Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. 

Summary of SFCG Nigeria
SFCG has worked in Nigeria since 2003, firstly producing a TV series targeting youth and social cohesion, and since 2010 growing our on the ground conflict transformation work. The program currently runs about eight projects supported by multiple governmental and multi-lateral institutions, with offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Jos and Maiduguri. Our programs involve people to people conflict transformation, capacity building, collaborative action, media production, outreach and conflict analysis, with strong local partners around the country. The SFCG team is currently scaling up its work, and will have approximately 50 staff nationwide, with about half of these in northern Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Position: Deputy Country Director


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The Deputy Director position is a key member of the Leadership and Management Team, overseeing the successful implementation of programs across Northern Nigeria.
• S/he is responsible for management of program and operational staff, as well as relationships with local partners, local government authorities, and donors.
• S/he will report to the Country Director, based in Abuja, and will collaborate regularly with the Africa regional team and headquarters.

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Represent SFCG to government, donors, partners and local stakeholders across Northern Nigeria.
• Collaborates with the Regional and Headquarters team around program implementation, compliance, human resources.
• Works with the Country and Regional Team around opportunities for new business development.
• Assesses the environment in Nigeria and, working with the Country Director, develops the organization’s strategy in relation to the opportunities and risks in the environment.
• Supports the organization’s mission and philosophy and seeks to align the Northern Nigeria team’s performance to contribute to SFCG’s goals in Nigeria.
• Reports regularly to the Country Director about progress towards organizational objectives, financial status of organization and other issues of concern.

Management Responsibilities:

• Oversees the program and operational team working from Jos and Maiduguri offices, across all active programs. Undertakes periodic performance reviews with program and operational staff.
• Oversees the northern Nigeria programs’ operational and program budget (through management of the Finance and Admin team), ensuring that it is managed within the available resources.
• Oversees financial and fiscal administration, assuring compliance with SFCG, governmental and donor policies and procedures. Initiates improved policies and procedures where necessary.
• Reviews the results achieved per project under His/her management as compared with the organization’s philosophy, annual and long range goals, short-range goals, partner/donor goals, and the performance of similar organisations.
• Oversees the effective and timely reporting of narrative and financial reports to donors of all active projects in Northern Nigeria.
• Oversees human resources across Northern Nigeria, including hiring, assessing and directing the work of the staff from the Jos and Maiduguri offices.
• Establishes security and operational policies and procedures to operate effectively and safely in Northern Nigeria.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of the physical facilities owned / rented by the organization.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
• Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others.
• Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
• Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge among staff and partners.
• Travel frequently between Jos and Abuja, as well as to other parts of Northern Nigeria, contingent on security.
• Demonstrate consistency in ethical conduct and upholding and promoting the values of SFCG in their actions and decisions, in line with the organization’s mission to help the world understand differences and act on their commonalities.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.
• Tolerance for uncertainty, instability and unpredictable environment.
• Understands the opportunities for adaptation of programming to respond to rapidly changing contexts, while remaining compliant with rules and regulations.
• Has a high sense of accountability.
• Adheres to Policies and Procedures.
• Adheres to the organization’s Code of Conduct as well as ethical standards in the domain of conflict transformation.

Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to successfully perform this job:

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Organizational Development, Conflict and Peace studies or other related field or equivalent years of work experience.
• Five or more years of management experience, including experience managing complex programs in an international organization or non-profit organization.
• Experience in managing EU/USG funded programs.
• Experience in business development is an advantage.
• Prior experience in a management position in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience working in a conflict-affected or fragile environment. Experience in Nigeria is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets.
• Strong communications skills, with proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing program documents.
• Good strategic planning, goal-setting and prioritization skills.
• Proven effectiveness in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, donors, NGO partners and beneficiaries.
• Experienced in achieving results of the staff, including developing staff capacity and excellent collaboration with local partners.
• Demonstrated capacity to effectively communicate via writing, public speaking and interpersonal interactions.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite; Proficiency working within specialized software utilized in programs.
• Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance.

Salary
Commensurate with education and experience, with excellent benefits including housing.


How to Apply
Click here to apply