Country Representative Nigeria

ABOUT BSF

Founded in 2007 by the French historian Patrick Weil, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) is an NGO that empowers vulnerable populations by sharing culture, education and information. It implements inclusive and innovative projects in 30+ countries, enabling people affected by crises and precarity to educate themselves, dream and (re)build their lives. Thanks to its innovative tools, library of contents and expertise in mediation, BSF and its partners tackle the major challenges of the 21st century such as education, culture, citizenship, community building, health, employment or entrepreneurship.

At BSF, decisions are only based on the applicant’s skills and qualities regarding its needs of recruitment within a respectful and inclusive process. BSF hires and employs individuals regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic background, or disability.

COUNTRY RESPONSE PROGRAM

As part of its development strategy called Horizon 2030, BSF is building a regional response in West Africa. A regional office in Dakar, Senegal, has been inaugurated in 2022 and BSF operations in the region are growing. BSF is currently implementing projects in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso and is launching its operations in Nigeria.

A first ambitious program aiming at fighting sexual violence in conflict in Nigeria is being launched with the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Centre de Crise”.

BSF is now looking for a dynamic Country Representative based in Abuja to accompany and support the development and structuration of the organization in country and to oversee with his/her team the implementation of ongoing and new programs.

POSITION WITHIN THE ORGANISATION

The Country Representative is a member of the International Operations Department and reports to the Africa Manager based at headquarters.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

The Country Representative oversees all aspects pertaining to the operations management and development in country.

1. Context and stakeholders’ analysis and prospecting

• Analyze the context, issues, and needs in relation to BSF’s mandate and global strategy; analyze the humanitarian response and public educational and social policies in the region and map the actors involved;
• Prioritize contacts with stakeholders: public authorities, companies, foundations, and potential donors for BSF, and respond to incoming requests.

2. Represent BSF in Country

• Is BSF’s legal representative in Country with relevant administrative implications
• Coordinate with local and national authorities to secure humanitarian access and build acceptance
• Represent BSF in relevant coordination spaces and clusters with local authorities, other NGOs and relevant actors
• Contribute actively to BSF’s reach in Country with regards to local and international actors

3. Design of the development strategy, fundraising and partnership follow-up

• Develop and/or validate thematic, geographic, and partnership intervention strategies consistent with the organization’s mandate, vision, and financial capacities, in consultation with the Operations Department and General Management;
• Build relationships with potential financial and operational partners to strengthen existing relations and further develop BSF’s strategy and programs for scale-up and future funding;
• Identify and analyze funding opportunities;
• Oversee or develop the response to calls for proposals from donors with the support of the program teams;
• Develop BSF’s network in Country, building links with organizations and institutions and bringing together prominent personalities, friends and supporters of the NGO.

4. Operations management

• Guarantee the quality of operations in the country of intervention;
• Ensure sound budgetary management of projects implemented;
• Ensure budget planning and monitoring of the budget;
• Ensure the feedback and dissemination of information on operations to headquarters and vice versa from headquarters to the field;
• Participate in cross-functional projects led by the Operations Department, aiming to reinforce and model the expected quality standards according to the needs identified.
• Validate reports from financial partners;
• Inform desk at HQ through regular updates and request approvals from HQ whenever necessary;
• Actively contribute to the strengthening of procedures/processes both for programs and in conjunction with other departments (logistics, finance, etc.) in order to comply with donor requirements and ensure compliance with this regulatory and contractual framework in operations;
• Support the updating of compliance and accountability procedures and ensure that these procedures are respected;
• Ensure compliance with local regulations including regular reports to authorities, compliance with tax and labor laws as well as any other regulations applying to NGOs.
• Carry out diagnostic and monitoring missions in the country, as needed.

5. Structuring the BSF Country office

• Ensure, with the support of HQ, the development and implementation of internal procedures and the optimal functioning of the office in the country: set up the HR, administrative, security, logistical and financial procedures of the mission.

6. Security management

• Oversee risk analysis and monitoring of the security environment;
• Oversee the development, review and implementation of mission security plans in coordination with the regional Director, the Director of Logistics & Security and the Deputy Director of International Operations;
• Is responsible for the implementation of the Security Plan & Measures in Country;
• Participate in the crisis management team in the event of a security incident;
• Brief new staff on security context of the country and the mission.

7. Management

• Manage in country staff (at the moment 1 senior Project Manager, 1 Administrative and Financial officer under his/her direct supervision + a technical team under the Project Manager supervision)
• Recruit, onboard, train and supervise new staff;
• Ensure the respect of local labor laws and support the elaboration of HR policies for national staff (including but not limited to salary scale and contract templates).

QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience:

• You have a higher education degree and significant professional experience in an international position involving high-level representation to international networks, institutional donors and private funders. You have a good understanding of the humanitarian environment, and of international cooperation.
• Endowed with great leadership, you have a proven ability to raise funds, drive change, and build support around innovative projects. Recognized for your skills in organizational, transformation and internal structuring, you have experience in mobilizing human, financial, logistical and technical resources.
• Agile and with a great workload capacity, you master English at a professional level as well as the office pack and digital tools. Your relational, communication and writing skills are recognized, as well as your team spirit and good humor. You have a great sense of responsibility, are reliable and rigorous with an ability to organize and manage stress and priorities.

Specific Skills and Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and synthesis skills
• In-depth knowledge of public institutions, the private sector and institutional donors and their financing mechanisms
• Mastery of the project cycle
• Administrative and financial management/monitoring of projects and contract management
• Ability to work in sensitive and complex political and security contexts and in a multicultural environment
• Excellent listening, negotiation and communication skills
• Respect for BSF’s values and principles
• Mobility in the field is essential
• Professional proficiency in English, French is an asset

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS

• Type of contract: Expatriate fixed-term contract (“Contrat à Durée Déterminée d’Usage” – CDDU)
• Duration of the contract: 9 months
• Starting date : asap
• Remuneration: According to BSF expatriate salary scale and experience
• Benefits of expatriate contract:
  • Allowance for living expenses
  • Housing allowance
  • Social protection system adapted to expatriation (CFE, health and provident insurance in addition to CFE/1er euro, providence, repatriation assistance and civil liability)
• Workplace: based in Abuja with movements in other States of Nigeria (in particular Borno State)
• Other informations: This is an unaccompanied position