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Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corpsโ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery and resilient growth of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management. The Nigeria country program has grown considerably over the last few years, and is now among the largest Mercy Corps country programs globally, with a mixed donor & programming portfolio.
General Position Summary
As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director of Humanitarian and Sustainable Solutions, will provide leadership and strategic direction to Mercy Corps Nigeriaโs humanitarian and sustainable solutions initiatives. S/he will strengthen and guide a cohesive portfolio that capitalizes on Mercy Corpsโ signature approach for building resilience in complex crises, spearheading efforts to build reinforcing technical strategies and improved systems for joint context analysis and adaptive implementation across humanitarian and recovery-focused programming, and proactively link to other development-focused initiatives. The role elevates and connects strategic approaches for strengthening market systems in crisis and ensuring integration of conflict prevention/mitigation and gender and social inclusion across the portfolio in Northern Nigeria. The role will champion the use of crisis analytics to generate and apply continued and ongoing insights of the operational context that looks at the security and evolving context alongside other key risk factors such as climate events, political or economic disruptions, or disease outbreaks that exacerbate fragility.
The Director of Humanitarian and Sustainable Solutions will be a strong communicator, solution holder and proven negotiator able to appropriately manage and enhance essential relationships with key external stakeholders, including donors and host Government representatives.
Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGY AND VISION:
Supervisory Responsibility
Program Directors (BEGE, THRIVE, NE CORE programs), Crisis Analytics Senior Advisor
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of Programs
Works Directly With: Director of Programs; Program Managers; Operations, Finance, PAQ teams.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills MA/S or equivalent in international development or related field preferred. 8+ years of experience in Comprehensive understanding of humanitarian donor ways of working and funding mechanisms required. Previous experience in writing humanitarian response proposals and rapidly designing emergency response programs Demonstrated success in programs related to emergency response required Thorough understanding of the context and current environment in Nigeria preferred Proven managerial skills required Demonstrated ability to function as a solution-seeker and proven success with building, managing and leading a team of professionals and the ability to function as a team player among peers. Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary. History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments. Prior work experience in Africa strongly preferred; an ability to work comfortably, effectively and creatively within the cultural environment of Nigeria and areas of poor security required. Fluency in English written and oral communication required.Success Factors
A successful Director for Humanitarian and Sustainable Solutions (HSSD) will be a self-starter, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. S/he will be a team player with a positive attitude to problem solving and conflict resolution. The successful candidate will be focused on teambuilding and capacity building of staff, and will be able to apply creative solutions to program quality. S/he will also have the skill to engage, motivate and encourage staff to bring creative solutions to development issues, identify opportunities for increased impact, and pursue project objectives.
Living /Environmental Conditions
The position will be based in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state with regular travel to program locations including deep field sites. The location is generally secure. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are domestic travel options from Maiduguri Airport. Air travel is necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phones services are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices with some inconsistencies in the most remote sites. This position requires 40% travel by road and air to field offices that are located in highly insecure locations.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on short-term assignments. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corpsโ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.