Country Director - Yemen

Place: Sana’a with regular travel to Aden - YemenStarting date: 1st of January 2026Duration of contract: 18-24 monthsClosing date for applications: 9th December 2025Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organisation works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development & humanitarian projects in more than 55 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 200 million euros, with 4,000 employees worldwideAt Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation: www.hi.orgJOB CONTEXT: Yemen has been for long the poorest country in the Arab world.In January 2015, the Houthis overthrew the President Hadi government. Since the end of March of the same year, an international coalition of countries led by Saudi Arabia allied with the President temporarily exiled in Saudi Arabia, launched a military campaign against the advances of the Houthis in the country. At the end of 2017 the alliance between the GPC of the former president Saleh and the Houthis broke out in Sana’a and Saleh was killed. In January 2018 the alliance in the south as well broke out: the Southern Transitional Council, in favor of an independent state in the south took over Aden from the hands of Hadis’ supporters, Hadi being still in exile in Saudi-Arabia.As a result of such violence and instability, it is more than 20 million of Yemenis out of 27 million in need of any kind of aid. Malnutrition, cholera, diphtheria hit most of the families and a failed health system, with no salaries paid for several years, cannot cope.HI have been intervening in Yemen on and off for the last 12 years, with its actions initially focused on development issues, notably through the support to the development of physical and functional rehabilitation services for people with disabilities as well as through the capacity-building of the national networks of Yemen Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).Since 2015, HI interventions have been adapted to the current context of conflict in Yemen. With the support of different donors, HI has been supporting two hospitals and one physical and functional rehabilitation centre in Sana'a City, building the capacities of their key staff in early rehabilitation care and psychological first aid (including specifically for children), supplying rehabilitation equipment, and directly providing functional rehabilitation care and psychosocial support to war affected people (including through the donation of assistive devices and provision of Prosthesis). In 2017, these activities have extended to new facilities in and around Sana’a. HI also supports three centres in Aden with similar programming.In parallel, HI implements inclusive humanitarian action, by increasingly piloting inclusive interventions and promoting disability inclusive coordination and programming through the coordination system and the inclusion task force, and technical support and capacity development to UN agencies, NGO’s and increasingly networks and focal points of persons with disabilities and awareness raising activity with communities.HI runs an Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) programme across locations in Yemen. This initially focuses on Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and community engagement but is currently expanding to include Non-Technical Surveys (NTS) and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).Base: Sana’a, Yemen.Under the responsibility of the Geographic Director Middle East, the Yemen Country Director is responsible for implementing the Operational Strategy (2026-27 strategy currently being designed), in line with the HI Global Strategy. He/she ensures optimal quality and impact of the activities in the Program, through a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms. He/she shares with all HI managers the responsibility of sound management and successful functioning of the global organization, through paradigm changes.YOUR MISSION: The Country Director is the legal representative in the country of the overall HI organization internally and externally and promotes a high reputation and positive image of HI.He/she deploys HI’s full mandate and 2026-27 Strategy in his/her geographical area, with operational partners, institutions and/or donors, and steers organizational transformation in line with HI global standards. In case of emergency, he/she takes responsibilities in accordance with the response framework defined.He/sheensures compliance with his/her budget framework (including unrestricted funds) and HI policies and frameworks (safeguarding, commitment thresholds, security, human resources, risk management, etc.)He/sheactively monitors and analyses context developments in his/her geographical area, in order to identify risks and opportunities. Responsibility 1: ManagementSet up team spirit and a functioning team, guaranteeing synergies and exchanges of good practices between the different actors in the Program and with head office colleagues. Based on the Human resources strategy of the Program (in the StratOp), size and plan annually human resources needs of the ProgramRecruit and contribute to the professional development, autonomy and well-being at work of his/her direct managers: in link with the corresponding professional channels, set formalized individual objectives, ensure coherence between HI’s needs and competencies and motivation of his/her teams, develop and monitor competence development plan, evaluate individual performance, contribute to career evolution. Acknowledge individual and collective efforts and performanceEmbody and transmit HI values, ensure compliance with code of conduct and institutional policies, ensure the expected mind set and individual and collective behaviors, and disciplinary measures when necessaryConduct a Program Steering Committee with his/her direct managers: Operations Manager, Area Managers, Technical Unit Manager & Shared (support) Services managersSteer organization transformation, in particular through managerial and work practice change and continuous improvement of working processesResponsibility 2: Deployment of HI Strategy and HI frameworks and regulations in the programConduct the development of the Program’s Operational Strategy (StratOp), and its implementation and annual monitoring, taking into account context and external constraints, HI’s mandate and global strategy, the Technical Strategies and the Development plans of Emergency, Atlas and Impact-Innovation-Information DivisionsThe Operational Strategy includes a fundraising strategy aligned with HI’s ethical principles and the Institutional Funding Development PlanDevelop regular contact with donors at field level and liaise regularly with Institutional Funding DivisionEnsure the best allocation of resources to match Program’s ambitions, and plan accordingly (including support missions)Ensure the deployment of and compliance with HI global frameworks, institutional policies and standardsEnsure financial control and monitoring of operations are effective in the ProgramEnsure technical quality standards are applied in the projects of the Program, and monitor the implementation of evaluations and donor audit recommendationsFacilitate internal audits (operational, financial and organizational) and ensure the implementation of their recommendationsBe responsible for security management: in link with the Security advisor, develop a culture of safety & security at Program level; ensure that security documents are up-to-date and that all necessary measures are put in place; ensure incident management and reporting according to HI frameworksWith both potential opportunities and risks in mind, ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of current developments in his/her geographical contextResponsibility 3: Legal representativeEmployer’s representative responsibilities and compliance with local working regulationsCommunications on behalf of HIRepresentation of HI vis-à-vis local, national, traditional, political, military and diplomatic authorities and bodiesRepresentation of HI vis-à-vis international organizations and coordination mechanisms & systemNegotiation and signature of operational partnerships, and monitoring of operational partnerships signed in affiliated countriesResponsibility 4: Influence and leadershipTake on the messages of HI global advocacy to all relevant external partiesDevelop a specific local advocacy activity in accordance with the Operational Strategy of the ProgramDevelop communication and information activities, in accordance with the Operational StrategyContribute to the conception, promotion and evolution of HI strategy and policiesCHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:The position is based in Sanaa – Yemen with regular travel to Aden for representation with local authorities.The expatriate is expected to travel between HI bases (Aden, Mokha and Hajjah, Hodeidah). In the four locations, shared guesthouses well equipped with a safe-room, most of the work is done at the office but there are some possibilities to go out for work purposes. Outside movements are possible for some extra-professional activities in Sanaa and Aden. All movements are done by car. HI has set up a curfew. Regional conflict escalation has a direct impact on Yemen. While the Houthis have engaged in strikes on shipping in the Red Sea and on Israel territory, the North of Yemen has faced air-strikes from Israel and the US. Infrastructures (Al Hudaydah port and power plants) have been targeted. This leads to major supply disruptions and exacerbate acute humanitarian risks. The situation is relatively calm in southern areas (Aden and Mohka). The mission has put in place adequate security rules and processes to allow teams to work in a safe environment.Local medical capacity remains a concern for the person with fragile health, ongoing treatment and that needs close medical follow up. Dress code: Men will be required to wear long pants and at least a short-sleeved shirt. Women are required to wear the abaya and hijab (headscarf) outside of the compound. For female staff in the office, appropriate attire includes long pants and long sleeve shirts.RequirementsYou have proven experience as Country Director in complicated contextsYou share HI’s vision, mandate, values and strategyYou have proven experience in implementing emergency, development and armed violence reduction actionsYou understand the geopolitical issues linked to Yemen and have experience in risk managementYou have leadership, you are responsible and you can take decisions (including taking risks)You know how to simplify and prioritizeYou have proven experience in managing multi-cultural and multi-sector teamsYou are fluent in EnglishBenefitsAt HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team18-24 months International contract starting from 1st , January 2026;The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals;Pension scheme;Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution;Repatriation insurance paid by HI;Salary from 3232€ gross/month upon experience;Perdiem: 558$ net/month - paid in the fieldHardship: 500 € net/month paid with your salary;Paid leaves: 25 days per year;R&R: according to the level of the mission 5 days every 8 weeksPosition:Unaccompanied:Payment for travel costs (air ticket & visa) and transport of your personal effects; a child allowance of 100€ per month, per child (from the second child) paid in the field; Housing: Collective taken in charge by HI;