Head of Mission (M/F) at SECOURS ISLAMIQUE FRANCE (SIF)

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Expected starting date: ASAP

Missions
Mission context:

• Based in Nigeria, the Head of Mission provides the overall leadership and strategic direction of SIF operations in Nigeria.

Mission/ Role
Leadership of the Country Programme:

• To maintain and develop SIF’s presence in Nigeria,
• To coordinate, manage and develop the overall planning and direction of SIF operations,
• To develop and maintain a coherent strategy that contributes to SIF global objectives,
• To monitor the emergency humanitarian situation in the country and advise HQs on the appropriate course of action.

Program Development:

• To develop SIF short and medium term strategy for the mission,
• To regularly analyze the context, risks, operational access issues and availability of resources, in relation to the program objectives.
• To oversee the field assessments and develop the country strategy for Nigeria,
• To assess the donor environment and opportunities for funding, and ensure concept notes and proposals are submitted in coordination with HQ’s strategy.

Representation:

• To develop funding strategies and donor mapping analyses,
• To manage external communications in collaboration with the communications with the HQs. Act as the contact person with press and media.

Staff Management / Human Resources:

• To provide leadership and management to the team,
• To participate / oversee the recruitment process of national staff.

Logistics:

• To ensure that appropriate logistic structures and procedures are established and / or are maintained in accordance with the SIF guidelines,
• To oversee the timely and efficient planning and implementation of procurement and supply of items in line with project needs,
• To ensure adequate management of warehousing, compounds, transportation, goods in kind, and assets according to SIF procedures.

Safety and Security Management:

• To ensure that appropriate logistic structures and procedures are established and / or are maintained in accordance with the SIF guidelines,
• To monitor the security context (including participating in local/national INGO/UN security meetings) and act on any deterioration in this that could affect operations and provide guidance to teams/sites as required.

Administration and Finance:

• Ensure that appropriate administrative and financial guidelines and procedures are established, maintained / updated regularly and adhered to by the team as well as any basic systems required in country.
• The task list is neither exhaustive nor restrictive and it is evolving.

Profile

• Minimum 5 years of previous experience in humanitarian work, including previous experiences as Country Director, or Deputy Country Director, or Chief of Party with INGOs in similar context,
• Substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analyzing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action,
• Extensive experience of securing substantial external funding. Evidence of understanding the challenges of donor and contract management and the implications for program management,
• Extensive knowledge and experience of project planning and budget holding; proposal and report writing,
• Knowledge and understanding of project management tools (Logical Framework analysis, project cycle management, objectives and indicators etc.),
• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style,
• Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English (and desirably French),
• Ability to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with partners including local authorities.