The insurgency in North East Nigeria has affected millions of lives in Nigeria and SI is answering the needs of displaced populations and host communities in Borno State since 2016. The targeted areas of intervention are WASH, shelter, logistics, food security and livelihood. Nine programs are currently running: EuropeAid, OFDA, ECHO, CDC, WFP, UNICEF as well as several NHF funded programs.
Due to the deterioration of the situation in North West Nigeria (natural disasters, displacements triggered by violence that could cause a nutritional / food crisis), SI led an exploratory mission in Zamfara state in November 2020 and started activities in Anka LGA in December 2020. A base has been opened and a team recruited to sustain the presence and carried out activities funded by on-going Emergency grants. The batch of activities are similar to the activities implemented in the N-E but in a different working environment.
Mission: size, bases, budget, number of expatriates and national staffs.
Currently, the mission coordination is settled in Maiduguri (N-E) and activities are implemented trough 4 operational bases: Maiduguri, Dikwa, Ngala and Monguno. A liaison office in Abuja, where the Country Director is also regularly present, allows the coordination with donors, national authorities, and Abuja-based NGOs.
The NW Area Coordinator is based in Abuja with a team based in Gusau, capital of Zamfara State. The team includes an expatriate Field Coordinator, a Project Manager, Support function Managers as well as the program and support teams.
There are currently 20 expatriates in the mission and about 200 national staffs. The overall budget of the mission is about 9 million Euros.
The main challenges:
The Area Coordinator (AC) is directly in charge of all operational aspects of the Nigeria mission in North West Nigeria (NW) and provides direction, development and leadership to the teams on the ground.
Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the AC is supported in this task by the Nigeria mission Coordinators based in Maiduguri who have functional relationships with NW field teams.
The Gusau team is currently composed of an expatriate FC, a dep FC, a Project Manager, Regional Logistics Manager, Regional Administrative Manager as well as the program and support team.
Multiple donors have been approached and have shown interest in SI positioning in the NW. As a result, while current funding in NW are rather low, outlooks and development are interesting with some proposals at final stage of validation with a focus on Wash response, FSL activities and Emergency flexible capacities.
The Mission is currently in consortium with Intersos to ensure protection activities are integrated in SI activities.
Local State authorities are involved in SI activities and other Local partners are to be considered.
The security context is highly sensitive in NWN with the presence of active banditry, local community conflicts and activism of armed groups. Security is one of the main challenge and constraints for implementation.
The general objectives of the position will be to Remotely manage the Gusau / Zamfara team, and other base teams, should other bases be opened in other NW states; Ensure Security follow up, update and enforcement of security SOPs; Build up capacities of this new base team ; Ensure strategic objective are followed, and program implemented as per Si standards and Guidelines ; Ensure with the Nigeria coordination the design and writing of the new proposals ; Ensure Liaison with the coordination team, donors and partners at Abuja level.
Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
Priorities will be to follow up the opening of the base, still relatively new even though already active for a few months, ensure activities are timely and qualitatively implemented, capacity-building of the field team on the ground, launching of activities for new potential projects.
Specific skills and experience:
Besides usual Field Coordinator competences, this position makes necessary to have a large degree of autonomy, a good strategic positioning and an extensive experience and interest in access and security management as well as project overall management. Knowledge of Si’s rules, tools and procedures is an advantage.
Experience:
- Previous experience in team management (including expatriates in support and program functions) and strategic orientation
- Experience in remote management of teams and activities is an asset
- Experience in security management in unstable environments
- Experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts, preferably with experience in supporting emergency response
- Experience in project design and writing for donors as well as in data analysis (quantitative and qualitative information from primary and secondary sources) and report writing
Soft skills:
- Outstanding communication skills, including on remote
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills and proven organization and methodical skills
- Strong interest in context and security analysis
- Strong commitment to humanitarian work and principles
- Ability to work under pressure, with peaks of heavy workload
- Adaptability to changing work environment and possible volatile security situation
- Capacity to provide leadership, build capacity and work as a unifying force
- Knowledge of SI’s rules, tools and procedures
- Strong stress management skills
Language: English is required
A salaried post: A salaried position: according to NGO experience, starting from 3080 euros gross per month (including 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly per diem of 600 USD a month. Please note that salary is not negotiable with SI.
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months.
For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with 850 USD allocated by SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL).
To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of one additional rest day per month worked, i.e. 12 days in addition for a one-year contract.
Social and medical cover: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.
LIVING CONDITIONS:
The position will be based Abuja, with possible visit in Sokoto and under certain conditions, flash visit in Gusau.
The living conditions in Abuja are comfortable even if the COVID situation could temporarily decreased the possibilities for social gathering.
In North West, SI is currently finalizing the search for a new office and guesthouse.
Comment postuler
Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.
NB: The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension
For further information about SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL, please consult our website: http://www.solidarites.org/en/