About CIVIC

Center for Civilians in Conflict is an international nonprofit with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians caught in conflict zones. Our mission is to work with armed actors and civilians in conflict to develop and implement solutions to prevent, mitigate, and respond civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and advisors who provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org

About the Position

CIVIC worked with the G5 Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S), OHCHR and partners on the ground to contribute to reducing civilian harm associated with FC-G5S ‘operations in the border regions of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Chad in support of the Human Rights Compliance Framework (HRCF). The project general objective was to Improve FC-G5S’ capabilities to mitigate civilian harm throughout the lifecycle of operations.

CIVIC supported the FC-G5S to establish a system to track and adjust operations to mitigate civilian harm, the Civilian Incident Tracking and Analysis Mechanism (CITAC/MISAD), and ensure that FC-G5S personnel have a strong understanding of how to run and fully utilize this tool in furtherance of the HRCF.

In addition to CIVIC Sahel’s work with the FC-G5S, the Sahel team is planning to work in Niger, with additional support to Malian and Burkinabe forces. The aim is to move from the multinational (the MISAD) to the national level, using the impact of the MISAD to implement CHM at the national level of all three countries is a priority.

“Civilians in the Sahel are better protected” is the strategic vision of CIVIC Sahel program for the next four years. CIVIC aims to support conflict-affected civilians and civil society organizations improve their capacities and means to advance communities self-protection, and security forces improve capabilities and tools to protect civilians.

CIVIC is seeking highly qualified applicants for the positions of Deputy Country Director, Niger/ The position will be an integral part of the CIVIC program team reporting to the Regional Director, Sahel and works closely with other staff members in country, in the region and at HQ.

Job Purpose: The DCD has overall responsibility for supervising the implementation of CIVIC-Niger programs and management of the offices and staff, to achieve CIVIC’s mission and the objectives established in the grant(s).

Location: Niamey, Niger

Travel: Up to 30% required (domestic and international)

Staff Reporting: At list 5 staff in-country

Key Functions:

Overall Management and Leadership

  • Support periodic updates to the CIVIC-Sahel strategic plan.
  • Manage financial resources and provide oversight for grants.
  • Manage project personnel including the support of their ongoing professional development.
  • Represent CIVIC in formal and informal meetings with government and security officials, international organizations, donors, and national civil society groups pertinent to CIVIC project activities.
  • Supervise and Manage CIVIC programs, security and operations activities in country and in the Sahel region if required.

Programmatic

  • Provide technical input to the government, security forces, international donor agencies and civil society groups pertinent to CIVIC project activities.
  • Oversee research design, dissemination of information gathered and advocacy to advance programmatic and policy changes.
  • Oversee and coordinate the program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity.
  • Ensure implementation of strong program monitoring, evaluation and learning functions.
  • Strengthen the quality and effectiveness of existing programs in civilian protection and harm mitigation advocacy, technical assistance, and training, including through the development of a strong M&E framework.
  • Disseminate findings from CIVIC’s work that are of importance to decision-makers in a position to fund or implement projects in Niger.
  • Keep the partners and others informed about progress of the projects, plans for the development of new programs/projects/activities and donor involvement in the overall program.
  • Identify opportunities to expand programmatic work through partnerships and additional funding.

Financial and Administrative

  • Provide oversight to finance and administrative services including procurement, property management, human resources management, vehicle and facilities management, and staff safety and security.
  • Work with CIVIC headquarters to manage the development and implementation of annual country budgets.
  • Ensure the preparation and accuracy of financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements and ensure compliance with all aspects of donor funding and CIVIC policies.
  • Ensure timely submission of financial reports within the established CIVIC guidelines.
  • Authorize expenditures for grant or contract allocations and ensure compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements.
  • Hire and manage personnel for Niger projects in compliance with CIVIC policies and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

Operations and security

  • Understands the local security context
  • Oversee local and international staff travel arrangements with regard to security
  • In consultation with CIVIC’s security staff and consultants, responsible for overall security management of field office and staff
  • Helps develop and implement the security protocol and the overall security management of the office in Niger
  • Liaises directly with Regional Director, Sahel on any security breach and/or issue
  • Coordinates the use of third-party resources related to security, safety, and critical incident response such as medical or security assistance companies, security firms, and crisis consultants.

Requirements:

  • Minimum eight years of field experience in international security, human rights, advocacy and/or other related programs including demonstrated experience in program development, implementation and evaluation, plus a minimum master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Passion for CIVIC’s subject matter and willingness to take on the responsibilities and duties as a senior member of our team;
  • Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representation and advocacy.
  • Demonstrated capacity to mobilize program funding including donor cultivation and grants writing.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage staff and other administrative and financial activities in developing country programs – five years of experience in a management position.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to effectively lead a team, communicate a vision, make timely and transparent decisions, and manage conflict.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and create budgets and monitor financial status.
  • Ability to design and implement workshops, seminars, surveys, monitoring systems and evaluations. Experience in research design, data analysis and interpretation.
  • Excellent oral and written French and English language skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues into concise communications.
  • Knowledge and experience managing compliance to diverse donors (DFID, German, EU, DENMARK, etc.);
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills that effectively motivate staff and support team building; demonstrated ability to manage a professional team in a multi-cultural environment;
  • Well established and practiced organizational and planning skills;
  • Computer literacy, including use of internet, word processing and spreadsheets.
  • Experience with staff security and safety issues.
  • Ability and willingness to travel within Niger and the Sahel, periodic travel to other international locations.
  • Availability for a period of 1 year (renewable pending funding);
  • Fluency in English and French mandatory, other languages desirable;
  • A sense of humor and a passion for people and leadership.

Additional Details

Resumes are reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply early.

CIVIC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool in the belief that employees from diverse backgrounds are critical to achieving our goals. We strongly encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

CIVIC is not able to sponsor employees at this point in time, therefore, please ensure that you are able to legally work in this location when applying.

Note to Recruiters and Placement Agencies: CIVIC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. CIVIC does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.

This vacancy is archived.

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