Apply: Project HOPE Country Director

By Gift Ejeh Ojima
May 27, 2024

Deadline: Not specified

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Project Hope is seeking to fill the position of Country Director.

Project Hope is an international NGO with employees and volunteers who work around the world, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges.

Responsibilities

Manage the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Project HOPE programmes in Nigeria
Develop country specific strategic plan and proposals for programmes in line with Project HOPE’s global operational framework, considering country priority needs and in collaboration with HQ Technical Unit
Coordinate with headquarters and country departments to design and implement high-quality programmes, ensuring all programmes are completed within time, within budget, achieving programme objectives and in line with principles, values, minimum standards, policies and strategic plans
Supervise and assist programme technical directors/programme managers to provide technical oversight to all technical staff employed in country and participate in internal trainings, as required
Ensure adequate monitoring and evaluation of programmes and interventions, including the development of monitoring and evaluation tools, the performance of quantitative and qualitative programmes assessments, and evaluations
Perform regular supervision visits for technical oversight of all programmes
Oversee the production of quarterly and annual narrative programme reports, including relevant information such as descriptions of activities conducted and planned, lessons learned, problems encountered, opportunities, programmes statistics, and work plans
Participate in programme development and the writing of project proposals for the extension of existing and/or the establishment of new programmes in Nigeria
Maintain and expand the country donor and financial portfolio
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
When applicable, provide technical inputs and assistance to programmes including financial management and reporting systems
Oversee programme operations and reporting, ensuring compliance with agency Project HOPE technical standards, policies and procedures, donor regulations and local laws
Facilitate investigations on violations of policies as appropriate
Oversee the preparation of annual work plans and budgets
Ensure compliance with local labor, NGO and technicality laws or present concerns to regional director / HQ legal
Roll out protection risk assessment across all the projects and implement subsequent action plans for safeguarding
Support the implementation of the community-based feedback and response mechanisms across the mission
Supervise and support finance and administration staff
Ensure that all programme 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 labour law and regulations
Perform regular supervision visits for administrative oversight of all programmes
Supervise finance and administrative team ensuring 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 programmes
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
Determine training needs for the field staff in coordination with relevant supervisors
Establish and maintain regular contact with Nigerian government authorities
Represent the organisation and liaise with local and national authorities, United Nations, NGO, and donor agencies, to promote the organisation’s programmes, facilitate successful coordination of activities and ensure transparency and accountability to all stakeholders
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 programmes and explore possibilities for new partnerships as may be appropriate for future programme extension
Identify and pursue new programme 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 and other stakeholders, as required by the regional director, for internal management purposes
Organise and accompany donors, Project HOPE HQ, or representatives from other agencies during field visits to Project HOPE programmes in Nigeria
Maintain continuous contact with Project HOPE HQ, ensuring colleagues are informed on all important programme developments and issues of concern to programme 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 organisational guidelines
Promote Project HOPE’s efforts, visibility of programme interventions, and expansion with relevant authorities and donors in Nigeria
Establish and update contact details of potential donors in-country
Participate in donor meetings and communicate relevant information to HQ
Work with key donor staff to develop and maintain optimum financial and programmatic relationship
Ensure maximum visibility of the agency amongst the NGO community
Lead the production of reports and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of information provided, as well ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information
Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of the organisations code of conduct, ethics, values and standpoint with regard to internal and external actors
Security management of staff, operations, assets, direct country-specific response to security threats and incidents, up to and including management of evacuation
Monitor security level in collaboration with programmes and operations manager and consult with the HQ Global Security senior management to upgrade or downgrade level
Responsible for ensuring that incident report forms are completed and submitted to HQ Security in a timely manner
Responsible for ensuring the programmes and operations manager give all staff a security briefing and required documentation upon entry into the country
Ensure application and compliance of security protocols and policies
In cooperation with the security focal person, monitor the security situation and inform the HQ Security Management through weekly security reports
Ensure that country security guidelines, SOP’s and policies are updated twice annually (31 July and 31 January) including contingency planning for evacuation, in accordance with agency protocols and respected by all staff

Requirements

Medical degree and a master’s degree in public health or a related field
Fifteen years, minimum, of field-based experience, including managing large and complex multi-partner development programmes 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
Strong writing and presentation skills
Strong negotiation and organisation skills
English language proficiency (ability to read, write, analyse, 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