Country Director- Nigeria at International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO)

Organisation Background:

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international NGO that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

INSO services help NGOs with their day-to-day risk management responsibilities and improve their overall situational awareness to support evidence-based humanitarian access decisions.

INSO provides daily support to more than 1000 NGOs operating in 18 of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for its performance, principles and professionalism.

INSO is registered in the Netherlands with its headquarters based in the centre of The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.

Nigeria Country Office and presence across Lake Chad Basin

Since registering in Nigeria in 2016, INSO has developed a strong regional approach, supporting NGOs working on the Lake Chad Basin Crisis from Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon. The coordination office, which is based in Abuja, oversees the operational office in Maiduguri, Nigeria and the INSO training facility in Abuja. Strong links are established with the INSO offices in Maroua (Cameroon) and Diffa (Niger).

We are now seeking an experienced humanitarian professional to serve as our Country Director to be based in Abuja, Nigeria and oversee the program.

Job Summary:

The INSO Director sets the overall strategic framework within which all other program elements occur and provides leadership, coordination, representation, supervision and management in relation to all staff and services. The Director will be an experienced and emotionally mature individual with advanced understanding of humanitarian operations at the leadership level.

The Director will possess solid program and human resources management skills and will be a natural and confident communicator, consensus-builder and networker. Successful candidates will combine keen intellect and analytical skills with pragmatism, patience and a good sense of humour. They will enjoy the challenge of translating strategic concepts into workable practices in difficult environments. Ideal candidates will come from an NGO/humanitarian background (senior management and programs) and are not required to have military/police backgrounds.

The Director’s main challenges in 2022 will consist of maintaining the quality of leadership and services in Nigeria with a particular focus on structuring smooth internal coordination and processes with other two INSO programs in Cameroon and Niger. He will be responsible for planning INSO’s response to the invitation letter sent by humanitarian partners asking INSO to start covering the North-West Nigeria region.

This position is an exciting and rewarding role with a high level of external representation and direct involvement in analytical and coordination services on humanitarian safety and access. This is a complex program with the challenge of working across the region. You will have the opportunity to see the positive impact INSO products and services have on our partners while working with a dedicated team of humanitarians who love their jobs.

Major Responsibilities:

• Coordination of all staff and resources in Nigeria country office including; internal coordination, grants management, host government regulatory registration, donor reporting and representation of INSO towards stakeholders.
• Provide quality control and direct contributions to the delivery of INSO services including; production of information and analysis (written quarterly and special reports), high-level engagement and briefings, surveys, training and capacity building, and emergency support as needed.
• Program management, including annual funding strategy, budget management, and contractual compliance. Direct grant and contract management responsibilities.
• Compliance with INSO’s global policy in operational and administrative areas.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Previous experience as an NGO Country Director or equivalent management experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts (at least 3-5 years).
• Experience with management of multi-donor projects. Knowledge of donor policies and procedures (DG ECHO, FCDO, SDC, USAID-BHA). This includes PCM, budget management and monitoring, donor liaison and reporting.
• English fluency (written and spoken)
• Master’s Degree-level of education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field
• Proven analytical skills including analytical editing, writing and authorship of analysis reports.
• Solid understanding of principles and practices in broad humanitarian action, NGO safety and risk management, humanitarian access, and civil-military coordination.
• Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills.

Preferred Characteristics:

• Good working knowledge of French is desired
• Minimum of one year of recent experience in the Lake Chad Basin area (Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad)
• Direct experience and involvement in a crisis management role.
• Experience in a highly visible interagency role.
• Detailed understanding of INSO mandate and services.
• Previous INSO experience (as a team member, a member of INSO’s country advisory board or as a beneficiary)

Key Personal Competencies:

• A people manager with excellent interpersonal skills
• Organised and diligent work ethic
• Effective communication and creative thinking
• Cultural and situational sensitivity
• Calm demeanour in stressful or crisis situations
• Flexibility to cover crisis situations during and outside working hours.
• Principled and consummate professional

Terms & Conditions: 12-month contract based in Abuja, Nigeria, €5,500 per month salary, 4 days annual leave per month and 3 days of R&R every 3 months with an allowance of €1,000 each R&R cycle, housing, global medical coverage (excluding USA) and USD $200,000 AD&D coverage.

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy

INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process.