Country Director at WaterAid Nigeria

WaterAid is an international organisation whose mission is to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Through their partners, they have reached 2 million people with safe water and 3 million people with sanitation last year.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Director

Location: Nigeria

Background

• It’s hard to believe that today 844 million people do not have clean water and 2.3 billion do not have a decent toilet - around one in three of the world’s population. Every two minutes a child under five dies from diarrheal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation.
• Over the past 22 years, WaterAid have seen their work thrive in a very dynamic context. Over the years they have raised WaterAid’s profile in Nigeria, building strong relationships with stakeholders and gaining strong experience in working on the ground with community and state actors to increase access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
• This is an exciting time for Nigeria. Momentum is growing around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including access to WASH, and policy reforms pointing to an increase in political will.
• Though Nigeria has numerous opportunities for sustained and equitable development, numerous challenges remain to be addressed, including insecurity; the humanitarian burden; a high rate of open defecation and low access to basic sanitation.

About the Role

• Success will involve creating state and national influencing platforms that draw on state and country evidence to shape policy and practice at national, continental, and global levels, as well as increasing access to quality water, sanitation and hygiene services for poor communities. By increasing their understanding of power and influence, WaterAid’s aim is to strengthen the political will in the sector and catalyse change in Nigeria; a country that influences the African continent and the World. In 2016 WaterAid developed a new country strategy with focus on: Achieving a progressive reduction of blockages in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) Sector.
• Empowering citizens to demand and claim their rights to equitable WASH services and development; and
• Strengthening partnerships to influence the WASH sector, ensuring access to sustained high quality WASH services for all.

Job Description

• WaterAid Nigeria is looking for a Country Director who will provide strategic direction and guidance to the country programme team; inspiring,leading and driving staff and partners in Nigeria to enable WaterAid to achieve maximum impact through its mission.
• We’re looking for people who share a commitment to our vision. We’re looking for people with an appreciation and respect for different people and ideas, and the energy and expertise to help tackle the most important challenges.
• In return, you can expect to get inspiration from the change you help make happen, a sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of a global community.
• You will also experience stimulation and fulfilment, the chance to grow, and space to be yourself at your best. This is our pledge to you.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Your role will be crucial in enabling WaterAid achieve its ambition in Nigeria.
• You have the ability to increase WaterAid’s impact in the country and more widely.
• You understand the complex and highly varied contexts of the Nigerian Federation, as well as having a broader understanding of the regional and global policy environment.
• The funding landscape is changing and your leadership and team management skills will be integral in enabling the Nigeria team to implement the Country Programme Strategy with a good portfolio of restricted funding. 　
• You know how to influence stakeholders and decision makers, with the desire to make things happen and deliver results.
• You are change manager who can refocus priorities and reshape the organisation’s approach.
• This will require good cross-functional knowledge along with the ability to challenge and improve financial and organisational processes.
• You are an empowering leader, able to motivate the team to deliver excellence and influence change in the country.

Skills & Experience
We expect you to demonstrate that you are:

• A networker: able to create, maintain and expand relationships; influencing stakeholders and decision-makers and state and national level.
• A leader: able to inspire action in the team, getting things moving and delivering results - as well as building internal capacity.
• A change manager: able to refocus priorities and make changes to teams, operations and strategies to increase WaterAid’s impact in Nigeria.
• Financially-competent: able to raise funds and being accountable for good governance and positive results.
• Resilient: able to work in a challenging environment, fostering a positive and dynamic culture.

Salary
Excellent pay with benefits.

Application Closing Date
24th August, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications which must be addressed to "Mission Talent" via: [email protected] Stating WA-CD-NG/+your surname in the subject line.　

Note

• Send your CV (in English) and a motivation letter (of 350 words or less) which summarizes how your experience and profile align with the essential requirements for this role. Please send your documents in .docx or .rtf format　
• After submitting your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation. If you do not (check your spam folder as well) then please contact Mission Talent via: [email protected] or via phone: +49 30 76 77 52 75.
• WaterAid is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
• We particularly encourage applications from women who are underrepresented at this level in the organisation.