Country Director - Lake Chad Basin at the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO)

International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) - Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is a British charity that supports the safety of aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Director - Lake Chad Basin

Location: Abuja

Organisation Background
INSO services help NGOs with their day-to-day risk management responsibilities and improve their overall situational awareness to support evidence-based humanitarian access decisions.

The Organisation has grown from innovative start-up to become a globally recognised charity and a valuable component of the humanitarian safety coordination system. Today the Organisation provides daily support to more than 930 beneficiary organisations (NGO) in twelve of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for performance, principles & professionalism.

INSO Lake Chad Basin
Since opening the platform in Nigeria in 2016, INSO has developed a strong regional approach to the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) crisis, supporting more than 180 NGOs from the LCB coordination office in Abuja, Nigeria with field offices in Maidugiri, Nigeria, and Maroua, Cameroon. Abuja is also the base for INSO’s flagship training team.

We are currently seeking an experienced humanitarian professional to lead our team as Director- Lake Chad Basin, based in Abuja with frequent travel in north-east Nigeria and Cameroon and occasional travel to Niger and Chad. While the Nigeria program is stable and well-resourced, the Cameroon operation is in its initial phase and will require support from the CD during 2020.

Job Summary

• The INSO Director sets the overall strategic framework within which all other program elements occur and provides leadership, coordination, representation, supervision and management in relation to all staff and services
• The Director will be an experienced and emotionally mature individual with advanced understanding of humanitarian operations at the leadership level
• The Director will possess solid program and human resources management skills and will be a natural and confident communicator, consensus-builder and networker
• Successful candidates will combine keen intellect and analytical skills with pragmatism, patience and a good sense of humour
• They will enjoy the challenge of translating strategic concepts into workable practices in difficult environments
• Ideal candidates will come from an NGO/humanitarian background (senior management and programs) and are not required to have military/police backgrounds.
• The main challenges during 2020 will consist of maintaining the quality of leadership and services in Nigeria while directing the Cameroon office with a particular focus on structuring smooth internal coordination and processes between the two countries.
• This position is an exciting, challenging and rewarding role with a high level of external representation. You will have the opportunity to see the positive impact INSO products and services have on our partners while working with a dedicated team of humanitarians who love their jobs.

Major Responsibilities

• Coordination of all staff and resources in Nigeria and Cameroon country offices including; internal coordination, grants management, host government regulatory registration, donor reporting and representation of INSO towards stakeholders.
• Provide quality control and direct contributions to the delivery of INSO services including; production of information and analysis (written biweekly and n situational reports, etc.), high-level engagement and briefings, surveys, training and capacity building, and emergency support as needed.
• Programme management, including annual funding strategy, budget management, and contractual compliance. Direct grant and contract management responsibilities.
• Compliance with INSO’s global policy in operational and administrative areas.

Mandatory Requirements

• Previous experience as an NGO Country Director or equivalent management experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts (at least 3-5 years).
• Experience with management of multi-donor projects. Knowledge of donor policies and procedures (DG ECHO, DFID, SDC, USAID-OFDA). This includes PCM, budget management and monitoring, donor liaison and reporting.
• English fluency (written and spoken) with good French working knowledge
• Master's Degree-level of education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field

Proven Analytical Skills:

• Solid understanding of principles and practices in broad humanitarian action, NGO safety and risk management, humanitarian access, and civil-military coordination.
• Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills.

Preferred Characteristics:

• Minimum of one year of recent experience in the Lake Chad Basin area (Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad)
• Direct experience and involvement in a crisis management role.
• Experience in a highly visible interagency role.
• Detailed understanding of INSO mandate and services.
• Previous INSO experience (as a team member, a member of INSO’s country advisory board or as a beneficiary).

Key Personal Competencies:

• A people manager with excellent interpersonal skills
• Organised and diligent work ethic
• Effective communication and creative thinking
• Cultural and situational sensitivity
• Calm demeanour in stressful or crisis situations
• Flexibility to cover crisis situations during and outside working hours.
• Principled and consummate professional

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy
INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process. As such, the following safe recruitment practices will be applied:

• All offers of employment will be conditional on receiving at least two satisfactory professional references;
• INSO will ask candidates about significant gaps in employment history or frequent changes of employer and address;
• All essential qualifications and relevant professional accreditations and memberships will be verified;
• The successful candidate will be required to provide a valid proof of identity (passport, ID card);
• All new hires will receive an orientation in INSO’s safeguarding policy and procedures and associated documents (Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing etc.);
• All new hires will be required to sign and abide by the Code of Conduct as a condition of employment.

Terms & Conditions

• 12-month contract with expected start date on 2nd January 2020 (earlier start in December possible), €5,500 per month salary, 4 days annual leave per month, 3 days R&R every 3 months with a €750 allowance for each R&R cycle, global medical coverage, $200,000 AD&D coverage and a 1 bedroom apartment on a safe compound with a pool provided. While this position is unaccompanied, your partner may live with you in INSO accommodation.

Application Closing Date
31st October, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send the following below to: [email protected] and ensure to reference 'LCB Director' in the subject line of your email.

Your Application should include the following:

• Cover Letter specifying how you meet the mandatory requirements, preferred characteristics, your motivation for applying and what you hope to bring to INSO (2 page maximum).
• Updated CV (5 page maximum).
• One relevant and substantive writing sample in English, which demonstrates your analytical and reporting abilities (10 page maximum, but may be less).

Note

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• Please do not send any additional information (such as copies of certificates, copies of diplomas, other writing samples, etc.) and keep the total size of your application under 2MB if possible.