Country Director at Project Hope

Position Summary

• The Country Director (CD) for Project HOPE Nigeria will lead and supervise all technical aspects of program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Project HOPE programs in Nigeria. Reporting to the Africa Regional Director, the incumbent will oversee program administration and financial management of Project HOPE programs in Nigeria and supervise all staff in Nigeria.
• They will represent Project HOPE before Nigeria government authorities, US government agencies, UN and donor agencies in Nigeria, other NGOs/PVOs, and local partners and serve as the main liaison between Project HOPE Headquarters (HQ) and country operations, ensuring continuous communication.
• The Country Director will lead dissemination and compliance efforts, in line with Project HOPE’s mission statement and guidelines, promote Project HOPE efforts, and pursue opportunities for program expansion.

Principal Responsibilities

Technical Responsibilities:

• Manage the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Project HOPE programs in Nigeria.
• Supervise and assist HIV/AIDS and MCH/EPI Technical Advisors to provide technical oversight to all technical staff employed in country and participate in internal trainings, as required.
• Ensure the adequate monitoring and evaluation of programs and interventions, including the development of monitoring and evaluation tools, the performance of quantitative and qualitative programs assessments, and evaluations.
• Perform regular supervision visits for technical oversight of all programs.
• Oversee the production of quarterly and annual narrative program reports, including relevant information such as descriptions of activities conducted and planned, lessons learned, problems encountered, opportunities, programs statistics, and workplans.
• Participate in program development and the writing of project proposals for the extension of existing and/or the establishment of new programs in Nigeria.
• Identify and discuss any consultancy needs with Project HOPE HQ, participating in the development of TORs, supervising the work, and ensuring the fulfilment of requirements outlined in consultancy TORs and contracts.

Administrative And Financial Management Responsibilities

• Supervise, manage and support finance and administration staff.
• Ensure that all program administration and financial management in country is in line with donor and Project HOPE HQ procedures and regulations.
• Oversee in-country human resource management, including the recruitment of personnel, the development of job descriptions, performance appraisals, local salary adjustments, and compliance with Nigerian labor law and regulations.
• Perform regular supervision visits for administrative oversight of all programs.
• Supervise National Administrator and Accountants for the timely production, verification, and submission of all monthly financial reports.
• Supervise National Administrator and Accountants to ensure regular budget monitoring is conducted for all programs.
• Ensure adequate systems are in place and followed, regarding program procurements, management and maintenance of project assets, regular inventories, etc.
• Notify Project HOPE HQ of any problems or needs regarding a change in resource requirements or a re-alignment of budgets and collaborate with Project HOPE HQ to make the relevant adjustments.
• Assist National Administrator to ensure the timely renewal of Project HOPE’s registration as an NGO working in Nigeria, keeping Project HOPE HQ informed of all legal requirements.

Representation And Communication

• Establish and maintain regular contact with Nigerian government authorities.
• Participate in relevant NGO/PVO fora and networks, and exchange information with other partner NGOs.
• Ensure the continuous and adequate communication with local NGOs and other partners under the existing programs and explore possibilities for new partnerships as may be appropriate for future program extension.
• Identify and pursue new program development opportunities that fit within the overall strategic objectives of Project HOPE/Global Health Department/Africa region.
• Maintain continuous contact with and disseminate relevant reports, updates, and information to donor representatives and agencies in country (US Embassy, USAID, CDC, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, etc.) and other stakeholders, as required by the Regional Director, for internal management purposes.
• Organize and accompany donors, Project HOPE HQ, or representatives from other agencies during field visits to Project HOPE programs in Nigeria.
• Maintain continuous contact with Project HOPE HQ, ensuring colleagues are informed on all important program developments and issues of concern to program operations and safeguarding of Project HOPE’s assets and reputation, including technical, administrative, and financial program aspects.
• Establish effective partnership between Project HOPE, Project HOPE Nigeria and the Lafia Initiative for Health and Development (LIHD).
• Liaise with Project HOPE offices outside Nigeria.
• Ensure the dissemination of and compliance with Project HOPE’s mission statement, Policies and Procedures, Field Accounting Manual, and other organizational guidelines.
• Promote Project HOPE’s efforts, visibility of program interventions, and expansion with relevant authorities and donors in Nigeria.

Fulfil other duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned by the Regional Director.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Medical degree and a master’s degree in public health or a related field.
• 15+ years field-based experience, including managing large and complex multi-partner development programs and donor-funded projects, with at least 10 years in a senior management position.
• Experience with PEPFAR and RMNCH programming.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies that employ evidence-based approaches to meet project targets, especially under rigorous timelines.
• Experience working and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders, including local partners, government officials, donor representatives, and communities.
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic and operational planning.
• Extensive conceptual skills including strategic analysis.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
• High levels of personal integrity.
• Demonstrated self-awareness and interpersonal skills.
• Strong human resource management skills including capacity building, coaching, and conflict management.
• Experience supervising and developing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting.
• Demonstrated interest and ability to give feedback, develop, motivate, and lead a diverse team to achieve results.
• Demonstrated use of positive coping strategies in stressful environments.
• Knowledge and experience with financial management as demonstrated by the ability to manage a complex budget, effectively follow-up on internal and external audit recommendations, and ensure donor compliance and reporting.
• English language proficiency.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation and organization skills.
• Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret, technical and non-technical materials in English.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions from senior managers in the field and HQ, counterparts, senior government officials, rebel leaders, and other related regional stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Has strong working relationships with actors in the emergency/humanitarian response sector.
• A people person, comfortable interacting with new people and groups, both one-on-one and in large gatherings.
• Ability to identify and analyze opportunities that contribute to strategic aims, translate them into practical plans, and implement them.
• Ability to exercise problem solving skills in day-to-day and crisis situations.
• Demonstrated resilience and stress management skills for self and team.