SUMMARY
7 Apr 2026
16 Apr 2026 – 21:59 UTC
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Programme, Development and Quality
Permanent
Full-timeApply
Important Notice: National candidates only.
CONTRACT LENGTH: 1 year with possible extension (based on funding and operational needs)
Director of Impact and Partnerships, North West Balkan Region (Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina) Preferably, Sarajevo based
Role Purpose:
As one of the most senior leaders in the Country Office, the Director of Impact and Partnerships provides strong and agile leadership across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, ensuring the relevance, coherence, safety and impact of Save the Children’s programs for children in all contexts. The role requires someone able to manage complexity and multiple priorities while guiding the CO through its transition toward a more agile, localized and partnership led operational model.
The Director plays a central role in defining and pursuing the strategic direction of program work, ensuring thematic excellence in line with Save the Children’s global Breakthroughs. The position leads the development of evidence‑based strategies, innovative program approaches and new funding pathways, and ensures that MEAL, monitoring, documentation and learning systems consistently inform program adaptation and design.
A key responsibility is driving and operationalizing the CO’s shift to fully localized, partner‑led approaches, strengthening and expanding equitable partnerships, especially with local CSOs and ensuring these partnerships are at the center of program, funding and influence efforts.
As a senior representative of the organisation, the Director engages with government, donors, partners, peer agencies and SC Members, acting as a visible ambassador for Save the Children and ensuring the CO is positioned as a credible, influential and collaborative actor advancing child rights and systems change across the Northwest Balkans.
Essential:
- A minimum of ten years of proven leadership in senior management role in an INGO environment, including experience in implementing programs deeply rooted in localised partners led approach; humanitarian experience is desirable
- Strong experience in more than one of Save the Children's thematic sectors: education, child protection, child rights governance, migration, child poverty, emergencies
- Deep understanding of donor ecosystems, especially EU accession instruments, foundation funding, and emerging financing models, with demonstrated ability to drive evidence‑based, locally cocreate program design.
- Solid understanding of regional political dynamics, understanding of advocacy, policy, and government systems in the countries represented in the region
- Credibility and confidence to influence high‑level stakeholders, including government, academia, private sector, and media, on sensitive child rights and systemic reform issues.
- Strong competency in MEAL, evidence systems, learning agendas, and knowledge brokering, with ability to translate insights into programme and policy influence.
- Exceptional partnership, facilitation, and convening skills, enabling multi‑stakeholder collaboration across sectors such as tech, finance, academia, youth networks and civil society.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including coaching, mentoring, team leadership, conflict resolution, and the ability to work across cultures and disciplines.
- Highly developed communication, writing, analytical and representation skills, with ability to manage complexity, prioritize, and operate under pressure.
- High self-awareness, humility, adaptability and commitment to continuous learning
- Fluent in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian and strong working command of English
- Experience in strategic planning and change management processes, supporting organizational and programmatic transformation is an advantage.
- Experience in working in North West Balkan region and on the regional and cross border type of project would be considered as an advantage
- Legal right to work in the office location is essential
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
- No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
- All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
- Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organisation and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.
While we thank all the applicants for the expressed interest, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.