation with Project Directors, to coordinate and define country policies, e.g., specific country security guidelines, and a country approach to education and social services. g)    To facilitate reflection on and evaluation of projects and, when necessary to determine how the process of withdrawal/ closure/ handover is affected in a particular project. h)    To ensure that JRS project members receive training in the use of JRS International programme templates, financial reporting procedures and the project database of the Pedro Arrupe System (PAS).   Care for Personnel a)    To procure work permits and visas for JRS Internationally recruited staff. b)    To make regular visits to Project Directors and teams in the field, to listen and give support to each JRS team member. In case of problems to draw these to the attention of the Project or Regional Director. c)    To give special care to JRS staff, making sure they receive necessary breaks and holidays. d)    To sign contracts with JRS collaborators at the country level and to terminate contracts, when necessary, in consultation with the Regional Director. In situations of crisis within the country, to decide on security measures for JRS staff in accordance with the JRS Security Guidelines, after consultation with the Regional and Project Directors.   Administration & Finance a)    To administer country finances and accounts, and to guarantee a proper that projects are supplied with the necessary operating funds. b)    To support the annual process of project level planning and budgeting. c)    To manage the annual regional financial audit at the country level. d)    To administer project accounts and guarantee a proper accounting of all project expenses. e)    To render any other necessary administrative or logistical services to the projects and the region.   Procurement and Logistics a)    To ensure that materials and equipment needed for the project are obtained at the best possible prices, b)    To monitor and regulate use of materials and equipment. c)    To arrange that equipment is repaired when necessary. d)    To oversee the warehouse. e)    To supervise and support the Logistics Officer and the warehouse staff.   Communication a)    To maintain regular communication with and reporting to the Regional Director on major issues and developments in the country or in JRS. b)    To meet with the region’s Country and Project Directors and the Regional Director at regular intervals. c)    To communicate on a frequent basis with Project Directors and to pass on to teams all relevant information regarding the situation in the country, that of refugees and displaced persons, government policies and other news relevant to JRS. d)    To submit brief country reports to JRS Dispatches with relevant information on JRS projects or on the situation of refugees and displaced persons in the country. e)    To submit six month and annual reports to the Regional Director on the progress of projects within the country. f)     To keep the local Jesuit communities informed about the work of the JRS in the country.   Representation Of JRS a)    To establish and maintain contact with the local Jesuit Provincial(s), the diocesan Church, the government, key NGOs and, in particular, UNHCR, b)    To enter into negotiations at the country level with the Church, government and UNHCR, as required. c)    To represent JRS at national level meetings of NGO's, UNHCR and the government.   Advocay a)    In conjunction with the Regional Director and the Regional Advocacy Officer, to inform key JRS advocacy offices (Rome, Geneva, Brussels and USA) about significant advocacy needs, sharing with them relevant information from the grassroots field projects and passing on feedback from these sources to the Project Directors. b)    Where helpful and necessary, to intervene with the government and UNHCR on behalf of refugees. To animate and support local church structures in addressing issues involving refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.