Country Director at International NGO Safety Organisation

Organisation Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international charity that supports the safety of 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.

The Organisation has grown from innovative start-up to become a globally recognised charity and a valuable component of the humanitarian safety coordination system.

Today the Organisation provides daily support to more than 1000 beneficiary organisations (NGO) in fourteen of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for performance, principles & professionalism.

As of April 2019, INSO is registered as a charity in the Netherlands with its global headquarters now based in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.

INSO Niger

Since 2020, INSO has launched its platform in Niger in the context of escalating conflicts in the Tillabéry and Tahoua region on Central Sahel side, and in Diffa region in the Lake Chad Basin area. Starting from its coordination centre in Niamey, the project has now evolved to include two fully operational field offices, one in Tillabéry and one in Diffa. We expect to increase our presence in Tahoua in 2021. More than 70 national and international NGO partners in Niger access INSO services on daily basis. Our services are funded by a large donor base including USAID-BHA, DG ECHO, SDC, the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs and FCDO UK.

We are now seeking a qualified and experienced Country Director with fluency in French and English. The post is based in Niamey, with frequent travels to field locations and in the region.

Job Summary:

The INSO Director sets the overall strategic framework within which all other program elements occur and provides leadership, coordination, representation, supervision and management in relation to all staff and services. The Director will be an experienced and emotionally mature individual with advanced understanding of humanitarian operations at the leadership level. The Director will also be a confirmed analyst with experience in delivering written and oral analysis on impact of conflicts on humanitarian safety.

The Director will possess solid program and human resources management skills and will be a natural and confident communicator, consensus-builder and networker. Successful candidates will combine keen intellect and analytical skills with pragmatism, patience and a good sense of humour. They will enjoy the challenge of translating strategic concepts into workable practices in difficult environments. Ideal candidates will come from an NGO/humanitarian background (senior management and programs) and are not required to have military/police backgrounds.

This position is a particularly challenging and rewarding role with a high level of external representation and regional liaison with other INSO offices. You will have the opportunity to see the positive impact INSO products and services have on our partners while working with a dedicated regional and global team of humanitarians who love their jobs.

The main challenges during 2021 will consist in stabilising the quality of services as achieved by the initial development team, and to keep developing INSO’s networking and external coordination (including relations with the Government, active support to other coordination structures such as the CMCoord platforms, the Access group, OIREN GDCI, the donor group, etc). Coordination with INSO country offices in the region (Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso) and ensuring compliance with INSO policies and guidelines will also be an important part of this stabilisation phase.

Major Responsibilities:

* Responsible for the stabilisation phase of the project.

* Coordination of all staff and resources in Niger country office including; internal coordination of the country management team, grants management, host government regulatory registration, donor reporting and representation of INSO towards stakeholders.

* Programme management, including annual funding strategy, budget management, and contractual compliance. Direct grant and contract management responsibilities.

* Compliance with INSO’s global policy in operational and administrative areas.

* Quality control and direct contributions to the delivery of INSO services including; production of information and analysis (written biweekly and situational reports, expert use of INSO Conflict and Humanitarian Data Center – CHDC – incident database), high-level engagement and briefings, surveys, training and capacity building, and emergency support as needed.

* Coordination with INSO offices in Nigeria, Mali and Burkina for coherence of analysis and approach.

Mandatory Requirements:

* Previous experience as an NGO Country Director or equivalent management experience 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, FCDO, SDC, USAID-BHA, Luxembourg MFA). This includes PCM, budget management and monitoring, donor liaison and reporting.

* French fluency (written and spoken), English Fluency (written and spoken)

* Master’s Degree-level of education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field

* Proven analytical skills

* 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.

Preferred Characteristics:

* Minimum of one year of recent experience in the region (Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad)

* Direct experience and involvement in a crisis management role.

* Experience in a highly visible interagency role.

* Detailed understanding of INSO mandate and services.

* Previous INSO experience (as a team member, a member of INSO’s country advisory board or as a beneficiary).

Key Personal Competencies:

* A people manager with excellent interpersonal skills

* A confirmed conflict analyst

* Organised and diligent work ethic

* Effective communication and creative thinking

* Cultural and situational sensitivity

* Calm demeanour in stressful or crisis situations

* Flexibility to cover crisis situations during and outside working hours.

* Principled and consummate professional

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. As such, the following safe recruitment practices will be applied:

* All offers of employment will be conditional on receiving at least two satisfactory professional references;

* INSO will ask candidates about significant gaps in employment history or frequent changes of employer and address;

* All essential qualifications and relevant professional accreditations and memberships will be verified;

* The successful candidate will be required to provide a valid proof of identity (passport, ID card);

* All new hires will receive an orientation in INSO’s safeguarding policy and procedures and associated documents (Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing etc.);

* All new hires will be required to sign and abide by the Code of Conduct as a condition of employment.

Terms & Conditions: 12-month contract with anticipated start date in July, €5500 per month salary, 4 days annual leave per month, 7 days R&R every 3 months with a €1000 allowance for each R&R cycle, global medical coverage (excluding USA), $200,000 AD&D coverage and housing provided. While this position is unaccompanied, your partner may live with you in the CD accommodation provided by INSO.