Country Director – Tanzania and Senegal | Felm | Arusha, Tanzania

FELM • INTERNATIONAL NGO LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

About Felm

The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm) is the international mission and development organisation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. It is among Finland's largest non-governmental organisations receiving programme-based development cooperation funding from the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

For more than 160 years, Felm has worked towards a more just and humane world through international mission and development activities.

Learn more about the organisation at felm.org [link available with Premium].

About the Role

Felm is seeking an experienced Country Director – Tanzania and Senegal to lead its programmes and partnerships in both countries and oversee the Arusha Country Office and its team.

The Country Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across programme implementation, personnel management, financial oversight, fundraising, compliance, risk management and institutional partnerships.

The position reports to the Director of Impact for International Work and requires regular travel within Tanzania, Senegal and internationally.

Position Details

Organisation: Felm – Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission

Position: Country Director, Tanzania and Senegal

Duty Station: Arusha, Tanzania

Countries of Responsibility: Tanzania and Senegal

Reports To: Director of Impact for International Work

Employment Type: Permanent

Start Date: As soon as possible, by agreement

Probationary Period: Up to 6 months

Travel: Regular travel within Tanzania, Senegal and internationally

Application Period: 4–23 November 2026

Application Deadline: 23 November 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Key Responsibilities

1. Country Programme Leadership

• Lead Felm's programmes, partnerships, country office and team in Tanzania and Senegal.
• Ensure programme results, quality, monitoring and reporting meet organisational expectations.
• Guide programme implementation in accordance with approved strategies and objectives.
• Oversee the completion of Felm's programme activities in Senegal while supporting the development of operations in Tanzania.

2. Strategy, Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with organisational strategy, programme standards, donor requirements and applicable legislation.
• Oversee security, business continuity and organisational risk management.
• Apply effective governance, accountability and compliance practices across the country operations.
• Support strategic and analytical decision-making in complex international operating environments.

3. Human Resources, Finance and Administration

• Provide leadership and direction to the Arusha Country Office and its personnel.
• Oversee human resources management and staff development.
• Ensure effective financial management and administrative operations.
• Promote responsible use of organisational resources and compliance with financial requirements.

4. Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation

• Expand international funding opportunities for Felm's programme operations.
• Lead fundraising planning in collaboration with the Helsinki office.
• Support the development of donor-funded programmes and funding proposals.
• Strengthen engagement with international donors and funding partners.

5. Partnerships and Representation

• Develop and maintain relationships with implementing partners, churches, donors, authorities and relevant networks.
• Promote cooperation through Felm Fellowship.
• Represent Felm in appropriate institutional and external engagements.
• Strengthen collaboration with stakeholders in Tanzania, Senegal and internationally.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Education: A relevant master's degree.
• Leadership: Strong leadership experience in an international and multicultural working environment.
• Programme Management: Extensive experience managing programmes and ensuring effective implementation and reporting.
• Financial Management: Strong financial oversight and organisational management capabilities.
• People Management: Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing personnel.
• Partnership Management: Extensive experience developing and maintaining institutional partnerships.
• Funding: Proven success in securing international funding and developing donor-funded programmes.
• Strategic Management: Strong strategic, analytical and decision-making capabilities.
• Risk and Compliance: Competence in security management, organisational risk management and compliance.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong written and spoken English.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder relationship management skills.
• Strategic and analytical leadership.
• International programme and partnership management.
• Financial planning and oversight.
• Resource mobilisation and donor engagement.
• Security, business continuity and risk management.
• Understanding of international church-related work.
• Commitment to Felm's identity, values and ethical principles.
• Willingness to reside in Arusha and undertake regular travel.

Additional Advantages

• Knowledge of the operating environments in Tanzania and Senegal.
• Additional language skills relevant to the position.

Assignment Environment and Travel

The Country Director will be based in Arusha, Tanzania, with regular travel within Tanzania, to Senegal and to other international locations as required.

Felm's programme activities in Senegal are being phased out. The Country Director will oversee their completion from Arusha while simultaneously contributing to the further development of the organisation's Tanzania operations.

Applicants should carefully assess the security situation, living conditions and professional requirements associated with this international assignment.

Employment Terms and Assignment Support

Contract: Permanent employment.

Commencement: As soon as possible, as agreed with the employer.

Preparatory Period: A period of preparation in Finland will take place before deployment.

Work Permit Process: Duties will be performed from Helsinki while work permit arrangements are being completed.

Housing: Employer-provided housing at the duty station.

Work Permits: The employer will assist with work permit arrangements.

Children's Schooling and Care: Relevant costs will be reimbursed in accordance with employer policies.

Probation: Up to six months.

Important Information About Living Conditions

Felm advises applicants that social, legal, security and living conditions in Tanzania differ from those in Finland.

According to the employer's vacancy notice, Tanzanian legislation includes restrictions affecting sexual and gender minorities, and individuals belonging to these groups may encounter challenges and security risks.

Felm states that it treats applicants equally and that sexual orientation or gender identity does not influence recruitment decisions. The employer also states that, due to the legal and security environment, it cannot assign same-sex couples to the duty station.

This information is reproduced as an employer-stated assignment condition to help applicants make an informed assessment. Candidates should consult the original Felm vacancy and seek clarification directly from the employer where necessary.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs travel advisory for Tanzania [link available with Premium].

Recruitment and Selection Process

The advertised selection process consists of:

1. Interview.
2. Suitability assessment.

Further Information and Enquiries

Contact Person: Tero Norjanen

Title: Director of International Work

Telephone: +358 40 764 8229 [link available with Premium]

Advertised Call Times:

• Friday, 13 November 2026: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
• Thursday, 19 November 2026: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM.

The vacancy text does not separately specify the time zone for these enquiry periods. Confirm directly with the employer when arranging a call.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application and CV through the official Felm online application portal.

Position: Country Director, Tanzania and Senegal

Application Method: Online application

Application Period: 4–23 November 2026

Closing Deadline:
Monday, 23 November 2026 – 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Complete the online application and upload the required documents before the deadline. The advertised closing time follows the Europe/Helsinki time zone.

PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT INTERNATIONAL NGO LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Does Your CV Demonstrate Your Country Leadership and Fundraising Experience?

A competitive Country Director application should demonstrate international programme leadership, donor funding achievements, financial oversight, partnership development, team management, risk management and measurable programme results. HumanValue Consulting Limited offers optional professional CV review and tailoring support for senior NGO and international development roles.

Optional independent career support service. HumanValue Consulting Limited is not identified as the recruiting organisation or an authorised recruitment partner for this Felm vacancy. CV support is not required to apply and does not guarantee shortlisting, an interview or employment. Applications must be submitted through Felm's official recruitment portal.

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