Country Director - Thailand

Benefits

Additional Information

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. The IRC has maintained a continuous presence in Thailand since 1975. For more than three decades, refugees from Myanmar have sought safety in neighboring Thailand. The International Rescue Committee has been serving more than 90,000 refugees in nine camps along the border. Operating from Bangkok with four field offices in Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi, IRC provided: Primary Healthcare, Reproductive and Child Health, Environmental Health, Protection and Access to Justice, Women's Protection and Empowerment, Economic Recovery and Development/Livelihoods, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Emergency response. In August 2025, the Royal Thai Government approved a landmark resolution granting these long-staying refugees the right to work legally for the first time in decades marking a historic shift toward sustainable, rights-based solutions for self-reliance and inclusion. This policy shift comes as humanitarian funding faces severe constraints and enables refugees to support themselves and provides a potential model for rights-based refugee policies across Southeast Asia. As a result of this policy shift coupled with change in programming focus and funding environment, IRC has reduced its programming and footprint in Thailand but is actively supporting this transition through projects focused on employment readiness, healthcare, child protection, and livelihoods reinforcing coordination between humanitarian actors and Thai institutions. The Country Director role is pivotal in this historic transition, leading IRC Thailand's transformation from camp-based operations to facilitating refugee integration and self-reliance. Scope of Work The Country Director will represent the IRC to external stakeholders at all levels; develop strategic relationships; identify and cultivate partnerships/funding opportunities in coordination with IRC teams across the organization; and engage in appropriate and coordinated advocacy and communications on relevant issues. The Country Director will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the country program. They are responsible for ensuring the design and delivery of quality programs, donor and government relations, fundraising and budget management, security and operations management, and developing a motivated and professional team. Reporting to the Regional Vice President Asia, the Country Director will work closely with and receive support from regional and headquarters' program technical units, safety and security services, regional finance, and operations staff. Success in this position requires an individual with exemplary and demonstrated leadership abilities who deploys strong communications and interpersonal skills effectively, both internally and externally. The successful candidate will enjoy contextual analytical skills with an ability to translate the impact of geopolitical events to our day-to-day operation. They will focus on growing the portfolio of the country program to maximize scale, reach and impact by building a strong network of partnerships and diversifying program resources. They will be directly responsible for the overall coordination and strategic direction of the country program; providing oversight and coaching for directly supervised senior managers; leading country program teams to identify, design and deliver responsive, high-quality programs; ensuring efficient management of public grants and private funds for results, compliance, and focused, timely reporting; and oversight of financial management and compliance systems. This role demands exceptional networking, relationship building and diplomacy with the Royal Thai Government, strategic partnership development with diverse donors, innovative programming bridging humanitarian and development approaches, and the ability to navigate complex political challenges while maximizing impact. Advocacy remains central to the role, championing refugee rights and sustainable solutions at national, regional, and global levels. The position requires strengthening regional collaboration to address Myanmar displacement comprehensively, working with IRC Asia programmes and regional stakeholders. Experience in the Asia regi