Country Representative, Burkina Faso at Save the Children International: Lead Transformational Change for Children Across West Africa
If you’re an experienced international development leader with a passion for humanitarian action, child rights, and organizational leadership, the Country Representative position with Save the Children International offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference. Based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, this permanent executive leadership role places you at the forefront of one of the world’s most respected child-focused organizations, overseeing strategic programs, humanitarian operations, partnerships, and advocacy that improve the lives of vulnerable children.
As a member of the West and Central Africa Senior Leadership Team, you will guide country operations, strengthen partnerships, lead high-performing teams, and ensure quality programming in one of the region’s most complex humanitarian contexts. Applications close on 10 August 2026.
About Save the Children International
For more than a century, Save the Children International has worked to ensure that every child survives, learns, and is protected. Today, the organization operates in 116 countries, employing approximately 25,000 staff who deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance, education, health, nutrition, child protection, and development programs.
Driven by its global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, Save the Children works alongside governments, donors, communities, and partners to create sustainable solutions that improve children’s lives. The organization is widely recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation, diversity, and evidence-based programming.
About the Country Representative Role
The Country Representative serves as the senior leader for Save the Children’s operations in Burkina Faso. Reporting to the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, the successful candidate will oversee the country’s strategic direction, operational excellence, and representation while contributing to the regional leadership agenda.
The position carries responsibility for transforming the country office under a new operating model while ensuring the successful implementation of programs that support children affected by poverty, conflict, displacement, and humanitarian emergencies.
The role also includes managing relationships with government institutions, international donors, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, and national partners to strengthen programming and expand funding opportunities.
Strategic Leadership
One of the primary responsibilities is providing strategic leadership for the Burkina Faso Country Office.
The successful candidate will:
- Lead implementation of the country strategy.
- Align national operations with regional and global priorities.
- Guide organizational transformation.
- Support coordination across multiple program teams.
- Promote organizational learning and knowledge sharing.
- Ensure all interventions prioritize the rights and wellbeing of children.
As part of the regional senior leadership team, the Country Representative will also contribute to broader strategic decisions affecting Save the Children’s operations across West and Central Africa.
Programme Management
The Country Representative oversees a broad portfolio of humanitarian and development programs designed to improve outcomes for children.
Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring high-quality program delivery.
- Supporting advocacy initiatives.
- Strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Coordinating emergency preparedness and response.
- Managing country operational plans.
- Ensuring programs align with national priorities and organizational standards.
The role requires balancing emergency response with long-term development initiatives while maintaining a strong focus on measurable impact.
Representation and Partnership Building
The Country Representative acts as the public face of Save the Children in Burkina Faso.
This includes representing the organization before:
- Government ministries
- United Nations agencies
- International NGOs
- Civil society organizations
- Bilateral and multilateral donors
- National coordination forums
- Development partners
Building trust and maintaining productive relationships with these stakeholders is essential for expanding programs and strengthening advocacy for children’s rights.
Funding and Donor Engagement
A significant component of the role involves maintaining and growing the country program’s funding base.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing donor relationships.
- Managing institutional funding.
- Ensuring donor compliance.
- Supporting proposal development.
- Coordinating with Save the Children Members.
- Strengthening partnerships with funding agencies.
The successful candidate will work closely with donors including USAID, the European Union, FCDO, and other international funding organizations.
Financial and Operational Oversight
Strong governance is critical to organizational success.
The Country Representative will oversee:
- Financial planning and budgeting.
- Procurement systems.
- Asset management.
- Internal controls.
- Audit compliance.
- Governance standards.
- Partner financial oversight.
These responsibilities ensure accountability while supporting efficient program implementation.
Security and Risk Management
Given the evolving humanitarian situation in Burkina Faso, the Country Representative plays a central role in organizational security.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintaining country security plans.
- Monitoring the security environment.
- Ensuring staff compliance with security procedures.
- Supporting risk management.
- Protecting staff and organizational assets.
Effective leadership during emergencies is essential in this position.
Human Resource Leadership
The successful candidate will lead a team with five direct reports while supporting a much larger country workforce.
Leadership responsibilities include:
- Recruiting and retaining talented staff.
- Supporting professional development.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Strengthening performance management.
- Building organizational culture.
- Developing national leadership capacity.
Strong people management skills are essential for maintaining an engaged and high-performing workforce.
Qualifications and Experience
Save the Children is seeking an experienced senior leader with a proven record of delivering results in complex international environments.
Essential qualifications include:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
- Extensive senior management experience.
- Strong program development expertise.
- Proven success managing large donor portfolios.
- Experience working with institutional donors such as USAID, EU, and FCDO.
- Advanced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) expertise.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Fluency in both English and French.
Candidates must also possess unrestricted permission to work in Burkina Faso throughout the contract period.
Values That Drive Success
Save the Children seeks leaders who embody its core organizational values:
- Accountability
- Ambition
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Integrity
These principles guide decision-making, leadership, and interactions with colleagues, partners, and the communities the organization serves.
Why Work at Save the Children?
Joining Save the Children means becoming part of one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations.
Employees benefit from:
- Opportunities to influence national child protection policies.
- Meaningful humanitarian work.
- International leadership experience.
- Collaboration with global experts.
- Career development opportunities.
- A diverse and inclusive workplace.
- The chance to improve the lives of millions of children.
Every project contributes directly to protecting vulnerable children and creating lasting social impact.
Tips for Applicants
To strengthen your application:
- Highlight leadership experience in international NGOs or humanitarian organizations.
- Quantify the size of donor portfolios and budgets you have managed.
- Demonstrate experience with institutional donors such as USAID, EU, or FCDO.
- Showcase achievements in organizational transformation and strategic planning.
- Include examples of successful emergency response leadership.
- Highlight experience working in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
- Tailor your cover letter to Save the Children’s mission and Ambition for Children 2030 strategy.
Application Process
Applicants should submit:
- An updated CV.
- A tailored cover letter.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close before the advertised deadline if a suitable number of applications is received.
Shortlisted candidates can expect:
- CV and cover letter review.
- Two competency-based interviews.
- Additional assessment or case study (if required).
- Conditional offer subject to background and safeguarding checks.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Final Thoughts
The Country Representative – Burkina Faso position at Save the Children International offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced humanitarian leaders to shape national strategy, strengthen partnerships, and deliver life-changing programs for children.
From leading organizational transformation and managing complex donor-funded programs to representing Save the Children at the highest levels of government and international development, this executive role combines strategic leadership with meaningful impact.
If you are a visionary leader with strong international development experience, a commitment to children’s rights, and the ability to lead in complex humanitarian environments, this is an outstanding opportunity to advance your career while helping build a brighter future for children across Burkina Faso
Country Representative / Country Representative
