NIGERIA – AREA COORDINATOR (H/F) – NORTHWEST AREA

Desired start date: 29/12/2020**
Duration of the mission:** 6 months (renewal if funds available)
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

ABOUT THE MISSION

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL (SI) operates mainly in Northeast Nigeria (NEN) in the state of Borno, more precisely in the cities of Maiduguri, Monguno, Ngala and Dikwa.

The approach of SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL revolves around the response to the urgent needs in water, hygiene, sanitation, food security and shelter as well as the prevention and response to outbreaks.

Aside from the emergency response, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL develops early recovery projects notably to restore the livelihoods of the population. This flexibility of approach is a necessity considering the very unstable context characterized by important movements of population, both displacements and returns. The response implemented by the team to counter cholera outbreaks include the disinfection of households, chlorination of water points, and the distribution of “cholera kits”. In addition, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL ensures the coordination of the Cholera Task Force in the Borno State.

To ensure the basic needs of the populations in the most hard to reach areas, the teams adopted an integrated approach aiming at improving water, hygiene and sanitation, shelter and non-food items conditions. These interventions answer the most urgent needs, while promoting a longer-term impact by building/rehabilitating durable infrastructures. Furthermore, the drilling of boreholes or installation of generators or of solar equipment on infrastructures ensures the sustainability of the access to drinkable water.

In November 2020, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL led an exploratory mission in Northwest Nigeria in the city of Gusau, in the state of Zamfara. In December 2020, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL started launching its first flood related activities similar to ones also implemented in NEN. A small base was opened and a small team recruited in the city of Gusau.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL is looking for an Area Coordinator, overseeing its operations in Northwest Nigeria (NWN).

Holding the role of delegated Country Director in NWN, the Area Coordinator (AC) is directly responsible of all operational aspects of SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL in the NWN region and provides direction, development and leadership.

The AC is supported in his/her task by the various Nigeria’s Coordinators based in Maiduguri, NEN, and who have functional relationships with NWN’s field teams.

The main challenges:

The Nigeria’s mission is significant in terms of Human Resources and financial volumes. Nevertheless, SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL’s presence is new and its first activities have just been launched.

The security context is highly sensitive in NWN with the presence of active banditry, local community conflicts and activism of armed groups. Security is one of the main challenge and constraints for implementation.

The position will be based Abuja, with possible visits in the state of Sokoto and under certain conditions, flash visit in the city of Gusau. The AC will therefore have to remotely manage NWN base teams from Abuja while the rest of the mission’s coordination is based in Maiduguri, NEN. This is a particular position of AC as it is based in Abuja, away from NWN and the coordination. Still on remote, the AC will also be responsible for the opening of additional bases in NWN in coordination with the NEN offices.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

The main priorities will be:

• Ensure NWN security follow up, update and enforcement of security SOPs
• Follow up the opening of the NWN base(s), actively participate in the recruitment and build up capacities of the new base teams
• Ensure strategic objectives are followed, make sure programs are implemented in accordance with SI standards and Guidelines while activities are timely and qualitatively launched and/or implemented
• Coordinate with Emergency HQ team and the Nigeria coordination the design and writing of the new proposals
• Ensure liaison with the coordination team, donors as well as partners present at Abuja level.

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

This position makes it necessary to have a large degree of autonomy, a good strategic positioning and an extensive experience in access and security management.

Experience:

• Previous experience in team management (including expatriates in support and program functions) and strategic orientation
• Experience in security management in unstable environments
• Experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts, preferably with experience in supporting emergency response
• Experience in project design and writing for donors as well as in data analysis (quantitative and qualitative information from primary and secondary sources) and report writing

Soft skills:

• Outstanding communication skills, including on remote
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills and proven organization and methodical skills
• Strong interest in context and security analysis
• Strong commitment to humanitarian work and principles
• Ability to work under pressure, with peaks of heavy workload
• Adaptability to changing work environment and possible volatile security situation
• Capacity to provide leadership, build capacity and work as a unifying force
• Knowledge of SI’s rules, tools and procedures
• Strong stress management skills

Language: English is required

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:
A salaried position: according to NGO experience, starting from 3080 euros gross per month (including 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly per diem of 600 USD a month. Please note that salary is not negotiable with SI.

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with 850 USD allocated by SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL).

To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of one additional rest day per month worked, i.e. 12 days in addition for a one-year contract.

Social and medical cover:
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

The living conditions in Abuja are comfortable even if the recent tensions and the COVID situation could temporarily decreased the possibilities for social gathering. In Northwest Nigeria, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has no guest house, accommodation and office space is provided in a hotel.