Sub-Regional Director (Sahel) – Niger
INTERSOS is a non-governmental, non-profit humanitarian organization whose objective is to assist victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. INTERSOS bases its work on the values ​​of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people, respect for diversity, coexistence, and attention to the most vulnerable social groups.
Terms of reference:
Job title : Sub-Regional Director (Sahel)
Code : SR-54-10193
Country: Niger
Duty station : Bamako with numerous visits to intervention areas.
Date of appointment : 01/07/2026
Contract duration : 6 years (renewable)
Reporting to: Regional Director
Functional supervision:
Dependents: Regional Team, Head of Missions
Place of assignment: without family
General project context:
INTERSOS strengthens its operational presence in the central Sahel by creating a sub-regional structure dedicated to managing its interventions in the area.
This region faces one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises, marked by persistent conflicts, massive population displacements, and acute food insecurity. In this volatile context, INTERSOS intervenes in vital sectors: Protection, Health, Nutrition, and the Response to Basic Needs.
The challenge for the Sub-Region: The new sub-regional team will be tasked with pooling technical expertise, optimizing resource management, and ensuring harmonized strategic leadership. The objective is to guarantee safe humanitarian access and quality aid to the most vulnerable populations in the countries concerned.
General objective of the position:
The Sub-Regional Director is responsible for the overall coordination and performance of the sub-regional office, in accordance with departmental procedures and policies, INTERSOS’s Strategic Plan and Action Plans, and financial reporting requirements. This role is fulfilled with the support of the sub-regional team, whose members are functionally supervised by the respective Department Directors at Headquarters. The Sub-Regional Director is responsible for the overall performance of missions within their area of ​​responsibility, including program quality, financial sustainability, and the organization’s reputation. They bear ultimate responsibility for security throughout their geographic area. They represent INTERSOS in their area and, in coordination with the Sub-Regional Program Coordinator, are responsible for INTERSOS’s strategic planning and positioning. They ensure strategic planning, the implementation of identified strategies, and the achievement of mission objectives. Finally, he represents the organization to third parties within his assigned geographical area, in accordance with the directives conferred by the Programs Directorate.
The incumbent also serves as Head of Mission for Mali. In this capacity, they define the country strategy, supervise operations and resources (a team of 10 to 15 people), and ensure the mission’s compliance and security. They provide legal representation to the Malian authorities and manage relations with local donors.
Main responsibilities and tasks:
Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Ensure the timely development and relevance of Country Strategy Papers (CSPs). Ensure that they address current and anticipated humanitarian needs, are consistent with INTERSOS’ three-year strategic plan (ISP), and are feasible given available resources (using Forecast Portfolio and Cost Recovery tools).
- Develop a Sub-Regional Action Plan to support the deployment of the organization’s ISP and guide country offices in their operational implementation.
- Lead the sub-regional strategy in collaboration with the coordination team, continuously analyzing critical factors in the geopolitical and humanitarian context.
- To guide investment priorities in the area by managing the budgetary allocations of equity (unrestricted funds) granted annually by Headquarters.
- Define strategic directions and priority intervention areas (geographic and sectoral). Support missions, in conjunction with the Sub-Regional Programme Coordinator, in their planning and fundraising efforts.
- Supervise the validation process of project proposals at the Regional level, in coordination with the Finance and Program departments.
- To liaise with Regional Management for the approval of projects presenting high risks, in accordance with the organization’s risk analysis protocols.
Systems, Processes and Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure the full deployment of INTERSOS policies and processes at the sub-regional office and country office levels.
- Report to the Region the implementation challenges identified by the missions and propose structural improvements in collaboration with the sub-regional team.
- Oversee regulatory compliance (national legal frameworks, contractual obligations) in all country offices, with particular attention to tax and residency requirements (visas/permits), in conjunction with the HR department.
Performance, Quality and Financial Sustainability
- Manage organizational performance (KPIs) and ensure compliance with quality standards. Define immediate corrective measures in case of deviation from objectives.
- Ensure the economic viability of the area by validating robust cost recovery strategies (covering support costs) adapted to the portfolio of each mission.
- Make risk-oriented managerial decisions to minimize potential financial losses for the organization.
External Relations and Institutional Communication
- Establish and manage strategic relationships with donors and partners at the sub-regional level.
- Represent INTERSOS in high-level forums and advocate for the humanitarian needs of the area.
- Supporting Heads of Mission in managing their relationships with authorities, stakeholders and representatives of beneficiaries.
Internal Control and Risk Management (ERM)
- Ensure a reliable internal control system through regular audits and field visits (carried out personally or by the sub-regional team).
- Supervise the handling of cases of fraud or misconduct, in close coordination with HR, the internal auditor and technical experts.
- Monitor the evolution of country risks and implement the company’s risk management policies to identify, prevent and mitigate threats at the sub-regional level.
Duty of Care and Security
- Guarantee the absolute safety of staff by ensuring the strict application of safety protocols.
- Alerting the Region in real time about major security challenges and supporting missions in crisis management.
- Ensuring the well-being of staff (Duty of Care) and maintaining a safe working environment.
Human Resources Management
- Manage the recruitment of Heads of Mission (review of tests, interviews) in collaboration with the Regional Director and the recruitment department at Headquarters.
- Ensure the integration (induction) of new Heads of Mission and oversee their skills development.
- Unite and motivate the Heads of Mission and the sub-regional team through regular meetings and close managerial monitoring (performance evaluations, coaching).
Required profile:
- Master 2 (Bac+5) in International Affairs, Development, Economics, Political Science or any other relevant field related to humanitarian action.
- Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in complex humanitarian contexts, including at least 5 years in senior management positions (Head of Mission, Country Programme Director, or Deputy Regional Director).
- Substantial and successful experience in managing major security, political and health crises.
- Prior knowledge of INTERSOS culture and tools is a considerable asset.
- Proven ability to lead, supervise and evaluate Heads of Mission and regional coordinators spread across multiple countries.
- Expertise in defining country strategies, geopolitical analysis and long-term institutional positioning.
- Mastery of internal control mechanisms, financial auditing and the management of international legal and tax risks.
- Established network and expertise in negotiating with the regional offices of major donors (BHA, ECHO, UN Agencies, etc.).
- In-depth mastery of humanitarian security frameworks and personnel protection policies.
- Proficiency in the official working language of the countries in the sub-region is required (French).
- Proficiency in a second international language (English) is necessary to maintain communication with headquarters and international partners.
- Strong capacity for representation, influence and diplomacy with high-level authorities.
- Ability to make critical and ethical decisions under high pressure, balancing operational imperatives and safety.
- Ability to anticipate regional dynamics and adapt the portfolio of missions accordingly.
- Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and ability to unite multicultural teams around a common vision.
- Full adherence to humanitarian principles and guarantor of the application of the Code of Conduct within the sub-region.
General terms and conditions and benefits:
- Salary range: €15 – €4,776 – €5,493 monthly gross
- Hébergement : Shared Guesthouse
- R&R : N/A
- Annual leave:Â 2.5 days per month
- Medical insurance for staff
- Transportation and visa:Â return air tickets. For missions lasting at least 9 months, an additional ticket to the country of residence and back to the mission is also provided.
- Integration training:Â one week of online training before deployment.
How to apply
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are invited to apply by following the link below:
Please note that our application process consists of three very quick steps : register (including your name, email, password, and nationality), log in , and apply by attaching your CV in PDF format . Candidates can track their application history with INTERSOS through this platform.
Please also include the name, position, and contact details of at least three references : two line supervisors and one HR contact . Family members should be excluded.
Only candidates selected for the first interview will be contacted.