Job Vacancies at ACTED Nigeria

Ref: CSM / NIA
Employment Type: Fixed Term
Duration: 12 Months
Start Date: ASAP

Context

• Present in Nigeria since 2017, ACTED teams are supporting displaced and conflict-affected populations in the North-East of the country, around Maiduguri, with a coordination office based in Abuja.
• The NGO provides emergency assistance to the most vulnerable populations through a variety of activities, such as building emergency shelters, distributing non-food items, assisting in the management of camps for displaced persons or providing logistical support as well as information management services to the humanitarian community.

Objectives
You will be in charge of:

• Ensure the safety, security and integrity of ACTED staff, assets, premises and programs in-country, in particular by constantly monitoring and anticipating security risk, by designing and enforcing context-specific risk mitigation rules and procedures, by ensuring MOSS compliance in all ACTED premises, by preparing and updating contingency and evacuation plans and by providing all ACTED staff with appropriate security training.

Duties And Responsibilities
Department management:

• Oversee the recruitment and selection of qualified national security field staff, recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with the Country Director
• Supervise and mentor national security officers, focal points, guards and drivers
• Make frequent site visits to ACTED premises to carry out performance assessments and provide constant support to the security team
• Maintain open lines of communications with all field staff

Context & Risk analysis:

• Develop and regularly update the country security profile (with regards to the socio-economic, political and/or military situation in the country, the country criminality profile, the nature of ongoing conflicts or crises climatic & seismic hazards and health risks, )
• Follow-up on major country events and developments
• Analyse and locate key local stakeholders
• Develop security trend analysis
• Ensure internal incident tracking system is utilized properly: create a security incident database and perform incident mapping and analysis
• Fill in and regularly update the Risk Analysis Matrix (threat, likelihood, impact, level of vulnerability, level of risk)
• Carry out security assessments of new ACTED areas of intervention or areas under Phase C

Develop and update Country Security Plans, SOPs and Contingency Plans:

• Draft and regularly update the Country Security Plan (CSP) for validation by the Country Director and endorsement by HQ
• Recommend changes in the Country Security Plan to Country Director and HQ Security department
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) adapted to the local context
• Draft and regularly update evacuation and contingency plans in capital and support Area Coordinators in developing Area evacuation and contingency plans.
• Ensure preparedness to evacuation and contingencies (check contingency kits, first aid kits etc.).
• Design and drill a security communication tree (warden system), emergency radio network, and provisioning of emergency supplies for field personnel

Daily Security Management:

• Coordinate and monitor security activities to ensure that safety and security policies and procedures are implemented
• Ensure that all field staff are fully cognizant of prevailing security threats and fully advised on means to reduce their vulnerability to those threats
• Monitor the security preparedness of country staff and enforce staff compliance with internal security rules and SOPs, ensuring they are communicated to all staff and understood
• Set up and control the implementation of mitigation measures and security rules according to the local context
• Ensure compliance with Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and develop action plans for a security upgrade
• Carry out security assessments of new ACTED facilities, ensure a standard level of facilities protection, and supervise guards.
• Ensure missions have adapted communication means, and ensure maintenance to support the Logistic team in the Country. Ensure constant update of the emergency contact list and timely issuance of ID cards.
• Ensure a proper level of preparation before moving on the field, ensure transportation means are adapted, ensure good fleet maintenance, and set movement rules which are adapted to the local context to support the Logistics team in the Country. Ensure operational follow-up of movements.
• Ensure logistics follow a servicing and maintenance schedule for vehicles
• Spearhead security assessment missions prior to ACTED staff deployment to a new area and ensure minimum security standards are in place before their installation.
• Support and participate in assessment mission in phase C or D area

Crisis Management:

• Adapt crisis management protocols to the local situation
• Act as a key member of the Crisis Management Team so that safety policies and procedures are implemented

Reporting:

• Ensure weekly/monthly security reports are completed and sent to HQ, providing timely updates of all situational and security developments including investigation of security incidents
• Produce real-time incidents report (using Form SEC-03)
• Send updated TITANIC on a monthly basis to the Country Director and HQ Security Department.

Training and Briefing:

• Conduct security briefing for each new international staff arriving in-country.
• Design security training modules for Country Director’s approval and HQ endorsement.
• Determine training needs for the security staff
• Train national staff to increase their awareness and sense of responsibilities
• Conduct any staff security training that is warranted (HEAT, training to drivers and guards, evacuation drills, fire safety etc.).
• Carry out investigations and capture lessons learned to be incorporated into future staff training

Develop and Maintain a Security Network:

• Actively participate in Weekly and Monthly Coordination Meetings
• Create an information network in the country, identifying key informants
• Build strong professional relationships with UN agencies, local authorities, other NGO’s (local and international), and all relevant stakeholders
• Ensure external representation
• Attend security coordination meetings and update Country Director and HQ on current security issues
• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the ACTED Code of Conduct, values and policies with regard to internal and external stakeholders.

Expected Skills and Qualifications

• At least 2-3 years of working experience in insecure environments; preferably in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East;
• Extensive experience in security management and procedures;
• Demonstrated communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to train, mobilize, and manage both international and national staff Flexibility and ability to multi-task under pressure;
• Ability to work well in unstable and frequently changing security environments;
• Willingness to work and live in often remote areas under basic conditions;
• Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
• Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English
• Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience is highly desirable.

Remuneration

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid depending on education level, expertise, security level and experience
• Living allowance of 300 USD
• Lodging and food provided in the ACTED Guesthouse / or housing allowance (depending on the contract length and country of assignment)
• Flight tickets in and out + Visa taken in charge by ACTED
• Provision of medical and repatriation insurances.

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Ref: AC/NIA
Career Category: Program / Project Management

Overview
ACTED Nigeria:

• Present in Nigeria since 2017, ACTED teams are working with the local authorities to support vulnerable populations in the country, with a coordination office based in Abuja.
• The NGO provides emergency assistance to the most vulnerable populations through various activities, such as building shelters, distributing non-food items, assisting in the management of camps and informal settlements for displaced persons, and supporting farmers and information management services to the humanitarian community.

You will be in charge of
Positioning:

• Context analysis: Ensure ACTED has an up-to-date understanding of the area’s socio-economic situation, trends, needs and gaps, and who does what and where (3W)
• Strategy Implementation: Take a lead role in implemeting ACTED’s country program strategy in the area identifying strategic opportunities for expanding ACTED’s work in the area, and in particular:
  • Identify new opportunities and new sectors of intervention
  • Consolidate and stabilizate programming
  • Review the geographic and thematic footprint
  • Ensure activities are relevant and meeting area/beneficiary needs
  • Identify ACTED added-value
  • Ensure humanitarian principals are adhered to
  • Contribute to identifying new donors, private sector partners, national and international NGOs, think tanks, academia, etc. to work with in the area based on complementarity and added value

Networking, Positioning and General Representation:

• Participate in donor meetings at area level and communicate relevant information to the Country Director and other relevant staff;
• Establish, maintain and improve active and regular working relationships with other NGOs, UN agencies, clusters, working groups, consortia, etc. at area level ensuring maximum visibility of ACTED
• Establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with local authorities and where necessary non-state actors and obtain required authorizations and buy-in for ACTED’s activities at area level
• Ensure ACTED is represented in key clusters, working groups, NGO coordination bodies, etc. at area level

Proposal Development:

• Lead assessment(s) at area level to ensure proposals are relevant
• Support the Country Director and Project Development Department in proposal conceptualisation (problem statement, logframe) within the framework of the country, regional and global strategy
• Contribute to budget design ensure budget needs at area level have been taken into consideration
• Advocacy: Contribute to drafting issues papers, advocacy notes, press releases on relevant humanitarian and development issues in the area of operation
• Promotion of ACTED network: Keep abreast with and contribute to ACTED’s global initiatives and global trends, in particular Impact (REACH, Agora), Convergences and Oxus

Management and Internal Coordination:
Staff Management:

• Ensure that all staff in the area understand and are able to perform their roles and responsibilities related to area operations and link with the capital Head of Departments
• Promote team building, productivity and staff welfare
• Mentor and support the team to build capacities, and improve efficiency and performance, and follow career management
• Manage interpersonal conflicts among staff at area level

Internal Coordination:

• Facilitate interdepartmental communication and information sharing for a positive working environment
• Ensure implementation of ACTED coordination mechanism at area level (WAM, MAR, FLAT meeting, etc.)

Project Implementation Follow-up:
Project Implementation Tracking:

• Supervise Project Managers in the area and provide support to project implementation through troubleshooting and eliminating blocking points
• Monitor output achievement, cash burn rates and ensure a time completion of projects through review of PMFs, BFUs and project reports
• Ensure that relevant project information are up-to-date and available for reporting purposes
• Ensure coordination and complementarity amongst projects within the area of intervention

Project Quality Control:

• Ensure the application of a practical field-based M&E system/plan for each project
• Conduct frequent field visits to project sites to assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources
• Advise Project Managers to adapt projects according to monitoring and evaluation findings
• Ensure beneficiary feedback mechanisms are in place
• Ensure capitalisation of best practices and lessons learnt for projects in the area of operations.

Partner Management:

• Identify potential local partners in the area based on an assessment of complementarity and added value
• Provide support to partners in project implementation and ensure timely and qualitative implementation of projects by partners in line with ACTED and donor requirements

FLATS Management:
Finance Management:

• Control project budgets at area level to avoid under/over spending
• Ensure accurate budget forecasting and efficient cash flow management
• Ensure timely and accurate area finance TITANIC reporting

Logistics & IT Management:

• Ensure timely procurement and adherence to rules of origin and nationality at area level
• Ensure quality supply management at area level
• Ensure proper asset management at area level and enforce asset investment policy
• Ensure proper stock management at area level
• Ensure proper IT systems, data back-up and protection from malware at area level
• Ensure sufficient and reliable means of communication at area level
• Ensure timely and accurate area logistics TITANIC reporting

Administration and HR Management:

• Ensure transparent and timely recruitment of national staff and contribute to international staff recruitment upon capital request
• Proactively adapt the staffing structure to needs and funding
• Ensure regular performance appraisal and career management for staff at area level
• Ensure timely and accurate area HR TITANIC reporting
• Ensure timely exit forms

Transparency / Compliance Management:

• Minimize risk of fraud and corruption by ensuring adherence to ACTED FLATS procedures
• Ensure that staff is aware of ACTED’s transparency and whistleblowing policy

Security Management:

• Analyse the security context at area level and in close collaboration with the Country Security Manager contribute to defining, analysing and evaluating risks
• Engage with relevant key stakeholders at area level to ensure access and support of interventions
• Address security and safety risks by implementing standard operating procedures defined for the area
• Ensure the offices and houses conform to recommended security, health and safety standards
• Ensure all staff in the area adhere to security procedures
• Ensure security incidents at area level are promptly reported to the capital

Expected Skills and Qualifications

• University Education in a relevant field such as international Development, Emergency Operations, Humanitarian Programming, Technical Degree in Camp Management, or the like.
• At least four years relevant work experience, preferably including camp settings
• Extensive project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in emergency and/or development programmes
• Base management skills preferred
• Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
• Ability to work well and punctually under pressure
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms
• Ability to work well and punctually under pressure
• Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset

Conditions

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid depending on education level, expertise, security level and experience.
• Living allowance of 300 USD.
• Lodging and food provided in the ACTED Guesthouse / or housing allowance (depending on the contract lengths and country of assignment).
• Flight tickets in and out + Visa taken in charge by ACTED.
• Provision of medical and repatriation insurances.