NSRP Regional Representatives at British Council Nigeria - 2 Positions

The British Council is the world's leading cultural relations organization and creates opportunities for people in the UK and worldwide to understand each other, to work together and learn from one another. We see this as crucial to building secure, more prosperous and sustainable futures for us all. We build trust and understanding between different countries and cultures and develop strong international links that are of benefit to people in Britain and the rest of the world.

We are recruiting to fill the below position below:

Job Title: NSRP Regional Representative

Locations: Maiduguri & Port Harcourt
Directorate or Region: SSA
Pay Band: 8 (Local contract) (Senior Management)
Reports to: Programme Manager
Duration of job: 18 months

Purpose of job
To provide leadership to the regional team and facilitate representation and engagement of the programme with major governmental, diplomatic and civil society stakeholders and ensuring that the programme very well networked in the regional context to respond to emerging opportunities for peace building and conflict prevention.

Context and Environment

• NSRP is a DFID-funded programme managed by the British Council (in partnership with International Alert and Social Development Direct) that aims to enhance collective efforts to identify and respond effectively to potential sources of violent conflict in Nigeria and reduce the negative impacts of conflict on the most vulnerable among the Nigerian population.
• NSRP supports interventions to address conflicts at the national level and in 8 target states, namely Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Rivers and Yobe.
• The programme has its headquarters in Abuja and also operates from four regional offices in Jos (Middle Belt), Kano (North West), Maiduguri (North East) and Port Harcourt (Niger Delta). Regional Representatives will be based in the North East and Niger Delta regional offices in Maiduguri and Port Harcourt respectively and will be required to travel to Abuja and other regional offices occasionally. The programme’s operations in the North East region are largely concentrated in Borno and Yobe states.
• These two states are among the worst affected by the insurgency, which has led to the death of over 20,000 persons and displacement of over 2 million people.
• Although much progress has been recorded in military operations to defeat the insurgents, the environment remains fragile and many displaced persons are still in camps and not returned to deserted communities. Public infrastructure and services are being gradually restored and both governmental, private sector and civil society organizations face serious institutional and operational challenges.
• The Niger Delta is also faced with security and developmental challenges that have affected capacity of government, private sector and civil society organizations.
• Therefore, the post holder must have the ability to work in difficult environments, often with limited infrastructure or support facilities.
• The post holder will work closely with the Deputy Programme Manager (Results), Deputy Programme Manager (Resources), Output Managers, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Operations Manager, Security Manager, Programme Advisers and will report to the NSRP Programme Manager.

Accountabilities

• Accountable for quality representative of the programme in region, ensuring client, corporate and programme standards are fully met.
• Accountable for effective stakeholder engagements in the region, ensuring that programme’s stakeholder engagement strategic objectives are met and programme is not highly visible but is adapting to emerging opportunities.

Responsibilities and Main Duties
Programme monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Main duties and responsibilities will include:

• Oversee satisfactory delivery of programme in the region
• Provide leadership to the regional team and support to the Regional Manager
• Lead engagement with stakeholders, including international development partners, federal, state and local governmental actors and institutions, state and local government advisory committees and partners organizations in the regions.
• Lead development and regular updating of stakeholder management strategy and risk management strategy including safety and security management in the region
• Lead on public and media relations in the region.
• Lead regular conflict analysis and development of strategic options for the programme in the region.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Regional Manager, Deputy Programme Manager (Resources), Deputy Programme Manager (Results) Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Output Managers, Operations Manager, Security Manager, Facilities and Procurement Manager, Programme Officers, Resources Assistant, Programme Assistant
• External: DFID, British High Commission, consultants; external partner organisations; state institutions, academic institutions, Local NGOs, INGOs and other international agencies operating in North east and Niger Delta ..

Other important features or requirements of the job:

• Periodic travel to high-risk areas is likely to be necessary following close liaison with British Council and after appraisal by the Security Manager. Occasional unsocial and over-hours may be required to meet operational requirements of the post and programme.

Person Specification
Behaviours (Essential):

• Creating Shared Purpose (More demanding). Creating energy and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together.
• Connecting with Others** (Most demanding). Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others.
• Working Together** (Most demanding). Creating the environment in which others who have different aims can worktogether.
• Being Accountable** (Most demanding). Showing real dedication to the long-term mission of the British Council or the team.
• Making it Happen** (Most demanding). Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results.
• Shaping the Future (More Demanding). Exploring ways in which we can add more value.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Managing People (L4)
• Managing Projects (L4)
• Communicating and Influencing skills (L4)
• Planning and organising(L3)
• Managing Risk (L4)

Relationship management:

• Excellent skills in leadership and relationship management. Should have experience of managing high level relationships with key governmental actors and programme stakeholders.

Local knowledge:

• Grounded knowledge of the regional and state contexts and ability to drive proactive response to opportunities

Desirable:

• Knowledge of drivers of violence and conflict management institutions in target region.
• Proficiency in any of the languages in North East

Experience
Leadership:

• Minimum of 5 years of leading a private or public organization.

Communications:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of leading visibility and branding of organizational mandates and results to critical audiences and stakeholders

Stakeholder relations:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of managing relations with organizational/programme stakeholders

Desirable:

• Technical knowledge and/or experience of a sector relevant to the programme.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Master's degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or other relevant fields and appropriate experience

Application Closing Date
27th September, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here to download job details (pdf)

Click here to download BC Behaviour (pdf)