Head of Mission at Solidarites International (SI)

Solidarites International (SI) has not been active in Nigeria in the past and therefore has a limited experience in the country. SI sent a first exploratory team in Nigeria (North-Eastern States) for three weeks in April. A continued presence of senior managers has been maintained since mid-May in Borno state and Abuja. Additionally, SI registration in Nigeria is ongoing with the help of a local lawyer.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Mission

Locations: Abuja, Maiduguri (if possible, accessible areas of the north-western states (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe)
Duration: 6 months
Starting Date: 15th July, 2016.

About the Mission

• Solidarités International (SI) has not been active in Nigeria in the past and therefore has a limited experience in the country. SI sent a first exploratory team in Nigeria (North-Eastern States) for three weeks in April. A continued presence of senior managers has been maintained since mid-May in Borno state and Abuja. Additionally, SI registration in Nigeria is ongoing with the help of a local lawyer.

Organization of the Mission

• The mission has one coordination based in Abuja, composed of one Head of Mission, one administrative coordinator and one program coordinator.
• The project will be based in Maiduguri and implemented by an expatriate project manager, with a field coordinator, as well as a one month support from a MEAL coordinator.
• The support team will be composed in Maiduguri of one administrator and one logistic coordinator.

About the Job

• The Head of Mission is the Solidarités International official representative in a country, or in an part of a country according to the cut-out decided.
• S/He is in charge of the smooth running of the mission.
• S/He proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated.
• S/He monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the Solidarités International charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures.
• S/He mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources.
• S/He coordinates the teams in place and ensures their security on the mission.
• S/He is the direct liaison for Solidarités International HQ.

Specific Context of the Post

• SI three folded operational strategy is divided has been thought to adapt to changing context and access. It will balance a direct intervention in accessible areas (Maiduguri city) and remote operations through a network of collaborators in non-covered outer LGAs, with potential ad hoc movements from the expatriates on site, would security conditions allow it.
• This strategy takes into consideration access constraints, security restrictions, logistics issues and sensitivity of the different stakeholders.
• In this opening and operationalization phase, the Head of Mission will anchor SI presence in Nigeria along 3 priorities:
• Supervise and frame the implementation of the first round of operations in Borno state, according to SI humanitarian standards. The head of mission will specifically guarantee the inclusiveness and community participatory approach of the intervention.
• Develop the access and outreach of SI teams in non-covered areas of Borno State, including through relations and negotiations with all stakeholders.
• Development of SI visibility and representation within coordination platforms, clusters and the donor community.
• The head of mission will have to readjust the operational strategy according to contextual evolutions, and maintain a strong internal coordination with SI mission in Cameroun (Yaounde and Northern Cameroun) and representation in Chad (Ndjamena), with the aim to jointly develop a regional humanitarian strategy.

Your Profile
Education and experience:

• Post graduate level in Humanitarian Project Management and/or Political Science
• Minimum 2 years of experience as Head of Mission
• Previous experience as Field Coordinator desirable
• Experience in mission opening and emergency context highly desirable

Knowledge and Technical Skills:

• Expertise on humanitarian access management is a prerequisite
• Good knowledge on project management cycle, from the design to the monitoring
• Good and proven writing and spoke English are required

Transferable Skills:

• Transferable skills in program appreciated
• Good knowledge and experience of the Chad Lake basin area appreciated

Qualities:

• Representation, communication and interpersonal skills
• Anticipation, decision taking and initiative capacities
• Great work capacity and stress management
• Capacity to work in complex and volatile environments

Abuja Living Conditions

• Abuja is the federal capital of Nigeria. It is located in the center of Nigeria in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Climate is classified as tropical wet and dry with a warm rainy season from April to October and a hot dry season between November and March.
• Accommodation in Abuja is in hotel with internet access, restaurant, AC, hot water and laundry service. There is no office for the moment, but work can be done from the hotel or in one of the several quiet bars with internet access present in town.
• The level of security threat is very limited in Abuja and the city does not experience the same issues than other Nigerian urban areas. Main risks are road accident, due to driving fast and not very disciplined, and malaria. Criminality is very low and expatriate community is not identified as a specific target.
• Humanitarian sector being small in Abuja, humanitarian expatriate life is limited, but on the other hand, external social life can be very pleasant thanks to the low security threat and the presence of several restaurants, bars, parks, clubs, gym and pools.

We Offer
SI will offer you:

• A salaried post: according to experience from 2300 euros gross per month, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 750 USD.
• 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.

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2016.

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

Note: The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension