Country Director Burkina Faso*

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration of one year. It is offered on a national staff contract with local terms and conditions. There are good prospects for an extension. Employment location will be Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (BF).

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has been working in Burkina Faso since 1968. Over the decades, WHH has implemented multi-sectoral programmes—initially focused on long-term rural development and, during the past six years, increasingly integrating emergency interventions within a triple nexus approach. Together with national and international partners, WHH works in the fields of sustainable and resilient agriculture, nutrition, natural resource management, WASH, economic development, climate resilience, and land governance. WHH currently operates in three regions through project offices in Kongoussi, Koudougou, and Tenkodogo, in addition to the country office in Ouagadougou.

As Country Director, you are responsible for leading an impact-oriented country programme that contributes meaningfully to the development and resilience of Burkina Faso’s communities. You will steer strategic programming within a complex and evolving context, ensuring coherence with WHH’s global strategy 2025–2030 and organizational quality standards. You will provide leadership to a team of national and expatriate staff, ensure sound financial and resource management, safeguard staff security, and expand collaboration and funding opportunities. Moreover, you will ensure that WHH is recognized as a competent partner in humanitarian and development dialogue and contribute to global organizational learning and performance.

Your responsibilities

Provide overall leadership for the implementation and regular review of the country strategy and program in Burkina Faso

Ensure the quality, relevance, and impact of interventions in line with WHH’s global strategy 2025–2030 and organizational quality standards

Monitor, analyze, and report on humanitarian and development trends to guide strategic programming and informed decision-making

Strengthen integration with regional strategies and contribute to regional collaboration and programming efforts

Represent WHH to national and local authorities, civil society partners, donors, UN agencies, and other humanitarian and development actors

Ensure active participation in coordination mechanisms and position WHH as a strategic and reliable partner

Ensure efficient, transparent, and compliant structures and processes for effective program delivery

Oversee planning and management of financial, human, and material resources

Ensure sound financial management, donor compliance, and timely reporting

Lead the development and maintenance of preparedness plans for crises and context-specific risks

Lead the acquisition and diversification of institutional and private funding

Coordinate donor engagement in-country and with Head Office

Drive strategic portfolio development to strengthen WHH’s positioning in Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel funding landscape

Provide leadership, supervision, and capacity development for national and expatriate staff, fostering an inclusive and high-performing work environment

Ensure compliance with safety and security regulations and effective risk management for all staff

Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning across the country office

Maintain close communication and coordination with the Regional Directorate, Head Office in Bonn, and other Country Offices

Contribute actively to global learning, institutional development, and cross-country exchange

Your profile

Education & Experience

University degree in international development, management, rural development, agricultural sciences or another relevant field

At least 10 years of project management and leadership experience in international humanitarian aid and development cooperation, preferably in the Sahel region

Proven experience in security and crisis management in complex environments

Extensive experience working with partner organizations and supporting localization approaches

Proven managerial competencies in administration, finance, human resources, and logistics

Experience in Burkina Faso or the Sahel is essential

Donor Engagement & Technical Skills

Strong knowledge of German, European, American, and UN donor landscapes, and the ability to strengthen relationships with donors and relevant authorities

Proven experience in portfolio development and strategic positioning within competitive funding environments

Ability to use data, analysis, and digital tools for evidence-based decision-making, program steering, and communication

Leadership & Soft Skills

Excellent people-management skills, intercultural sensitivity, and ability to lead diverse teams

Strong negotiation, communication, representation, and networking abilities

High organizational capacity and resilience under pressure

Experience in managing organizational change processes is an asset

Languages & Other Requirements

Excellent spoken and written French and English.

Readiness to receive necessary vaccinations for working in WHH program countries

Our offer

We offer you the opportunity to work in a responsible and interesting field as part of an extremely dedicated team. Welthungerhilfe attaches great importance to the personal and professional development of its employees. Remuneration is based on our gender-independent salary scale.

• Excellent spoken and written French and English.