COUNTRY DIRECTOR – CARE ZIMBABWE

THE OPPORTUNITY:

As the Country Director for CARE Zimbabwe, you will take the helm of an organization committed to tackling some of the most pressing development and humanitarian challenges facing the country. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, you will lead CARE’s efforts to implement high-impact programming, advocate for systemic change, and influence national policies that reduce poverty, inequality, and injustice, particularly for women and marginalized communities.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership with hands-on management in a challenging and dynamic environment. As the Country Director, you will foster an innovative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture while ensuring CARE Zimbabwe’s programs remain relevant, effective, and aligned with global and national priorities. You will drive the country’s strategy, enhance organizational impact, build key partnerships, and ensure sound operational, financial, and risk management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and lead the implementation of CARE Zimbabwe’s country strategy, aligning with CARE’s global priorities and the specific development and humanitarian needs of Zimbabwe.
• Anticipate, analyze, and respond to the changing context in Zimbabwe, ensuring CARE remains responsive, innovative, and impactful in addressing poverty, gender inequality, and humanitarian crises.
• Ensure that programs are climate-smart, gender-sensitive, and locally led, contributing to CARE’s mission to achieve lasting change for the most vulnerable.

Program Development & Quality

• Oversee all programmatic activities, ensuring they meet CARE’s high standards for quality, impact, and compliance with donor requirements.
• Lead the development of innovative and scalable programs that address complex humanitarian and development challenges, with a particular focus on gender equity and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Strengthen CARE Zimbabwe’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems to showcase the impact of our work and guide continuous improvement.

Partnership Building & Advocacy

• Serve as CARE’s legal representative in Zimbabwe, building strong relationships with government entities, donors, civil society, and the private sector.
• Influence national policy agendas through proactive engagement with key stakeholders, ensuring CARE’s mission to tackle poverty and injustice is represented at the highest levels.
• Lead CARE’s participation in national coordination forums, especially within humanitarian coordination mechanisms, and advocate for the rights and needs of women and marginalized communities.

Financial Management & Resource Mobilization

• Oversee CARE Zimbabwe’s financial health, ensuring the effective management of resources, sound financial planning, and compliance with donor regulations and CARE’s internal policies.
• Develop a robust pipeline of funding opportunities, cultivating relationships with donors, partners, and other stakeholders to secure sustainable funding for CARE Zimbabwe’s operations and programs.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of financial resources, maximizing cost recovery and maintaining transparency in financial reporting.

People & Team Leadership

• Build and lead a diverse, high-performing team committed to CARE’s core values of inclusion, respect, and accountability.
• Promote a positive organizational culture that emphasizes teamwork, staff development, and employee well-being, while ensuring that CARE Zimbabwe’s human resource policies reflect global best practices and local legislation.
• Champion diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion across the organization, ensuring CARE Zimbabwe’s workforce reflects the communities we serve.

Safety, Security, & Risk Management

• Ensure the safety and security of CARE staff, assets, and operations by maintaining robust risk management processes and regularly updating the country office’s risk register.
• Work closely with CARE’s global security teams to safeguard CARE’s mission and protect its people in a challenging operational context.
• Ensure full compliance with CARE’s safeguarding policies, ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations and upholding the highest ethical standards.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in development studies, Social Sciences, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.
2. Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in international development or humanitarian leadership roles, with significant experience managing complex, multi-sector programs in a cross-cultural setting.
3. Proven leadership skills, with experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and navigating challenging environments.
4. Strong financial management capabilities, including budget oversight, donor compliance, and internal/external audit follow-up.
5. Experience building strategic partnerships with governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector.
6. Demonstrated success in resource mobilization and program development.
7. A deep commitment to gender equality, social justice, and the empowerment of marginalized communities.

Why Join CARE Zimbabwe?

At CARE, we believe in creating a workplace that embraces diversity and fosters innovation. As the Country Director for Zimbabwe, you will have the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable communities, leading an organization dedicated to addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality. Join us in our mission to promote lasting change and create a more equitable world for all.