Country Director – Nigeria

Organisation Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international non-governmental organisation that supports humanitarian 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.

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.

INSO provides daily support to more than 1200 NGOs operating in 21 of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for its performance, principles and professionalism.

INSO is registered in the Netherlands with its headquarters based in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.

INSO Nigeria

The Nigeria programme supports more than 120 NGOs to deliver vitally needed aid and assistance. First launched as an emergency response operation in 2016, INSO Nigeria has grown to propose geographical coverage of two main areas: the Northeast, which provides a regional overview of the Lake Chad Basin, and since April 2024 INSO is also covering the Northwest Nigeria with sub-offices established in Sokoto and Katsina.

We are currently seeking an experienced humanitarian professional to lead our team as Country Director.

Job Summary

As the Country Director, you lead the overall country program strategy and provide coordination and representation among the NGO partners as well as supervise and manage staff. The role requires advanced understanding of humanitarian operations as well as strong analytical skills. You will come from a humanitarian background, possess solid management skills and will be a natural and confident communicator, consensus-builder and networker. You will combine keen intellect and analytical skills with pragmatism, patience and a good sense of humour and will enjoy the challenge of translating strategic concepts into workable practices in difficult environments. You need to have an NGO senior management and programs background, strong management experience and excellent writing & analysis skills.  This position is based in Abuja, Nigeria and reports to the Regional Director Central Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme leadership and management
  • Lead all aspect of program management, including annual funding strategy, budget management, grants management and contractual compliance.
  • Responsible for the safety and security of the staff, program and assets.
• Service delivery
  • Provide quality control and direct contributions to the delivery of INSO services and ensure that program targets and objectives are met.
  • Deliver strategic analysis to senior humanitarian leadership, including through monthly directors’ briefings and quarterly analytical reports.
  • Lead crisis management support to NGO partners or the NGO community at large during critical incident.
• Representation and synergies
  • Effectively represent and protect INSO’s principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality; promote INSO as an integral member of the humanitarian community.
  • Promote more informed and effective decision making on issues affecting humanitarian access and safety.
  • Maintain donor engagement and actively track country-specific funding opportunities.
  • Engage with third parties, including local government, the UN, diplomatic missions, and military forces.

Mandatory Requirements

Essential

• Previous experience as NGO Country Director or equivalent management experience, ideally 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, SDC, USAID-BHA, FCDO).
• Proven analytical skills; extensive writing and editing skills.
• Fluency in English language, both written and verbal.
• Master’s Degree-level of education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field
• Ability to handle competing deadlines and balance daily management priorities.
• 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.

 Nice to Have

• Recent experience or sound knowledge of Nigeria or neighbouring countries.
• Experience in staff capacity development and training.
• Experience in a high-profile inter-agency role.
• Detailed understanding of INSO mandate and services.
• Previous INSO experience (as a team member, member of INSO’s country advisory board or as a beneficiary).

Key Personal Competencies

• A good listener
• An effective communicator and creative thinker
• Excellent analyst
• Team player
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• A people manager
• Flexibility to cover crisis situation during and outside working hours.

Terms & Conditions

This is an international position. 12-month contract (renewable), €6,500 per month salary, 4 calendar days annual leave per month and 7 days of R&R every 3 months with a €1,250 allowance per R&R cycle, global medical coverage (excluding USA) and AD&D coverage.

 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.

 How to apply

Please submit applications to jobs@hq.ngosafety.org with the reference “CD Nigeria” in the subject line of the email. Applications should be in English (or French) and include:

• An updated CV (maximum 3 pages).
• A one-page cover letter detailing why you are interested in working for INSO and how your qualifications align specifically with the competencies required for the role.
• One relevant and substantive writing sample in English that demonstrates your analytical and report writing skills (10 pages max).

Please do not send any additional information. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.