About Us
GOAL has responded to the world’s major humanitarian crises since its founding in 1977, working with vulnerable communities in 13 countries across the globe with a dedicated team of personnel. While GOAL continues to be an agile first-responder to humanitarian crises, it is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to help them survive crises and support them on the road to recovery.
About Our Programme
GOAL has been operating in Ethiopia since the 1980s and today leads a diverse portfolio of humanitarian and development programmes delivered by approximately 500 staff. Our work reaches communities across 60 districts in eight regions and two city administrations, supporting people affected by conflict, displacement, climate-related shocks, and poverty.
Working alongside government partners, local communities, UN agencies, and institutional donors, GOAL delivers programmes in Health & Nutrition, WASH, Food Security & Livelihoods, Protection, Safeguarding, and Emergency Response. Our work is supported by partners including Irish Aid, the European Union, UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA, and others.
Job Purpose
We are seeking an experienced Country Director to lead GOAL's Ethiopia programme. Reporting to the Regional Director for Africa, you will provide strategic leadership across our programmes, operations, people, partnerships, and resources.
As GOAL's most senior representative in Ethiopia, you will lead a large and diverse team, drive programme quality and growth, build strategic relationships with donors and stakeholders, and ensure the safe, effective, and accountable delivery of our work. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished humanitarian leader to shape one of GOAL's largest country programmes and contribute to meaningful change for vulnerable communities across Ethiopia.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for GOAL's Ethiopia programme, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and country needs.
- Lead and support a high-performing Country Management Team and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality humanitarian and development programmes that achieve impact and meet donor commitments.
- Drive business development efforts by identifying funding opportunities and building strong donor and partner relationships.
- Represent GOAL with government authorities, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. Ensure effective financial, operational, and risk management systems are in place to support programme delivery and growth.
- Maintain oversight of security, safeguarding, compliance, and duty of care across all country operations.
- Champion staff development, wellbeing, inclusion, and organisational culture.
Skills & Qualifications
We're looking for an experienced leader with a strong track record of managing complex humanitarian and development programmes.
You will ideally bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within an international NGO, humanitarian, or development organisation.
- Experience managing large-scale programmes and multi-disciplinary teams in complex or challenging environments.
- Demonstrated success in securing and managing institutional donor funding.
- Strong understanding of programme quality, operational management, compliance, and risk oversight.
- Excellent relationship-building, representation, and influencing skills.
- Experience working with government partners, institutional donors, and coordination bodies.
- A collaborative leadership style with a strong commitment to people management and team development.
- Commitment to safeguarding, accountability, and humanitarian principles.
Why Join GOAL?
- This is a rare opportunity to lead one of GOAL's largest and most impactful country programmes.
- You will join a respected INGO with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality programmes and responding rapidly to emerging needs.
- The role offers the opportunity to influence strategy, strengthen partnerships, drive programme growth, and make a meaningful contribution to communities across Ethiopia.
We strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single requirement listed. At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please just contact our Recruitment Team at [email protected]
GOAL commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We foster an inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued, we are particularly eager to receive applications from women (and other underrepresented groups). We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.