Director of Operations - Nigeria

Location Maiduguri, Nigeria

Position Status Full-time; Regular

Risk Level: ☐ Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps Nigeria implements a variety of programs with the ultimate goal of building productive, secure and just communities. The organization’s programs are implemented in many states, mainly in north and north-east Nigeria. Our work covers the following sectors: economic development, livelihoods/food security, adolescent girls & boys empowerment, financial resilience, conflict mitigation and humanitarian response. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors.

General Position Summary

The Director of Operations is a critical member of the country’s senior management team with supervisory and managerial responsibility. Reporting to the Country Director, the Director of Operations will be primarily responsible for enabling excellence in all operations functions of all offices in Nigeria, including procurement, logistics, assets, fleet, and warehousing. S/he will be required to strengthen the operational performance and efficiency of the organization by developing the capacity of staff and establishing the right systems. S/he will also ensure that managerial processes, resources, and the necessary infrastructure are all in place. The Operations Director provides support and leadership through capacity building and the development of systems. This is an exciting opportunity to influence key outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of Nigerians. This position requires traveling to all field offices.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction of program support department by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Work with the Country Director and senior management team to support the growth of the program portfolio, formulate strategies and plans.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall program targets and donor obligations are met.
• Communicate with our partners to verify their systems and that they understand and follow all appropriate procedures and archiving.
• Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with external stakeholders.

Operational

• Ensure integration of program support systems and processes in all Mercy Corps Nigeria offices.
• Ensure all offices have capacity (human and technical) to support smooth program operations.
• Ensure internal and donor procedures, policies, and guidelines are followed.
• Establish and maintain a pipeline of supplies, overseeing the logistical aspects of the operation; oversee NFI, commodity storage, and movements as needed.
• Ensure unified and cost-effective fleet management, including tracking of maintenance, fuel usage, and vehicle scheduling.
• Oversee set-up and development of Mercy Corps offices, including drafting and reviewing contracts for office and housing space, and leasehold improvements.
• Develop and periodically review country or field office-specific policies and communicate them to teams.
• Oversee database and file management for administration, procurement and logistics documents.
• Oversee facility management, including housing and office leases; ensure that security standards are maintained at all premises.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps contracts and business transactions/relationships are transparent and in compliance with Nigeria law and Mercy Corps/donor policies.

Team Management

• Lead and develop program support teams in the main office and field offices.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Take ultimate responsibility of performance of program support functions.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
• Draft and review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

Directly: Operations Manager, and Senior Safety and Security Officer

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director

Works Directly With: HQ Regional Finance Officers, HQ Global Supply Chain (GSC), HQ Global Procurement, Internal Auditors, Finance Director, Human Resources, and Programs Managers/Directors.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/BS degree in a relevant field.
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience setting up and managing administration, procurement, logistics, and human resource systems with NGOs or a business with supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of supporting complex operations in challenging environments.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines, and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures (esp. procurement systems) desirable; knowledge of USAID and other donor regulations will be helpful.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

The successful Operations Director will be good at problem-solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. An impeccable professional standard, procurement ethics, and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures are essential. S/he will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with all personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity, while demonstrating the ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment, and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Maiduguri, and it requires up to 50% travel to field locations (including deep-field sites), where security is at high risk. Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, is generally secure. Housing, health care, water, electricity, and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible, and there are domestic travel options from Maiduguri Airport. Air travel is necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phone services are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices with some inconsistencies in the most remote sites.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).