Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Recruits Secretary - General

Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) - In response to organizational dynamics, and the need for strategic positioning to confront emerging challenges of corporate leadership, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) is seeking to engage a vibrant and topclass Administrator to fill the high-flight position of Secretary - General of the Association. The description of the position and the specification of the candidate expected to fill it are as presented below:

Job Title: Secretary-General

Salary Grade Level: 16
Directorate: National Secretariat
Responsible to: The National Executive Council through the National President

Job purpose

• As a member of ALGON’s corporate management team, to assume responsibility, under the overall direction at the National President, for the strategic management of ALGON’s activities.
• Manage the Secretariat effectively taking overall responsibility for the provision of policy advice, the implementation of policy decisions and the development and management of all services and activities within the Secretariat’s allotted area of accountability.
• Serve as Secretory to the General Assembly the National
• Executive Council, Finance and Planning Committees, the Joint Consultative Committee, and all other Committees of the Association.
• keep minutes of meetings and custody of all records including the common Seal of the Association.

Principal Responsibilities

• Contribute through membership of the management team, to the initiation and formulation of corporate and strategic approaches to ensure a frame work for the achievement of ALGON’s objectives
• Play a leading role in the development and maintenance of effective corporate policy development and corporate management, ensuring a corporate approach to all AIGON’s functions and activities.
• keep abreast of major plans and service issues across the full range at ALGON’s interest.
• Implement effectively ALGON’s programmes and policies within Secretariat.
• Set management objectives and allocate resources in order to meet agreed policies on time and to budget.
• Lead the Secretariat Management Team so as to co-ordinate advice on the forward planning of objectives and services to secure a community-oriented and integrated approach.
• Monitor continually the provision of services and implement or make recommendations for appropriate changes required in the interests of effective management.
• Play a leading role in, the organization redesign initiative devised to develop the people, organization, structures and management system to facilitate effective service provision
• Establish and maintain good internal and external relations with the Local Government Chairmen, staff, colleagues, and the larger Nigerian society
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the needs of the local communities.
• Act as ‘champion’ of any corporate initiatives assigned as a personal responsibility.
• Represent ALGON when required.
• Manage staff and resources in allocated to the job in accordance with the Secretariat’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards
• Realize the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross- organisational groups and project teams

Key contacts
Accountable to: The National Executive Council through the National President
Accountable for: Secretariat Heads of Departments, Executive Assistant, resources allocated to the post
Principal contacts: Local Government Chairmen, Directors and senior managers in ALGON, and external organizations

Person specifications

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

• Extensive experience and proven track record at senior management level, within a local authority, government department or agency and/or large multifunctional organization with comparable scope, responsibilities, budget and resources.
• Clear achievement in promoting equality of opportunity.
• Understanding of financial management including budget formulation and financial monitoring.

Qualification and Experience

• Must be a degree holder of not less than 15 years post graduate working experience
• Must not be less than the rank of a deputy director or equivalent in public civil service. Higher educational qualification and membership of Professional body will be an advantage.

Behavioural competencies Building & managing relationships
is developing rapport and working eftectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Identifies and engages a diverse range of influential contacts within stakeholder and community groups, and partner organizations
• Builds alliances to establish mutually beneficial working arrangements, openly sharing knowledge and insights
• Actively challenges and addresses ‘silo attitudes’ to encourage effective relationship building inside and outside ALGON
• Understands the complexities of political dynamics and uses this to manage relationships and resolve conflict effectively
• Identify clear win-win situations with external partners

Communicating & Influencing
is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see u as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Articulates self with credibility and conviction, encouraging buy-in to corporate position
• Influences the thinking of other organizations, encouraging them to deliver in line with ALGON
• Ensures that the organization communicates inclusively with staff and external stakeholders
• Acts as a credible and convincing spokesperson and negotiator for ALGON
• Instills a corporate commitment to accessible communication

Strategic thinking
is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others expectations

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Adopts objectives and ALGON’s public facing position based on the context behind stakeholder needs and requests
• Builds ALGON’s reputation as an organization committed to meeting the needs of Nigerians
• Manages partner organizations’ and Nigerians expectations of the ALGON’s by anticipating and influencing changing priorities
• Instills a culture that encourages ALGON staff to think about meeting Nigerians needs first
• Builds the confidence of staff partner organizations and Nigerians by ensuring ALGON delivers quality work

Managing & developing performance
is setting high standards for oneself and others, guiding, motivating and developing them, to achieve high performance and meet ALGON's objectives and statutory obligations.

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Creates an organization that learns from experience
• Sets clear organizational objectives, cascading challenging yet achievable deliverables to departments
• Identifies strategic level performance indicators and communicates these clearly
• Leads and set example for desired behaviour and performance for ALGON staff
• Instills a culture of high performance and outstanding results where staff are encouraged to perform to their best

Decision making
is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Makes difficult decisions for the long term benefit of the organisation
• Presents and instills confidence in strategic decision- making
• Consults stakeholders early in critical organisation-wide decisions
• Stands by the decisions and actions of ALGON
• Accepts and promotes accountability for ALGON’s decision making
• Ensures the organisation balances effective risk management with the need for timely actions

Problem solving
is analyzing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative workable and timely solutions.

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Seeks multiple perspectives to understand the breadth and depth of complex issues
• Produces strategies to solve organisation-wide problems, considering the practical and political concerns associated with the implementation of solutions
• Enables ALGON to continuously improve and innovate in the long term
• Problem solves jointly with others to stimulate innovation
• Turns ambiguous or difficult situations into opportunities

Organisational Awareness
is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond ALGON and shaping our approach accordingly

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Focuses on the needs of Nigerians, promoting organisational awareness of how they impact ALGON priorities
• Anticipates and responds appropriately and professionally to political pressure, inspiring confidence and trust from politicians
• Shapes senior stokeholders’ perceptions of ALGON, using their influence to support ALGON agenda
• Influences Nigerians’ perceptions of ALGON, using the Media where appropriate
• Leads the organisation by setting the highest standard in upholding integrity and ethical behaviour

Responding to pressure & change
is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenge from staff, media and partner organizations
• Promotes ALGON as a flexible organisation responding to the changing needs of Nigerians
• Shows positivity in the face of external pressure, minimizing negative impact
• Drives a culture of continuous improvement
• Sets the direction for organisational development and ensures effective communication of change initiatives

Application Closing Date
26th August, 2013

Method Of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CVs to:
The National President
Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON)
10 Zambezi Crescent
Maitama Abuja
Email: president@algon.gov.ng
Or
The Chief Executive Officer
IntoIT Consulting
11, Kanura Namoda Street
Area 3, Garki, Abuja
Email: hr@introitconsulting.com