Deputy Country Director at Solidarites International

Desired start date: 01/10/2026
Duration of the mission: 6 months

About the mission

• SI has been present in Nigeria for 10 years - since 2016 in Northeast Nigeria and 2020 in the Northwest.
• SI’s coordination office is in Abuja and there are 2 regional base: In Maiduguri for the NE, including 2 sub base in Monguno and Ngala. In Gusau (Zamfara state) for the NW programs inclusing 1 sub offices in Birnin Kebbi (Kebbi State).
• In the Northeast, SI operates in 3 LGAs of Borno state (Monguno, Ngala and Konduga). SI has also intervened in other LGAs includingJere, Maiduguri MMC, Dikwa, Gwoza and Bama in the recent past.as well as emergency operation in Adamawa State.
• In the Northwest, SI intervenes in 5 LGAs of Zamfara state: Gusau, Anka, Talata Mafara, Zurmi and Kaura Namoda. SI also newly opened a base (2026) in Birnin Kebbi, to operate in 6 LGAs of Kebbi State related to an INTPA project. Si can ensure also emergency operation in Sokoto and Katsina States.
• The annual volume of the Nigeria mission is between 6 and 7 million USD.
• SI's mission in Nigeria responds to the critical needs of populations affected by conflict, natural disasters and epidemics in the North East and North West of the country, through its traditional sectors of intervention, namely WASH, FSL and Shelter. SI is currently funded by a number of institutional donors, including ECHO, CDCS, INTPA, SIDA RRM and NHF (US funding), with the possibility of further funding depending on the development of the mission's projects.
• The mission also relies on a partnership approach, localization and good coordination to strengthen its intervention in the country. It works closely with two local partners (GPON and FINDEF) and participates actively in existing coordination platforms.

Mission staff : 160
The Deputy Country Director will directly the program coordination team composed of :

• FSL Coordinator
• WASH Coordinaor
• MEAL Coordinator
• She/he will closely work with Grants & Partnership Coordinator, Field Coordinators and Project Managers of the mission.
• The Deputy country director will report to the Country Director and be in link with RPDO & PEQD department in HQ.

About the job
General objective:

• The Deputy country director Programs’ prime objectives are to provide leadership and management of the strategic programming, overseeing the strengthening of SI’s programs development, quality and accountability. 
• The DCD-Programs ensures the internal coherence between program activities and is responsible for ensuring that programs are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately. 
• He or She leads a team of technical coordinators and advisors dedicated to promoting technical expertise and quality programming in direct liaison with the Program Manger. 
• He or She closely collaborates with Field Coordinators and Supports Services to mitigate operational constraints. 
• The DCD-Programs leads the roll-out of institutional workstreams and cross-cutting theme framework with the support of the Programs coordination team and in collaboration with the Field Coordinators.

The main challenges:

• Access challenges and remote management due to security contraints in some areas of intervention
• Strengthening programme quality monitoring processes, remote monitoring and means of verification
• Strategic positionning in a global trend of funding decrease
• Focus on partnership and localization in all areas of intervention. This requires adapted operational modalities and a support to local partners.
• Priorities for the 2/3 first months:
• Support the programmatic strategy (2027-2029) and PROG 2027 implementation
• Reviewing evaluations, conducting needs assessments and defining intervention logics for project development
• Close monitoring the implementation of projects in line with deadlines and quality standards (CASH SOP, RRM ... etc)
• Follow-up of external representation and positioning of SI
• Monitoring of partnerships and capacity building plan in coordination with G&P department and E&C Department
• Security constraints:
• No walking policy everywhere in the country / Security situation calm in Abuja, level 2 (out of 5), Maiduguri is level 3 and level 4 inother bases/sub-bases.

Your profile
Diplomas and Experiences:

• Diplomas : M.Sc in Humanitarian affairs, programming, International affairs or similar sectors
• Experience in the humanitarian sector : 5 or + years
• Experience on a similar position : 3/4 years

Skills
Technical skills:

• Extensive knowledge about project cycle management and monitoring tools
• Operational monitoring and improvement of programmatic delivery in insecure and remote areas
• Good knowledge of cross-cutting issues, such as environment & climate change adaptations, gender, protection mainstreaming, etc.
• Knowledge of SI sectors of intervention (WASH, FSL, CASH Modality, Shelter) is a plus
• Experience in partnerships mapping and development

Transversal skills:

• Autonomy, prioritization and self-organization
• Management and leadership
• Innovative and solutions oriented
• External representation
• Ability to provide training and capacity building

Languages:

• English is mandatory
• Hausa (strong asset)
• French (an asset)

SI will offer you
A salaried position:

• According to experience, starting from EUR 3080 gross per month (2800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 750.
• SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment.
• Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.
• Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

Living Conditions:

• The DCDP is based in Abuja with frequent field visit expected in the regional offices (Maiduguri. Birnin Kebbi and potentially Gusau or Sokoto).
• In Abuja, living condition are good and all commodities and goods (local or imported) can be found (supermarket, restautant, cinema, sport centers ...). Abuja GH is Comfortable with private bedroom and bathroom, 24/7 electricity and internet.
• GH is located in the same estate as the office, avoiding taking the car every morning but still clearly separated from working area (not the same building).
• Estate where GH/Office is located is providing Gym room, Swimming pool and squash court.
• At base level, (Maiduguri, Birnin Kebbi and Gusau), the bases offers a comfortable environment, in spite of limited movements outside of the compound for security reasons.
• The Guest House offers good living conditions, with private bedroom and bathroom and shared & comfortable common spaces.
• Electricity and internet are available at the office and at the GH at all times.
• Ping pong, pool table and some gym equipment are available in the GH in Maiduguri.
• All essential good (food, hygiene etc..) can be bought locally in the small shops around the office, or in the pre-validated supermarket.
• Visits to other NGOs are possible, as well as some pre-validated places (hotel and restaurants).
• Occasional field visit in NE sub bases, to ensure a correct program overview depedning on the security context and validation. No Overnight are possible in NE sub bases, only daily round trip with UNHAS are possible.