General Coordinator (Head of Mission) at Medecins du Monde (MdM)

Medecins du Monde (MdM) is an international humanitarian organization whose mission is to provide medical care for the most vulnerable populations, the world over, including France. It seeks to stimulate voluntary commitment from doctors, other health care providers, and from those whose expertise in other fields is needed for its activities, to enlist all competent support required for the achievement of its projects, and to seek at all times to encourage close working relationships with populations in its care. MdM operating in Nigeria, Borno state since October 2016.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: General Coordinator (Head of Mission)

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Starting Date: As Soon As Possible
Employment Type: Fixed-term Contract
Duration: 9 months

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the desk manager, you are responsible for the overall management of the Nigeria mission. In particular, you ensure that programmes meet operational, administrative, financial, human, material and organisational objectives by coordinating and leading a team of approximately 200 people.
• You lead the implementation of the projects in Maiduguri and Damboa areas, while supervising security and safety as well as ensuring the deployment of frameworks, policies and procedures. You also develop and lead advocacy work and partnerships.
• The General coordinator supervises 3 bases within the country (Maiduguri coordination office, Maiduguri base and Damboa base) as well as one small base in Abuja that serves to support operations.

Responsibilities
Your main responsibilities are the following:

Mission management:

• Ensure the development and the execution of the country strategy
• Ensure synergies between programme and support departments.
• Take the lead in defining the operational and advocacy strategy together with the coordination team and the desk manager.
• Provide guidance and support to the different departments
• Ensure good collaboration with partners
• Ensure adequate means are available for the smooth running of programmes
• Ensure the respect of internal rules and regulations as well as the compliance with the objectives, rules and procedures of donors
• Contribute to the budget development, monitor and control spending and budget revision.

Security:

• Ensure a national security plan, regularly updated and well implemented in the field
• Define and implement safety rules up to date and guarantee their application
• Ensure the overall management of any security-related incident
• Identify and change, when needed, the security phase of the mission with support from the mission management team and HQ
• Monitor and analyse the security situation in collaboration with the security liaison officer
• Anticipate security developments and regularly update the security guidelines
• Ensure reporting to the desk manager and the rest of the team on any security incident or development.
• Ensure all staff is briefed on security and adheres to security rules and procedures
• Build the capacities of the security liaison officer and the logistics coordinator in managing the safety of the team.

Representation:

• Ensure regular interaction, information sharing and collaboration with other humanitarian actors in Nigeria.
• Represent MdM and develop and maintain good relationships with the authorities and stakeholders.
• Undertake proactive donor prospection, establish and develop regular contact with funding partners.

Programme design and coordination:

• Monitor the humanitarian situation and define the operational strategy in the country in collaboration with the coordination team
• Propose and discuss new actions with the team and the desk manager when needed (needs assessments, reorientation of activities, implementation of new activities)
• Analyse the overall context, develop a network of contacts inside and outside Nigeria in line with the humanitarian situation
• Supervise the preparation of proposals, reports and other documents requested by donors
• Lead the coordination meetings, share their minutes and any action plans
• Ensure good information flow and maintain proper communication between the different departments.

Team management:

• Define the general organisation of the mission and propose changes when needed
• Ensure briefings for new arrivals.
• Support the coordination team in the daily management of the mission
• Make sure performance appraisals, action plans and capacity building plans are regularly conducted for the staff.
• Conduct performance appraisals and action plans and ensure capacity building strategy for the team under your direct supervision
• Participate in the revision of job descriptions and the recruitment processes for the team under your direct supervision.

Communication:

• Ensure the level of visibility and public messages on programmes are in line with MdM strategy
• Be the spokesperson for MdM in Nigeria with local and international media, in coordination with HQ.
• Report regularly and share information with the desk manager through monthly reports.

Profile

• Higher Education in Project Management or general field of study (five years post-secondary education).
• Minimum of three year experience in a similar position with an international NGO working in emergency contexts, preferably within the health sector, or previous field experience with MdM in different contexts.
• Experience in supervision and management of a large expatriate and national team
• Substantial experience in safety and security management in volatile contexts
• Previous experience in Nigeria is an asset.
• Strong leadership skills and supportive management style
• Diplomacy, negotiation and networking skills.
• Proficient use of Pack Office 365.
• Languages: fluent English (written and spoken) mandatory. Hausa or French is an asset.
• You embrace the core values and support the proactive philosophy of Médecins du Monde.

Conditions of Employment

• Gross monthly salary: 3425 euros
• Premium equal to one month salary paid in two instalments – minimum of 6 months seniority required.
• Expatriation bonus (10% gross salary per month)
• Transportation cost, vaccines and visas covered
• Guesthouse housing
• 22.5 RTT (recovery days) per year
• 5 weeks of paid leaves per year
• Health insurance (60% covered by MdM and 40% by the employee)
• Insurance (repatriation)
• Teleworking agreement for positions eligible to telework: 110 days/year (minimum of 1 day per week onsite).
• Given the current circumstances of Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking special measures to apply health protocols and hygiene measures to guarantee the safety of our staff.
• Médecins du Monde promotes trainings and internal mobility.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online