POSITION SUMMARY:

The Country Director (CD) for the Caribbean provides strategic vision, context analysis, and leadership to ensure that HIAS’ operations in the Dominican Republic, Aruba and other countries in the region align with the Refugee Rights Framework. With the recent establishment of an additional operation in the Dominican Republic, the CD plays a crucial role in managing complex, multi-country programs and requires consistent high-level advocacy with donors and government stakeholders throughout the Caribbean.

The CD must navigate intricate relationships within the political sphere, fostering collaboration and dialogue among various stakeholders, including government agencies, political leaders, and civil society organizations, to advocate for refugee rights and effective humanitarian responses.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to build capacity and provide effective leadership and management skills, along with a strong commitment to refugee protection and relevant experience in implementing, monitoring, and overseeing humanitarian programs.

This position will be based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and will be considered an accompanied family duty station.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Management:

• Develop and implement detailed strategic goals and visions for HIAS Caribbean, ensuring alignment with HIAS’ Global Strategy.
• Oversee the design and successful implementation of all programs offered by HIAS Caribbean, including the new operation in the Dominican Republic.
• Collaborate closely with the LAC Regional Team and HQ to develop country program objectives, addressing the complexities of a multi-country operation.
• Ensure all staff and consultants have the necessary tools, resources, and information to deliver and evaluate services that meet or exceed internationally accepted standards and protocols.
• Maintain responsibility for all reporting to donors and HQ.

Outreach, Representation, and Fundraising:

• Serve as HIAS’ primary liaison with key partners and stakeholders in all countries, particularly governments, embassies, UN agencies, PRM, other donors and other NGO partners. This role involves managing complex relationships that encompass the political landscape, requiring the ability to engage diplomatically and effectively with various political actors and institutions.
• Liaise with HIAS Advocacy, Communication, Community Engagement, and Development teams as needed; draft and edit materials for outreach and representational purposes.
• Work closely with the LAC Regional Team, Technical Team, and ID to fundraise for programs in the Caribbean, seeking new opportunities with current and potential donors.
• Manage the timely submission of high-quality proposals and lead necessary donor negotiations.

Human Resources Management:

• Manage and build the capacity of HIAS employees and partners.
• Ensure a positive work environment and compliance with HIAS’ Core Values and Code of Conduct for all field office staff.
• Provide ongoing training and learning opportunities in areas of core competency and priority.
• Establish and regularly update organizational structures, job descriptions, and performance measures that reflect clear work expectations aligned with program goals and HIAS’ HR manual.
• Collaborate with HQ on personnel-related issues and ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations.

Financial Management:

• Oversee the implementation of necessary financial and administrative systems to ensure compliance with legal requirements and HIAS’ global financial standards.
• Ensure timely financial reporting, audit, in-country financial legal compliance, and cash flow management.
• Provide effective oversight of all aspects of country financial operations, consistent with laws, donor requirements, and HIAS policies and procedures.
• Implement fiscal controls and monitor a system to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all financial management aspects.
• Provide regular reports to HQ to ensure grant compliance and safeguard against uncovered program costs in budgets.
• When necessary, develop budgets, budget follow up and other financial tools to support national finance functions.
• Collaborate in the interface with global and regional Finance and Budget and Fiscal Compliance teams.

Accountability:

• Model HIAS’ values through collaboration, strategic decision-making, evidence-based programming, and efficient resource management.
• Ensure accountability through effective monitoring and impact assessment; comply with HIAS and donor policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Ensure that the voices of participants are consistently captured in the development, implementation and evaluation of country programs and projects.
• Ensure compliance of staff, volunteers, and project partners with all HIAS policies and procedures.

Safety and Security and Emergencies:

• Maintain responsibility for the safety and security of all HIAS employees and assets.
• Ensure that updated safety and security policies and procedures are in place and implemented.
• Monitor the security environment and context in the Caribbean sub-region, providing analysis to the LAC region and HIAS Security colleagues, including disaster preparedness for natural or man-made disasters affecting HIAS clients.
• Manage potential emergency deployments in the region, ensuring that HIAS is prepared to respond effectively to urgent humanitarian needs that may arise.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the NGO sector, specifically in humanitarian response settings; at least five (5) years of experience managing large teams and country programs.
• Experience in the implementation of the integrated approach to humanitarian programs in close collaboration with other agencies, donors and NGOs.
• Excellent written communication and oral presentation skills, including experience presenting to a wide variety of audiences; demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and facilitate multiparty discussions and collaboration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and budget and accounting software.
• Experience developing and implementing project objectives, indicators, and budgets; experience in humanitarian and development interventions and work with vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of results-based management and experience overseeing procurement and audit procedures is a plus.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills; a flexible, creative, and collaborative working style.
• Ability to travel throughout the Caribbean, regionally, and internationally, as required, at times to insecure or difficult working environments.
• Commitment to HIAS’ mission and values and refugee protection.
• Fluency in English and Spanish. Knowledge of French is a plus.
• Requires frequent travel to sub offices in DR, Aruba and other countries.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description attempts, in a general way, to describe the nature and level of work to be performed. As such, it may not be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, goals, required skills, or the permanent location and scope of work. The location of the position may be subject to change based on programmatic needs.

Flexibility is essential in the development and growth of the organization. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in a changing work environment with critical deadlines. All team members may be required to perform tasks outside of their regular workday as part of the needs of the position.

All of our positions may require the willingness to travel, including to terrain in conditions that may be unsafe, if required; this includes those positions that do not typically travel that may be displaced for emergency response.

SELECTION PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we make every effort to be responsive to each of our applicants. We prioritize communication and transparency with all of our candidates, even those who are not selected to move forward in the process. Here is a brief description of the current process:

Step 1: Submit your application through our platform.

Step 2: First approach with HR via call or email.

Step 3: In-depth interview with Human Resources.

Step 4: Panel interview with Immediate Supervisor and technical team.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer Letter.

Step 7: Start your professional journey at HIAS.

Note: Some of our processes may vary, and not all candidates advance to the next steps.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.