Head of Office (Short Term)

*Please note this is a 4 months position.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Nigeria is confronted with many challenges that affect its human security and development[1] including: political corruption, conflict, climate change, poverty and weak governance.  With a population of over 160 million, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and accounts for 47% of West Africa’s population.  Despite its middle income status, Nigeria possesses a stark dichotomy of wealth and poverty.  Although the country is rich in natural resources - the 6th largest producer of oil in OPEC, its economy cannot meet the basic needs of the people.  Nigeria is a rich country with grinding poverty and deprivation – 64% of the population lives on less than $1 a day.  Such disparity between the growth of the GDP and the increasing poverty is indicative of a skewed distribution of Nigeria’s wealth.

The country faces considerable security threats with implications to national and regional stability—an Islamist insurgency in the northeast and renewed instability in the Niger Delta.  The Boko Haram, which translated from Hausa means “Western education is forbidden”, is a militant Islamist political movement located in northeast Nigeria that is not afraid to use violence to achieve its aims.  The movement is fighting for a fundamentalist revival, forbids interaction with the Western World and seeks to establish Sharia law throughout the country.  The group is known for attacking Christians, bombing churches and attacking schools.  Due to the conflict, in mid May 2013 President Goodluck declared a state of emergency in 3 of the northeast states—Borno, Yobe and Adamawa—deploying Nigerian Armed Forces to the area.

In addition to conflict in the northeast, instability in the Delta and inter-communal violence though out the country, the elections scheduled for 2015 are a threat to the security environment. Analysts are speculating that emerging signs are pointed toward election-day violence and post-election violence.  President Goodluck has recently attributed violence in the Rivers State to the Presidential elections.  Inter-communal violence is problematic throughout the country but particularly impacts the Middle Belt.  The conflict over land, power and resources is between indigene groups and settler groups. Religion is a pertinent albeit secondary factor, which reinforces underlying tension. 

The IRC is now in the process of establishing long term presence in Nigeria.  In the short term a 3 month ECHO funded Food Security and Nutrition Program will take place in Kogi State, and a six month ECHO funded nutrition program will take place in Adamawa State. In the medium to long term, IRC is also applying for funding opportunities and positioning ourselves for humanitarian response activities in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the Middle Belt, with donors such as ECHO, OFDA and UNICEF expressing showing a strong willingness to fund our efforts. 

Scope of work

The Head of Office will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the country program with the main focus on new business development, program design and support, partner development and representation.  The HoO will take a lead in mapping prospective programming and partnership opportunities, undertaking assessments, and proposal development.

S/he is 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 Director, the Head of Office will work closely with, and receive support from regional and headquarters program technical units, safety and security services, regional finance and operations staff.  The Nigeria HoO will also oversee all operations, donor, registration and coordination functions associated with the IRC strengthening its operational presence in Nigeria.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Management Working closely with the Regional Director, and regional team, develop a strategic direction and oversee the delivery of a strategic plan (update –as needed- the Country Program Strategy and develop country sector strategies) for the country program;Ensure that structures and systems are in compliance with IRC standards, and that they support program delivery and promote management coordination and efficiency throughout the country program;Lead a cohesive and effective management team, promoting collegiality and professionalism among peers.New Business Development Evaluate, pursue and develop funding opportunities with OFDA, EU, DFID, Gates and others.  Particularly the follow up funding for the 6 month ECHO program and OFDA program.Identify potential consortium where IRC can contribute technical expertise;Oversee development of strategy and work plan for agreed priority sectors/projects, including (where appropriate) preparation for and response to specific funding opportunities;Program Quality & Development Develop program strategies in accordance with IRC’s mission and program framework;Ensure the consistent use of well managed assessment, design and proposal development processes;Promote a team approach and positive learning environment utilizing headquarters, country program and operations staff and partners to consistently enhance the quality of design and implementation.Key Partner & Donor Relations Lead the selection of partners, assessment of their capacities and development of partner institutional capacity-building systems and tools through mentoring and providing structural sector-specific recommendations to the relevant program focal points;Strengthen program and support staff’s understanding of partnership principles, partner relationship management and mentoring;Develop IRC as a partner of choice for major local and international donors;Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donor priorities, country plans and planned funding initiatives;Maintain and expand participation with key donors, host government, local stakeholders and relevant policy and coordinating bodies;Work with the partner to ensure that program activities are reported upon in a timely, accurate and well-presented manner, in compliance with IRC and/or donor requirements;Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders in Nigeria - including community leaders, NGOs, government ministries/authorities, UN agencies, to enhance cooperation and coordination;Represent IRC Nigeria in external coordination and policymaking forums and networks, including liaison with donors;Fundraising and Budget Management Ensure submission of appropriate, timely high quality proposals and lead required donor negotiations;Provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of the country program including identification and implementation of required changes to match funding levels;Maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds and discretionary funds;Pro-actively seek appropriate funding opportunities and act as country program representative in discussions with HQ senior staff on strategic opportunities;Work with finance and compliance staff to ensure good financial forward planning and deal with audit requirements.Security & Operations Management Prepare and lead the expansion in Northern Nigeria.Oversee the establishment of the new office in Adamawa State and the implementation of IRC’s nutrition program.In coordination with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor ensure that the security management plan for the country program is updated and ensure the consistent monitoring and analysis of the security environment and adherence by all staff to the IRC security protocols and procedures;Working with country senior management team ensure the development, implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure constant compliance with IRC and donor policies across the program;Promote coordination and teamwork between program and operations staff to improve quality of proposal submissions and program delivery.Staff Development & Retention Develop a positive work environment for all staff supported by a professional level human resource management function;Ensure IRC national salaries and benefits remain competitive to attract and retain mid and senior level staff;Support and hold management staff accountable for providing staff development opportunities and planning;Identify and mentor high-performing national and international staff (including national staff with potential to transition to international positions within IRC).Office ManagementEnsure that all IRC Nigeria policies, procedures and practices are in compliance with IRC, donor and national requirements;Ensure  that finance and administration tasks are completed properly and are up-to-date;

Requirements

University degree in related field or equivalent program management and development experience at senior level;Minimum 6 years of relevant experience;Ability to work highly independently;Proven abilities in all aspects of project design and implementation;Familiarity with US and European donors and their rules, requirements and guidelines;Proven experience in new business development;Experience of working with local stakeholders - demonstrated ability to collaborate with peer agencies, local government and community leaders to work effectively towards a common and agreed upon results;Demonstrable experience in capacity building of partners (civil society, public and/or private sectors);Experience living in a post-conflict and conflict environment;Excellent verbal and written English skills.IRC and Africa experience is desirable

Other details:

The position will be based in Abuja. This is an unaccompanied post.

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