Country Director, Yemen

Job Description

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Country Director, Yemen to join our team. 

Team Purpose

Save the Children currently operates a significant portfolio of programmes across 14 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe region. A large portion of these programmes consist of responses to large humanitarian emergencies (Yemen, Ukraine, Türkiye, OPT and Syria). We also work in countries facing other humanitarian and development challenges (Lebanon, Iraq, Kosovo and others).  

Save the Children International (SCI) has been operating in Yemen for over 60 years, delivering humanitarian and development programs to support vulnerable children and communities. Until May 2025, the Yemen Country Office (CO) was operating across 13 governorates until a decision was taken by SCI to cease operations in the north due to several challenges. Currently, the CO is operational in 7 governorates. The Yemen CO has an annual budget of around USD 30 – USD 60 million. SCI is working on the humanitarian response to the ongoing conflict and its impact on communities including IDPs. SCI Yemen is also focusing on transition, development and nexus approach.  The CO has over 200 national and around 10 international staff. Advocacy is an integrated and critical part of our work in Yemen, with the need to ensure humanitarian access, increased international visibility and donor interest in the crises, protection of children from grave violations and international efforts to end the conflict. CO is also committed to further the Localisation Strategy. 

Role Purpose 

The Yemen Country Director will lead Save the Children’s programmes in Yemen based out of Aden, reporting to the Middle East North Africa, and Eastern Europe Regional Director. The Yemen Country Director will provide strategic direction to the programme; is responsible for identifying needs and resources, and elaborating programme recommendations in line with Save the Children national and global priorities. The post-holder will ensure that all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child safeguarding, safety and security, code of conduct, equal opportunities and other relevant policies are in place. The Country Director is accountable for appropriate fiscal management of the Yemen Country Office and ensuring strong management of risks, including key legal and regulatory risks. 

The post holder will play a strategic role in the effective management of Save the Children programmes in Yemen, including scale up and scale down as appropriate, to increase impact and enable positive change for children. The post holder will be the primary Save the Children representative with local authorities, donor representatives, peer agencies and communities. 

As a member of the Middle East, North Africa, & Eastern Europe Regional Leadership Team, they will have also shared accountability for Save the Children’s international development and emergency programming in the region. To achieve our ambitious goals and breakthroughs for children, the leadership team will, in collaboration with Save the Children Members and in conjunction with the other regional organisations, work to drive strategy, compliance and quality across the region. 

Job Title: Country Director, Yemen

Reports To: Regional Director, MENAEE

Work Pattern: On-site  

Contract Length: Permanent/open-ended

Grade: M5, Executive

Location: Aden, Yemen 

Language Requirements: English (Arabic desirable)

Budget Responsibility: $30-60 million 

People Management Responsibility: manager of multiple teams; 8 Senior Management Team members; ~200 staff in Country Office 

Principal Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide vision and direction for the country programme as well as humanitarian response programming in neighbouring countries as required 
• Effectively lead a high performing Senior Management Team (SMT) to deliver against strategy and to model behaviours and values expected of staff 
• Take responsibility for the effective leadership and management of staff and programmes 
• Ensure ongoing, current analysis of the national socio-economic, security and political situation in country 
• Support the development of the Country Strategy and ensure ongoing review progress against key country and organisational level objectives, indicators, and targets 
• Ensuring the focus of the organisation remains on the rights and needs of children 
• Contribute to regional and global knowledge and learning 

People and Organisation

• Ensure that Save the Children attracts and retains high calibre staff 
• Pro-actively develop and coach staff to optimise their potential in pursuit of Save the Children’s objectives, ensuring talent development and management 
• Ensure effective implementation of HR policies and procedures at country level, in line with HR policies, procedures and guidelines and local labour law 
• Ensure consistent implementation of strong performance management systems throughout the country team 
• Foster a collegial, supportive, and respectful culture within the team and with colleagues from the Regional, Centre and Member offices 
• Address staff conflicts and promote harmony among staff to foster positive team dynamics 
• Drive internal work on inclusivity and acceptance (e.g. related to gender) and apply zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and harassment 

Programme Development and Management

• Lead the Country Office team in improving KPI performance and achieving the “70% green” target 
• Ensure programme interventions are in line with technical best practice and emerging national policies as well as with country and strategic objectives, strategies, policies, and approaches. This includes our ambition for localisation, child participation and civil society strengthening 
• Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation systems are implemented in line with policies, systems, and guidelines 
• Ensure that programme learning is effectively captured and communicated 
• Preparing for and implementing rapid and effective responses to major emergencies affecting children, including building relationships with key humanitarian and development decision-makers and partners in-country 
• Position Save the Children as a preferred partner for the long term development and nexus programming 

Representation, Coordination, Advocacy and Partnerships

• Regularly undertake high-level representation at a national, regional, and international level with Government partners, media as well as donor representatives and NGO counterparts 
• Develop the capacity of senior national staff to ensure they can represent the agency in different forums and meetings 
• Identify opportunities and materials to contribute to effective communication and media to promote Save the Children programs 
• Establish effective networks with donors, civil society, and government in country to increase the impact and sustainability of Save the Children’s work across Yemen 
• Help shape broader sector strategies through influencing the inter-agency coordination forums, ensuring that the specific needs of children are being addressed 
• Ensure that partners’ and Save the Children’s work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and maintain strong relationships with authorities at all levels to ensure Save the Children has unhindered access to communities and children 
• Collaborate with the colleagues in the region to deliver regional and sub-regional programmes and advocacy 
• Ensure strong coordination and collaboration with the MENAEE regional office across all key functional areas 
• Ensure Save the Children is part of the coordination mechanisms in the country such as the Humanitarian Country Team, Technical Monitoring Group, Security Management Team, Yemen Humanitarian Fund Advisory Board and Advocacy working group and that SCI is leading to ensure national actors and children have spaces at key tables/platforms and their voices are heard 
• Ensuring child rights are part of all debates within the country and at relevant global platforms 

Financial and Admin Management

• Ensure effective financial budgeting and management systems, processes and controls are in place and are fully compliant with operating standards and local legal requirements 
• Ensure effective Save the Children and donor compliant procurement and asset management systems, processes and controls are in place 
• Ensure that partner organisations are assessed in relation to financial management and governance standards and are supported to address capacity weaknesses 

Audit and Corporate Governance Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc 
• Ensure that internal and external audits are undertaken in a timely and efficient manner in line with policy and donor and host government requirements 
• Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of operations and take appropriate actions where necessary 
• Support risk and compliance priorities as highlighted via Global Assurance audits & internal reviews 

Fundraising

• Lead the team in responding to the new business opportunities; ensure development of high-quality concept notes and proposals in line with the approved humanitarian response plan 
• Ensure effective collaboration with members to preposition the CO for upcoming funding opportunities 
• Ensure donor landscape assessment and in coordination with members develop and implement donor engagement strategy and plans 
• Ensure full compliance with Member and donor requirements in relation to awards secured for the country programme 
• Network actively and play a lead role in management level dialogue with members, donors and other INGOs on accessing and managing awards 
• Represent Save the Children at donor events 

Safety & Security Management

• Develop, establish, and manage Yemen programme security plans and procedures in line with policies, systems, and guidelines 
• Maintain, document, and communicate up to date analyses of the changing security context 
• Ensure all staff are provided sufficient security-related information and are supported to safeguard their own security  

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Extensive senior leadership and management experience in the sector with strong record of effective team management in both humanitarian response and development contexts 
• Substantial experience of building, leading, and developing a diverse team of senior staff to deliver on both development and humanitarian programs 
• Good understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development and the humanitarian architecture 
• Representational, political awareness and proven advocacy skills; able to serve as strong internal and external spokesperson. Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels 
• Strong networking and influencing skills, experience in building effective personal networks at senior levels; national/international level representation with media and key stakeholders, and co-ordination with other NGOs and UN 
• Excellent understanding and experience of risk, programme, financial and operational management processes 
• Proven experience in growing, innovative country programmes 
• Experience working with large, complex donors to secure and/or manage new large-scale and/or competitive funding 
• Experience of managing crisis situations requiring quick changes to priorities and rapid action to respond 
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in 
• Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach 
• Experience leading change in an organisation which has led to measurable results for the organisation and its stakeholders 
• Experience of managing security in a complex and rapidly changing environment 
• Fluency in written and spoken English 
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles. A good understanding of Save the Children’s mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our programmes. 

Desirable

• Experience of Yemen with sound knowledge of the country context and key government and civil society stakeholders 
• Ability to speak and read Arabic (highly desirable – functional spoken Arabic would be a plus) 

Values in Practice 

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values 
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved 

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same 
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others 
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale 

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters 
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength 
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to 

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions 
• Willing to take disciplined risks 

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity 

Working at Save the Children International
Save the Children  is the world’s leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first. 

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children’s voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation. 

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply. 

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this. 

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found below via the job listing. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline. 

Closing Date: 8th September, 2025

Queries: Husna Chioccola, Senior Manager, Executive Hiring, Save the Children International

Our recruitment process:

• Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter 
• Three-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team and SLT 
• Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage
• If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks 

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities. 

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.