Nigeria: Country Director - Nigeria (217924-927)

This position is contingent upon funding.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is building a program in Nigeria, focusing on conflict resolution and economic development. The CD will work to build relationships with other NGOs, donors, government, and other stakeholders to develop and build program activities that support these themes.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is seeking a visionary leader who is capable of successfully managing a start-up portfolio of programs in Nigeria, resulting in impactful and innovative programming. As Mercy Corps’ most senior manager in the country, the Country Director (CD) shapes the strategic direction and management of the portfolio, building a team and recruiting new staff as needed to manage new projects. The CD will have supervisory responsibility for the country team. The country office is in Abuja, with projects in the north supported from Kaduna along with activities in the Niger Delta. The CD will be expected to travel to these locations, while at the same time making donor/representational duties a priority in Abuja.

The CD is also responsible for strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, staff security, human resource management, financial management, agency representation, and coordination with headquarters in Portland, OR, USA and Edinburgh, Scotland. The CD will ensure that country program operations are of the highest quality and standards and supportive of Mercy Corps’ global and regional strategies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and Vision

Lead the annual country planning process: develop and communicate to team members and stakeholders a clear vision of present and future program goals that translates into concrete programs and work plans that achieve impact and accountability.Collaborate with team members to provide high-quality reports on program activities to donors.

Program Development and Management

Identify strategic program opportunities and design program interventions in key thematic areas related to conflict mitigation and economic development.Maintain oversight of all aspects of programs, ensuring progress towards achieving program objectives and pro-actively identifying challenges and solutions, in collaboration with team members.Oversee the production of high-quality proposals and reports to donors, ensuring that staff have budgeted time and resources to deliver complete reports that effectively communicate program activities.

Team Management

Build, supervise and provide leadership to a diverse team in field programs. Create a work environment of mutual respect that attracts motivated, skilled, and effective team members and enables them deliver excellent performance, both individually and collaboratively.Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Operations Management

Apply Mercy Corps’ Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DM&E) principles and framework to programs to ensure the country’s overall strategy includes effective, timely reporting systems for all programs.Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors.Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs.

Representation

Closely monitor and contribute to the development of UN, Donor, Governmental, and Civil Society strategies and plans;Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, such as NGOs, local governments, donors, etc.;

Security

Coordinate with team members, including the VP of Operations and Regional Program Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting, and security policy changes.

Personal Leadership

Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and an ability to maintain positive relationships with composure.Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs, as well as a willingness to improve performance.

Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Between 2-5 direct reports.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Regional Program Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program staff, Senior Program Officer, Assistant Program Officer, Regional Finance Officer, Technical Support Unit team members

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing large, complex programs in conflict settings.5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building, and field management experience.Previous work experience in sub-Saharan Africa and in insecure environments, with preference for experience in Nigeria.Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.Proven skills in financial and grants management.Prior experience with US, UN, DIFD, and EC grant management required.Successful and proven negotiation, communication, and organization skills.Ability to work effectively with an ethnically-diverse team in a sensitive environment.Fluent verbal/written English required.MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development, or related field preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy.Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills.Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.Ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles.Sense of humor appreciated.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is based in Abuja and requires extensive travel (up to 40%) to project sites (e.g. Kaduna, Niger Delta), where security is at times high-risk. Abuja is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partner and/or dependents.

Security in Abuja is generally good, although petty crime is a problem and increased security issues throughout the country occasionally spill over to the capital. Schools, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible, and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.