Head, Delivery Support Unit at DAI

Reports To: Special Advisor and Coordinator to His Excellency, Sustainable Development, Partnerships and Humanitarian Support
Role Location: Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Level of Effort: To be confirmed

Organizational Context

Background:

The Borno State Government has developed a 25-Year Borno State Development Framework (BoSDF). There is substantial ambition to follow through on the aims of the BoSDF and in November 2020 the Borno State Government finalised and presented a 10 year strategic implementation plan that provides a roadmap to achieving these objectives, – the “2020-2030 Strategy for Transformation of Borno State”. This strategy centres around 8 Strategic Transformation Initiatives (STIs) which cut across multiple government authorities within the state. 

The Delivery Support Unit (DSU)’s overarching objective is to track delivery of the State Governments’ priorities (the STIs) to ensure that state-level plans translate into real-world benefits to citizens. The DSU will also provide high quality briefings on progress towards achieving the priorities, and advice on issues that need resolving. Its key functions are to:

• Support prioritisation across Borno State Government to ensure the state’s resources are deployed effectively and appropriately to the areas most likely to achieve impact.

• Provide strong and objective analytical work, supported by clear data from delivery unit and data management teams, identifying when specific policy deliverables are “off track”, providing informed options and adjustive/corrective measures.

• Provide continuous capacity and capability support to the key ministries/agencies tasked with delivering the STIs.  

• Ensure strong coordination across the executive, as well as between government and international partner frameworks, to support the Borno State government in achieving the selected STIs.

• Support strong accountability and management mechanisms between the Office of the Borno State Governor and commissioners delivering the STIs. 

• Work with other key institutions to improve the quality of data in the Borno State Government, in support of the above key objectives.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a range of complex stakeholder relationships, critically with senior government officials;

• Working at pace in such complex multi-stakeholder environments, to be able to drive progress in the face of a range of competing views and priorities;

• Tact, sensitivity and an ability to manage complex, highly sensitive matters discreetly and effectively;

• Highly developed communication, networking, and negotiation skills, to inspire, lead and develop a high performing and ambitious team;

• Liaise and work effectively in a team of national and international staff in a dynamic, highly political and environment;

• Highly developed and demonstrable problem-solving and analytical skills that can be deployed flexibly across a wide range of business;

• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;

• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the Borno State Government 

• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

• Ability to incorporate gender into all aspects of work including planning, managing, operations, database development, reporting and M&E;

• Treat all people fairly without favoritism;

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to think conceptually and flexibly, capacity to adapt, innovate, and propose multiple options;

• Demonstrated proactivity, accuracy and attention to details;

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;

• Identifies innovative approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;

• Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies;

• Strong communication skills; 

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

• Master's degree in Management, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Political Science, Public Administration or other related area; or equivalent work experience. 

Experience

• At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience governance, either in government, private sector, or third sector, with a particular focus on senior-level strategic, management and/or political engagement, and a proven track record of achievements in transformational development solutions;

• Strong experience in managing complex multi-stakeholder relationships and dynamics, coordinating interagency initiatives, and working with multiple and diverse levels of partners;

• Experience in setting the vision and leading a team of ambitious and high performing individuals to work towards this vision.

• Experience in managing and implementing quality-driven research and policy-level analysis;

• Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience at senior-levels;

• Experience in preparing high quality policy briefs and guidance notes for use by senior policy makers;

• Strong writing, communications, interpersonal, and facilitation skills;

• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, and in demanding and/or austere conditions;

Desirable:

• International experience in the field of development, preferably in countries/contexts where rapid progress on development issues has been achieved. 

• Experience working in delivery units, or strategy units, either in Nigeria or internationally.

• Experience of frontline delivery in various policy areas, particularly in any of the health, education, agriculture, or environment projects, and/or similar private or third sector experience;

• Experience in leading/managing complex change management processes;

Experience working in Borno state, with familiarity of its languages, culture, and context (political, economic, social, environmental).

Language requirements: 

Essential: Fluency in English, written and spoken. 

Desirable: Fluency in Borno languages.