Country Director 
Summary:  
Description:  

Who We Are

Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships to bring life-changing surgeries and transformational medical training to people in some of the most challenging contexts along the African coast. For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has been delivering lasting hope and healing through safe surgical care, while working alongside partners and stakeholders to strengthen local healthcare systems in more than 55 countries. Since the inception of this dream by founders Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978, Mercy Ships has served more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries without regard for race, gender, or religion.

The Opportunity

Do you have a heart for the hurting and a desire to invest your talents and experiences into a mission with eternal significance? For every transformative surgery that takes place onboard one of our Mercy Ships, there are dozens of men and women being used of the Lord to prepare through their vocational gifts and talents!

**Compensation Range for This Position Is $80,000 - $85,000

Mercy Ships is seeking two Country Directors - one to serve in Tanzania, and another to serve in a coastal Africa location to be determined at a future date. In these positions you'll have the opportunity to support the Africa Service Center initiatives of Mercy Ships to ensure continued delivery of hope to those in need through management of the Country Engagement Team and establishment of government and diplomatic relations in support of vessel operations within the assigned country.

How You’ll Contribute

  • Leads the Country Engagement (CE) Team to develop diplomatic working relationships with the host nation.
  • Manage the Advance phase of the CE period, ensuring all objectives are met to prepare for the arrival of a Mercy Ships hospital ship.
  • Ensure all in-country requirements are met, including registration, reporting, insurance, work permits, contracts, etc., liaising as necessary with government departments and other official bodies.
  • Liaise with the Talent Management and relevant operating teams to ensure operating teams are staffed with qualified candidates. Centrally manage staffing & support workforce on location to build bench strength.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with the host country, media, other NGOs, and embassies with the objective of raising public awareness and identifying other potential partnerships.
  • During ship deployment, facilitate regular meetings with the Managing Director to provide updates on the status of project implementation and local relationships.
  • Plan, submit, and oversee the team budget and ensure that expenses related to travel, housing, meals, etc. are within expectation.
  • Work with the Global Security Department and specifically, the designated Field Security Officer (FSO) to coordinate information gathering and networking with other actors on security issues.
  • Reflect the core values of Mercy Ships with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
  • Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based setting. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayer, words of life, and encouragement.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Proven leadership qualities, team building expertise, business/non-profit management operations knowledge, superior verbal, and written communication skills, and negotiating ability.
  • Supports the organization's mission, vision, and values by exhibiting excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, personalization, commitment to community, accountability, and ownership.
  • Must ascribe to the Mercy Ships Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct.
  • Frequent travel between Mercy Ships' locations.
  • Requires primary work location in a host nation.
  • Fluency in English required, and French strongly preferred (International B2 Level (or equivalent).
  • Based on the uniqueness and complexity of the position, ample orientation and familiarization is needed within a CE mission to be successful in this role
  • Strong business acumen with the ability to think strategically and implement tactically.
  • Possesses initiative, good judgment, and the ability to analyze and solve problems.
  • Possess a strong customer service mindset including attitude and approach.
  • Understand and apply servant leadership, work collaboratively with integrity, demonstrate cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity, and demonstrate accountability.
  • Strong Christian commitment as evidenced by life and character.

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor's Degree in related discipline preferred plus a minimum of 2 years working with NGO in low- or middle-income setting.
  • Progressive management and leadership experience in a multi-cultural, international setting, preferably Mercy Ships.
  • Previous experience in a CE Team is preferred, but not required.
  • Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program and CE training will be required within the first year.
  • Security management training is desirable. 

Pour your God-given talents into a mission with eternal return on investment -- join the Mercy Ships Crew, today! 

This is a paid position. To explore our many Mercy Ships volunteer opportunities, please visit us at: https://www.mercyships.org/get-involved/volunteer/

**Compensation range listed is for U.S. hires only. Actual compensation may vary dependent upon location of hire.