Head of Mission - Libya

Work Context

CESVI has been operating in Libya since 2011 as the first Italian NGO to take action, in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Over the years, CESVI has developed relevant expertise on migration, and it has positioned itself as one of the most active protection actors in Libya by addressing protection needs and promoting the resilience of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs and vulnerable host community members. More recently CESVI Libya has also start working on WASH.

CESVI is also active in promoting capacity building of Civil Society Organizations. CESVI operates across the country with key offices in Tripoli, Misrata, and Benghazi.

Job Description

The collaboration will start in May 2026.

The main duty station will be 50% Tunis, 50% Libya.

The person will report to the MENA Regional Manager and will work in close coordination with the MENA Regional Team (Reg. Finance Co., Reg. Grants Co., Reg MEAL Specialist and Reg. Protection Specialist as well as relevant HQ focal points.

Counting on a strong in country Senior Management Team, composed by: National Representative, Operations and Security, Procurement Manager, Finance Co, HR Co, HOP/Grants, overall responsible for:

• Coordination and overall supervision of the Country's programmes and procedures
• Supervising projects and giving support to the staff in reaching foreseen objectives in a timely manner, with respect to deadlines
• Monitoring activities

Proposal Writing and Donor Relations

• Liaising with potential donors, writing and submitting new proposals
• Donors' relations and promotion of CESVI's Programmes
• Monitoring of calls and development of new project proposals in the country through assessments realized

Compliance and Legal

• Act in accordance with national legislation and close contacts with local authorities
• Checking and monitoring compliance with national legislation regarding CESVI's registration in Libya and other legal provisions affecting NGOs' work
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and local labour law
• Attend all relevant coordination meetings with Libyan authorities, in particular linked to ACCESS, in constant coordination with Libya Security/Access task force composed by National Representative, Liaison East, Security-Access focal point and Regional Manager

Strategy and Leadership

• Lead in the definition and development of LIBYA programme strategy
• Contributing to the definition of a Country Strategy Paper in collaboration with the Area Manager
• Identifying the main intervention sectors, areas and needs in the Country
• Keep regularly informed the HQ about risks related to the implementation of the country strategy or the need to review the strategy itself
• Support the evaluation of the activities
• Coordination and representation with stakeholders, donors, institutions, local and international partners
• Implementation of Safeguarding policies – Adult at Risk/Child Safeguarding/PSEA
• Security Management
• Human Resources management
• Management of CESVI offices, goods, documentation and procurement, supervision and coordination of potential opening of new offices

Essential Requirements

Qualifications:

• University degree or post graduate degree, preferably in International Development/Humanitarian sector and/or Psychology/Social Sciences

Professional Experiences and Skills:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in NGO humanitarian crisis management, administration and implementation of programs for refugees, IDPs, mix migrants
• Minimum 2 years of experience as Head of Mission
• Prior experience in Libya or MENA
• Extensive experience of working within a senior management role within a complex country programme in recovery and emergency response/in fragile state/protracted crises
• Experience of managing multi-donor and multi-site programs
• Proven leadership and management experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including active mentoring and coaching
• Solid diplomatic skills with the ability to manage a variety of internal and external relationships
• Familiarity with the following sectors: protection, livelihoods
• Strong project writing skills and the ability to develop policies, plans, and strategies for implementation
• Self-motivated, proactive, resilient and able to work independently
• Highly result-oriented with the ability to manage workload and stress
• Good capacity in Security management
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Desirable Requirements

• Prior experience in Libya
• Knowledge of Arabic
• Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)

We Offer

• Contract duration: 12 months, renewable
• Salary range: €3800-4200 gross monthly
• Health insurance
• 1 round trip flight each 12 months