Country Director at Riders for Health (Riders)

Riders for Health (Riders) is dedicated to make the 'last mile of healthcare delivery', the most important mile. Our pioneering work ensures that African health workers can reach their widespread communities using motorcycles and other vehicles, maintained in such a way that they never break down. The management of transport is the most neglected and yet one of the most vital aspects of development.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Director

Location: Abuja
Job Level: Executive (Director/CEO/CFO/COO)
Specialization: NGO/Community Services & Development

Job Descriptions
The Country Director is ultimately responsible for achieving the mission and vision of Riders's organisation or 'Programme' in Nigeria. This means, working with appropriate partners to deliver health impact in a way that is consistent with Riders' values and that is financially viable. It also means ensuring that the programme's impact is effectively monitored and evaluated, and that suitable opportunities for achieving financial sustainability are explored, developed and secured.

Responsibilities

• The Country Director is also responsible for the management, development and welfare of all the programme staff.
• The successful candidate will be a seasoned and mature leader with the ability to develop a first class team and instil a sense of shared responsibility.
• He/she will not be daunted by a challenge or by being accountable for all Riders' operations in Nigeria.
• The role is based at our office in Abuja, although travel to other sites will be required, as well as some international

Core Responsibilities of the Role

Achieve Riders' Organisational Goals and Mission:

• Ensure that the mission and vision of Riders for Health are maintained and upheld and that the humanitarian focus is unwavering
• Ensure that the good name, reputation and image of Riders for Health are constantly upheld and enhanced
• Set programme strategy in accordance with Riders’ organisational strategy and under the guidance of the COO and CEO
• Advocate the importance and need for reliable transport and logistics in the last mile of health care delivery
• Establish key strategic relationships with the MoH (ministry of health) and other appropriate partners in-country and, develop and implement a strategy for scaling-up the programme
• Ensure that Riders’ system of preventive maintenance is executed properly and performed to a high standard
• Hold responsibility for the overall growth, development and sustainability of the programme
• Oversee relationships with existing and new clients and make sure Riders are meeting their needs in a way that is financially competitive and cost effective
• Be ultimately accountable for the financial and operational performance of the country office
• Develop innovative solutions to global health partners and their transport logistics needs
• Represent Riders for Health in national and international events for advocacy of transport management for healthcare delivery

Manage Programme Staff And Departments:

• Ensure that the programme functions effectively and efficiently
• Manage all programme staff: oversee, support and co-ordinate the in-country department heads in effective and efficient running of the departments assigned to them (departments may include, logistics, accounts, technical, finance, M&E, marketing etc.)
• Closely monitor all projects, and ensure that senior project managers are reporting to the UK steering group in a timely fashion
• Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation of health impact and financial benefits take place and are well-integrated into the programme management
• Encourage teamwork and team spirit through the facilitation of proper communication, removal of barriers to communication and the creation of a working environment conducive to premium performance
• Take responsibility for the overall recruitment of the programme in accordance with the programme's needs and strategic objectives
• Take responsibility for carrying out an effective HR function and ensuring appropriate employment contracts are in place
• Submit general management reports to the UK in line with expectations
• Communicate effectively with the whole UK support centre including relevant specialists and/or department heads as necessary

Meet all Legal and Statutory Requirements:

• Ensure all partnership contracts are in place
• Ensure the specific policies and procedures for the country programme are adhered to
• Take responsibility for health and safety and risk management within your programme
• Ensure that all legal, compliance and statutory requirements are met on a timely basis, including audits
• Liaise with your programme’s trustees board and ensure governance procedures are carried out

Contribute to Riders' Global Functions:

• Manage external visitors including, but not limited to UK staff, photographers, film crews, and funders
• Engage in cross-programme mentoring where required
• Visit the UK support centre when called upon to do so
• Participate in the formulation of policies and plans for the entire organisation through the management council
• Participate in the growth and development of Riders for Health internationally

Riders For Health's Values
Our values are what we believe in. They are central to our operations, fundraising, communications, activities, and they are reflected by the people who are part of the Riders team around the world.

• Collaborative: We believe in collaboration and strong partnerships. We form strong relationships with our development partners to generate sustainability, longevity and vital health impact.
• Practical: We believe in practical and appropriate solutions. Using specially-designed transport management methods that really work and are wholly appropriate to the need is how we move things forward and achieve results for the people we serve.
• Enterprising: We are enterprising in everything we do. Global health needs effective enterprise and innovation, we are determined to use our unique expertise to challenge the status quo and create real change in Africa.

Other Requirements

• The above outline of core responsibilities is not an exhaustive list and it is the nature of everyone at Riders to perform different tasks as necessitated by changing roles within the organisation and in keeping with our overall business objectives. Regular formal and informal appraisals will take place and each employee's individual input into their role's development is always welcomed and encouraged.
• A passion and impetus for making a difference to the world’s severest problems and an interest in social enterprise are of central importance to all Riders for Health's employees.

Competencies and Qualities

Excellent at General Management:

• Is a strategic thinker
• Disciplined, with strong organisational and administrative skills
• Demonstrated business acumen
• Skilled in people management
• Skilled in budget oversight
• Able to step back and retain an overview of the big picture
• Able to distinguish when to push boundaries, and when to re-scope work – you have a common sense approach
• Knowledgeable about trends, practices, and policies affecting the industry and business
• Has a firm understanding of competitors and a good grasp of effective strategies and tactics that work in the marketplace

Strong at Communication & Collaboration:

• An effective leader that articulates clear goals which the whole organisation can understand
• Able to create a harmonious and cohesive team environment
• A mediator and a diplomat; you can resolve conflict and find ways to keep everybody motivated
• Able to identify people’s motivations and negotiate skilfully
• Open, friendly and approachable
• Fluent in spoken and written English, with the ability to produce well-presented high-level reports and presentations
• Able to influence, inspire and persuade others both inside and outside the organisation
• Proactive and shows a strategic approach to collaborating with different organisations and partners
• Able to network and leverage contacts that are made

Delivering Results:

• Strongly motivated to maintain high levels of organisational performance in challenging circumstances
• Energetic, resilient and results oriented, capable of working to tight deadlines under pressure
• Recruitment pack for Country Director – Nigeria – February 2015

Politically Aware:

• Able to understand the workings of government and have a good awareness of the political impacts of Riders’ actions

Visionary:

• Able to create and communicate a compelling and inspired sense of core purpose
• Able to lead based on the vision of the future, not the reality of today
• Able to sift through vast amounts of information, solicit opportunities and possibilities, and communicate these effectively to others
• Capable of broad knowledge and perspective

Customer Focused:

• Able to understand customers' needs, preferences, interests, timelines and decision-making criteria.

Qualification, Experience and Knowledge

• A minimum of MBA/MSc in a relevant discipline
• Must have 5-7 years work experience.

Worked in global health related sector with an understanding of the challenges facing the public health space in your country

• Worked in senior management roles and/or director roles providing strategic leadership to organisations
• Has international experience
• Has social enterprise or charity sector background
• Has advanced degree in business management or global health
• Experienced in strategic business planning
• Experienced in a general management role
• Experienced in managing large teams of people
• Able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of budget planning and management
• Experienced in producing management reports
• Experienced in managing and maintaining complex stakeholder relationships

It would also be beneficial if you are:

• Able to demonstrate working experience of local and national government processes and procedures
• Able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of in-country public health care delivery
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of fleet management
• Experienced in managing projects, with a knowledge of project management methodologies
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of the monitoring and evaluation of health impact

Application Closing Date
8th May, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates send their CV's and a motivational letter stating what you could bring to the role, to: [email protected] or [email protected]

Click here to view the Nigeria Country Director Recruitment Pack