Assistant Director, Operations - South at MSI Reproductive Choices

Overall Responsibilities
Field Operations Coordination:

• Support regional and state teams in the development of annual and quarterly budgets and financial performance targets and monitoring budget management and performance including determining and managing risk to the programme.
• Ensure equitable distribution of resources according to the workplans and resource needs of all MSI Nigeria’s regions in northern Nigeria.
• Monitor progress of field activities and make adjustments as necessary to ensure successful completion of set objectives working with and through the regional managers in assigned region. This will include managing the regional managers performance on delegated responsibility with periodic feedback as necessary
• In coordination with HR, Finance, Procurement & Logistics team
  • Coordinate support of field logistics to operations team ensuring that systems including ordering, transportation, delivery, storage, and control and reporting on the use of program, projects and team supplies are in accordance with MSI Nigeria policies
  • Work with regional teams to implement an effective system for the supply of commodities to match client demands while ensuring all regional staff have adequate working tools to aid delivery of objectives.
• Support the Director Programme Operations in ensuring that all relevant regional team members are trained in all aspects of compliance with donor rules and regulations and related MSI Nigeria standards and policies
• Set up new teams and/or regions; leading in launching new offices, project inception activities and supporting them to grow to high productivity and efficiency.
• Work closely with field operations team members in taking a strategic, forward-looking role in establishing MSI Nigeria future programme direction, with particularly focusing on driving MSI Nigeria programme towards sustainability, and ensuring the organisation plays a leading role in improving health demographics in Nigeria.
• Work with RMs to draft and implement field operations workplans ensuring that these are in alignment with projects workplans/activities, in consultation and co-ordination with other departments including overseeing field operations budget management reviews and approvals in assigned regions
• Ensure clear, timely communication between all departments on all aspects of regional programme implementation and management.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Management:

• Lead and facilitate excellent stakeholder relationships with key government/policy, traditional / religious leadership, and donor / partner stakeholders in all states withing the supported regions.
• Support the regional managers in the formation of effective partnerships within the development arena to facilitate excellent and effective stakeholder collaboration, alignment of MSI Nigeria interventions with stakeholder priorities, ensure fulfillment of MSI Nigeria stakeholder commitments to inform and influence policy, practice and critical decisions of government, donors, and the NGO sector in assigned region.
• Ensure visibility and raise the profile of MSI Nigeria interventions among key stakeholders, including donors partners, by organizing and attending meetings and maintaining professional relationships with strategically placed individuals within target institutions for smooth regional operations and overall programme success
• Create and support opportunities to highlight programme policy messages and technical expertise to a wider audience through media channels and special events, linking with communications and clinical teams as required
• Build strong relationships with key policy makers and none state stakeholders especially 1st class religious and traditional leaders, and implementing partners to influence policy change, and social norm change
• Work with the external engagement unit to regularly take stock of the external environment through external stakeholder assessments and evaluations and allowing the results to help guide MSI Nigeria’s strategic and external relations/advocacy plans
• Support the regional teams in leveraging on relationships with influential people to the benefit of the region and country programme, such as in recognition or funding.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Collate monthly, quarterly, and annual project and operations reports from all supported states/regions.
• Produce monthly operations factsheet and contribute stories/review of quarterly MSI Nigeria Newsletter.
• Manage and report monthly on the field implementation of the annual work-plan.
• Work with the Programme Operations Director to ensure operations data management alignment with field strategy, agreement on annual targets, and inclusion of data collection and analysis activities in the work plan
• Work with RMs to ensure at least one human interest story or success story are produced monthly per cost center. This must be well documented and presented as part of quarterly reports
• Produce progress reports for the Line Manager for assigned regions monthly

Leadership:

• As a senior member of the operations team, demonstrate a strong commitment to MSI Nigeria’s mission and goals and encourage a similar commitment from all team members
• Link, train and harmonise different departments of the organisation to work efficiently together in order to meet field operations requirements and achieve project deliverables in assigned regions
• Ensure that a high level of communication is maintained with other departments, as well as with external partners and MSI, especially ensuring monthly updates with government stakeholders and key religious and community leadership.
• Encourage a positive culture, work environment, and attitude among all team members
• From time to time, represent the organisation at meetings, workshops, press conferences, or other forums.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Management, Administration, Health Science, Social Science, or International Development Management.
• Fluent in both oral and written English and local languages
• Over 10 years post NYSC experience in INGO managing programmes, operations and field support
• Experience in a senior management role of a medium to large organisation, with a proven track record of leading and motivating dynamic teams in developing countries
• Significant experience in managing donor -funded, health related projects, including technical and financial management and compliance (USAID, EC, and BMGF, FCDO experience valued)
• Thorough understanding of health interventions and approaches in developing country setting.
• Proven track record in external relations, fundraising and communication
• Sound knowledge of family planning, reproductive and maternal health an advantage
• Sound knowledge of the culture and norms of northern Nigeria
• Excellent leadership skills; with the ability to motivate others to exceed expectations and to up skill other managers to reflect the same behaviours
• Conflict management, negotiation and resolution skills and experience
• Strong management skills; able to manage performance effectively and support others during times of change
• Ability to influence and communicate with stakeholders, both internal and external
• Strong analytical skills – the ability to accurately interpret data both financial and statistical and take relevant actions
• Track record of delivering quality results and impact in previous roles
• Adaptable during times of change and ambiguity and able to quickly gain the cooperation of other departments and external parties.