Head Of Mission (National Candidates Only)

Job Description (JD) for the position of Head Of Mission (National Candidates Only)

Duty station / Country

Mogadishu, Somalia – Open to National Candidates Only

Duration

6 months with possible renewal

Project title (se applicable)

N/A

Starting date

1st December 2026

Line Manager

Area Manager East Africa

Functional Manager

N/A

Salary range

Starting from 3,200 USD per month, commensurate with COOPI’s salary grid experience, educational background.

COOPI

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is a humanitarian, non-confessional and independent organization founded in 1965 in Milan, Italy. For more than 50 years we have been dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and to supporting populations affected by wars, socio-economic crises or natural disasters in their path to recovery and sustainable development, by making use of the professionalism of local and international operators, and through our partnerships with public and private bodies and civil society organizations.

COOPI in the country

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 specific focus on crisis affected populations. COOPI's main operational and coordination offices are located 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 in 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 responsable for the management and coordination of the foreign offices (Somalia and Kenya) in different aspects: gurantiees the correct implementation of the projects in the 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 (detailed list of activities required by the position)

REPRESENTATION

·         Manages relations with the main institutional donors and with the potential ones;

·         Represents COOPI in the country/area by engaging in relations with institutions, NGOs, local and international organizations and partners;

S/He is  responsible for the image of the organisation in the countries;

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 to 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 regulation.

• 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 the 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 result;

·         Supervises the financial management and ensures that all financial reporting deadlines and donor/COOPI’s procedures are respected;

·         Participates to the projects/coordination budget preparation;

Visibility

·         Cooperates with the Communication and Fundraising office for all communication, awareness and fund-raising activities implemented in and for the country.

Requirements(education required, years of experience, technical skills, soft skills)

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, multi-tasking 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 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 enough applications have been received. Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and vacancy will be closed when filled.

Interested candidates who meet the required qualification and experience are invited to submit their application by 16th November 2026 to apply through COOPI Website https://coopi.org/en/job-position.html?id=901038