Area Coordinator at ACTED Nigeria

Ref: AC/NIA
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Department: Regional direction
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Starting date: ASAP

Positioning

• Context analysis: Ensure ACTED has an up-to-date understanding of the area’s socio-economic situation, trends, needs and gaps, and who does what and where (3W)
• Strategy Implementation: Take a lead role in implemeting ACTED’s coutry program strategy in the area identifying strategic opportunities for expanding ACTED’s work in the area, and in particular:
• Identify new opportunities and new sectors of intervention;
• Consolidate and stabilizate programming;
• Review the geographic and thematic footprint;
• Ensure activities are relevant and meeting area/beneficiary needs;
• Identify ACTED added-value;
• Ensure humanitarian principals are adhered to;
• Contribute to identifying new donors, private sector partners, national and international NGOs, think tanks, academia, etc. to work with in the area based on complementarity and added value;

Networking, positioning and general representation:

• Participate in donor meetings at area level and communicate relevant information to the Country Director and other relevant staff;
• Establish, maintain and improve active and regular working relationships with other NGOs, UN agencies, clusters, working groups, consortia, etc. at area level ensuring maximum visibility of ACTED
• Establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with local authorities and where necessary non-state actors and obtain required authorizations and buy-in for ACTED’s activities at area level
• Ensure ACTED is represented in key clusters, working groups, NGO coordination bodies, etc. at area level

Proposal development
Lead assessment(s) at area level to ensure proposals are relevant:

• Support the Country Director and Project Development Department in proposal conceptualisation (problem statement, logframe) within the framework of the country, regional and global strategy
• Contribute to budget design ensure budget needs at area level have been taken into consideration
• Advocacy: Contribute to drafting issues papers, advocacy notes, press releases on relevant humanitarian and development issues in the area of operation
• Promotion of ACTED network: Keep abreast with and contribute to ACTED’s global initiatives and global trends, in particular Impact (REACH, Agora), Convergences and Oxus

Management and Internal Coordination:

Staff Management:

• Ensure that all staff in the area understand and are able to perform their roles and responsibilities related to area operations and link with the capital Head of Departments
• Promote team building, productivity and staff welfare
• Mentor and support the team to build capacities, and improve efficiency and performance, and follow career management
• Manage interpersonal conflicts among staff at area level

Internal Coordination:

• Facilitate interdepartmental communication and information sharing for a positive working environment
• Ensure implementation of ACTED coordination mechanism at area level (WAM, MAR, FLAT meeting, etc.)

Project Implementation Follow-up:

Project Implementation Tracking:

• Supervise Project Managers in the area and provide support to project implementation through trouble shooting and eliminating blocking points
• Monitor output achievement, cash burn rates and ensure a time completion of projects through review of PMFs, BFUs and project reports
• Ensure that relevant project information are up-to-date and available for reporting purposes
• Ensure coordination and complementarity amongst projects within the area of intervention.

Project Quality Control:

• Ensure the application of a practical field based M&E system/plan for each project
• Conduct frequent field visits to project sites to assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources
• Advise Project Managers to adapt projects according to monitoring and evaluation findings
• Ensure beneficiary feedback mechanisms are in place
• Ensure capitalisation of best practices and lessons learnt for projects in the area of operations.

Partner Management:

• Identify potential local partners in the area based on an assessment of complementarity and added value
• Provide support to partners in project implementation and ensure timely and qualitative implementation of projects by partners in line with ACTED and donor requirements

FLATS Management:

• Finance Management
• Control project budgets at area level to avoid under/over spending
• Ensure accurate budget forecasting and efficient cash flow management
• Ensure timely and accurate area finance TITANIC reporting.

Logistics & IT Management:

• Ensure timely procurement and adherence to rules of origin and nationality at area level
• Ensure quality supply management at area level
• Ensure proper asset management at area level and enforce asset investment policy
• Ensure proper stock management at area level
• Ensure proper IT systems, data back-up and protection from malware at area level
• Ensure sufficient and reliable means of communication at area level
• Ensure timely and accurate area logistics TITANIC reporting.

Administration and HR Management:

• Ensure transparent and timely recruitment of national staff and contribute to international staff recruitment upon capital request
• Proactively adapt the staffing structure to needs and funding
• Ensure regular performance appraisal and career management for staff at area level
• Ensure timely and accurate area HR TITANIC reporting
• Ensure timely exit forms

Transparency/Compliance Management:

• Minimize risk of fraud and corruption by ensuring adherence to ACTED FLATS procedures
• Ensure that staff is aware of ACTED’s transparency and whistle blowing policy

Security Management:

• Analyse the security context at area level and in close collaboration with the Country Security Manager contribute to defining, analysing and evaluating risks
• Engage with relevant key stakeholders at area level to ensure access and support of interventions
• Address security and safety risks by implementing standard operating procedures defined for the area
• Ensure the offices and houses conform to recommended security, health and safety standards
• Ensure all staff in the area adhere to security procedures
• Ensure security incidents at area level are promptly reported to the capital

Qualifications

• Master Level education in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development
• Extensive project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in emergency and/or development programmes
• At least four years of previous work experience in a high management position
• Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms
• Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset
• Ability to work well and punctually under pressure.

Conditions

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance
• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance.