Oxfam Jobs: Country Director- Nigeria

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Job Details
Country Director- Nigeria


Ref INT3317
Region West Africa
Location Abuja
Division International
Department Regional Programme & Operations
Position Type Open Ended
Job Family Programme
Closing date for applications
(23:59 GMT) 9 August 2009

Job Profile

Country Director: Nigeria

Salary: £25064- £34272 net per annum
Closing date for applicatons: 9 August 2009
Interviews: Week commencing 24 August 2009
Open ended contract

Background

Nigeria is rich in oil, gas, and other natural resources, but remains among countries in world with the lowest socio-economic indicators related to poverty, industrialisation and access to basic health, education, water, and other essential services. And despite the recent transition from over 20 years of military rule, including presidential elections in 1999, 2003, and 2007, the country faces tremendous challenges to sustained responsive, transparent and accountable governance.
Oxfam's first period of operation in Nigeria began in 1965 and was based in Lagos. During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70) Oxfam provided humanitarian assistance to both sides in the conflict. In 1974, Oxfam closed its programme in Nigeria as the war ended and increased resources for development became available from large-scale exploitation of oil reserves in the Niger Delta Region.
In late 2001, Oxfam re-established its programme in Nigeria to support efforts to address the rising incidence of poverty and to respond to the increasing importance of Nigeria's political, economic and social contributions to the development of West Africa and the continent. In more than six years under the new programme, Oxfam has been a key partner in bringing people and organisations together to engage governments and institutions in promoting good governance and programmes that address the needs of the poor, particularly women and those engaged in rural agriculture.
Between 2001 and 2006, programming was focused in four areas: agricultural livelihoods, including increased productivity and access to markets; fair trade at both the commodities level and in international agreements with multilaterals such as the European Union, World Trade Organisation; and revenue transparency in the oil extractive industry at national level and with state and local governments in the Niger Delta.
Over the past few years, the country has experienced a growing sense of urgency to realise its potential to meet the basic needs of its people and also be a leading country on pro-poor global change. In an effort to align its key areas for intervention and support with the country's priorities, Oxfam has developed a five-year National Change Strategy (2008-2013) that will support civil society-government engagement at different levels of government. The strategy also reflects Nigeria's growing position as an emerging power whose actions have impact beyond its borders, on the lives of poor people in West Africa and the broader continent.


Dimensions

Scale of responsibilities programme
Overall management of programme and staff (50+)
Direct line management of Country Management Team
Partner relations (local partners and donors)
Purchasing authority
Medium programme budget - restricted and unrestricted
Financial and Asset management
Programme Funding and institutional donor relationship management
Part of Regional Management Team
Scope and complexity of programme
Programme development direction work that could be new to Oxfam
Change in programme focus
Broad range of programme components - humanitarian response, development and advocacy
Work closely with Oxfam International colleagues inside and outside Nigeria, particularly at national and regional level, to ensure coherence between programme, policy and other advocacy work at national, regional and international levels, and to ensure that global programmes and campaigns are informed by Nigeria's experience
Development, management and implementation of long-term programmes, advocacy and campaign strategies, delivering on Oxfam's mission to achieve changes in policy and practice, and contributing to regional and global campaigns and programmes
Representing Oxfam, managing and influencing significant external relationships, including with partners, allies, lobby targets and media contacts
Achievement of goals through influencing external and internal policies and agendas, using sound political judgment, sensitivity, and strong influencing and negotiating skills
Forward-looking development of work plans and effective management of people, projects, budgets and partnership agreements
Significant management of external consultants and services, and of internal financial/human resources
Management of complex internal relationships, including with Oxfam programme staff, regional and global programme and advocacy staff, and advocacy;and programme colleagues within other Oxfam affiliates and Oxfam International
Making strategic and informed decisions, based on technical expertise, consultation with colleagues and allies, political analysis and strong problem-solving skills
Significant representation of Oxfam to the media and other external audiences, requiring an understanding of how to manage our reputation. Decisions made could have a major impact on public image.
Development of Oxfam's strategy
Degree of risk/ impact
Likelihood of humanitarian crisis and impact on other programmes
Significant impact of programme direction on the region and on Oxfam GB
Managing humanitarian, long term development and advocacy programmes in a complex environment

Key Responsibilities

Delivery and implementation:
Programme design and planning to implement Nigeria Programme Implementation Plans
Deliver demonstrable impact through direct programme action and advocacy action based on programme experience and outcomes in order to bring about policy and practice changes relating to Oxfam GB's aims
Working with partners, allies and OI colleagues, develop well-focused campaign and media strategies to achieve National change strategy objectives, to be rooted in long-term partnerships with Nigerian civil society organisations and institutions.
Maintain ongoing knowledge, understanding and analysis of relevant government and donor policy and practice and civil society campaign initiatives in Nigeria, in order to inform Oxfam and partner advocacy work.
Maintain regular communication with local and international civil society allies to share information and collaborate over identifying opportunities, developing strategies and implementing programmes and campaigns
Proactively ensure that gender equity and diversity issues are taken into account in all aspects of Oxfam's work
To lead on the development of Oxfam's advocacy strategy and its links with regional and global campaigns
Proactively ensure that Country staff and Regional funding team are working collaboratively to develop and maintain relationships with potential donors to the Oxfam National Change Strategy, including effective participation in contract devolution activities, building of skills for donor contract management, developing and writing of fundraising proposals

Manage Oxfam GB's risk:
Ensure that budgets are drawn up for all activities, and that costs are kept within budgets, providing a monthly financial summary to the Regional Management Centre and quarterly analysis of trends
Recommend and approve Oxfam grants within strategic priorities
Provide regular, consistently high quality reports on programme and projects, ensuring that proper monitoring are included in all work
Manage Oxfam staff effectively, including performance management, delegating authority where appropriate and ensuring that staff are given opportunities for development and training
Manage and monitor administration and logistics systems
Ensure effective staff security procedures and draw up special security guidelines in the event of serious security risk
Actively implement Oxfam GB's diversity policy in the recruitment and employment of staff
Maintain contact with authorities and other agencies and ensure that Oxfam complies with relevant legislation and that its activity is understood and publicised
Communicating Oxfam's work and contributing to the regional programme:
Represent and develop good relationships with Oxfam International, donors, official authorities, international institutions and other agencies, proactively;ensuring that Oxfam develops and maintains a positive profile including on going access to relevant information
Maintain regular communication with local and international civil society allies to share information and collaborate over identifying opportunities, developing strategies and implementing campaigns
Identify and conduct impact assessment initiatives and ensure effective communications about programme impact with stakeholders within and outside Oxfam
Actively participate in regional programme initiatives and staying informed of relevant programme issues in the Region and to contribute to wider programme learning

Skills and Competence

Essential
Normally a minimum of 4 years proven experience of programme development and advocacy work including some experience of humanitarian work. This should include a mature understanding of relevant issues derived from field experience, preferably both in campaigns and development
A minimum of five years' proven experience of programme or complex management including managing budgets, staff and funding of the programme. This is to include excellent people management skills, with a good understanding of team development and proven financial management skills
Strong campaigning experience demonstrated by examples of impact on significant policy change, and an understanding of how to use policy analysis, research, lobbying, public campaigning, media, communications and alliance-building to influence a political agenda
An understanding of the functioning and relationships of key players in development, including Southern governments, donor governments, and international institutions.
Substantial knowledge or appreciation of Nigeria in the sub region in terms of its political, economic and social trends plus an understanding of the key development, policy and humanitarian issues in the region
Significant experience in fostering productive partnerships from local to national levels
Proven ability to work creatively, innovatively and effectively with limited direct supervision
Proven experience as a team worker and demonstrably co-operative with members of other teams
Enthusiasm for and commitment to Oxfam International's values and mission.
Experience of developing fundraising proposals.
Thinking and understanding
Good understanding of community development issues, with experience of working directly with local NGOs or communities in one or more of the following issues: income generation / health / disability / gender and of how this may link to Oxfam's objectives within the programme and in the region, as well as in the use of impact assessment to inform programme development choices
Analytical skills and ability to think strategically, including the ability to think beyond the country programme context and to act within a regional framework
Knowledge and experience of working with African or Nigerian national or regional campaign networks working on gender, essential services, development financing, agriculture or trade policy.

Working effectively with others
A high level of interpersonal and communications skills.
Fluency in spoken and written English and working language
Advocacy and programme development skills
Leading Others

Proven evidence of leadership skills including challenging, motivating and developing a team through periods of change
Ability to work with others to develop vision into strategy and communicating and influencing this to a wider audience

Desirable

Masters degree in a relevant discipline (preferably, development, economics, politics, sociology, humanities)

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