Country Director 284 views0 applications

TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty. A nonprofit organization operating in 29 countries, we work with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. By linking people to information, capital and markets, we have helped millions to create lasting prosperity for their families and communities.

We are recruiting to fill te position below:

Job Title: Country Director

Requisition Number: COUNT002189
Location: Nigeria
Job type: Full-time
Job Category: Operations

Program Overview

• TechnoServe has been active in Nigeria since the 1990s, working with farmers, cooperatives, suppliers and processors to strategically develop competitive industries around key crops, including dairy, horticulture, cashew, and staples such as rice and cassava.
• During the 1990s, we built the capacity of farmer organizations to develop aquaculture, livestock staples and other agribusiness opportunities. Since then, we have also focused on designing out-grower schemes, linking agro-processors to local producers, and supporting several farmer livelihood programs to improve farmer income. Additionally, we work with small retail shops to become more prosperous while supporting food processors to improve compliance with national fortification mandates.

Job Summary

• The Country Director is the heart of the organization and must successfully function at many different levels at once.
• The Country Director is simultaneously a diplomat, networker, sales person, program, finance and people managers, often serving in all of these roles in any one day.  It is one of the most challenging roles in our organization, but also one of the most rewarding for its direct impact on making the world a better place.
• The Nigeria Country Director leads all aspects of TechnoServe’s country level strategic branding, fundraising, and operations to achieve sustainable economic development in a cost-effective manner.
• This position serves as TechnoServe’s in-country legal representative and provides overall management of TechnoServe Nigeria, including HR, procurement, finance and operations, ensuring efficient and effective and high quality implementation of programs, compliance with all donor and local legal requirements as well as TechnoServe policies and regulations.
• The Country Director serves as an important link between the country office and our headquarters in the US. S/he provides context rich communications and are critical advocates for building and maintaining a culture in line with our strategy and values.
• The Country Director generally has knowledge or expertise in one or more of TechnoServe’s technical areas of excellence so that s/he can credibly represent the organization effectively. However, the Country Director often focuses his/her time much more on business development, program management, and people management than on serving as a technical advisor.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• The Country Director is expected to effectively manage all aspects of country operations including:
• Program Oversight: Coaching and supervising leaders and managers of programs for successful delivery of results; ensuring timely submission of internal reports and corporate measurement; ensuring timely submission of high quality donor reports with support of the divisional back-stopping team; supporting country-level adaptation and use of program management tools; and working with program staff to identify and address technical assistance needs.
• Program Development: In collaboration with regional leadership and program development teams, executing a business strategy aligned with TechnoServe’s global and regional strategies, maintaining and building strong relationships with a wide range of donors, and proactively developing and delivering upon a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the country platform and scale TechnoServe’s impact.
• Stakeholder Representation: Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with relevant in-country stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector companies, business associations, and civil society organizations; securing their support as needed; representing TechnoServe at internal and external functions.  Also establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with internal divisional, regional, and HQ teams.
• People Leadership: Hiring, supporting, and managing a talented local staff in line with local labor laws as well as TechnoServe policies and approaches related to recruiting, pay, and performance. Putting together and leading a local senior management team made up of program managers, HR, Finance, and Procurement functions.  Developing and communicating a principled commitment to TechnoServe’s mission and building a working culture that aligns with organizational values of integrity and collegiality
• Compliance Leadership: Representing TechnoServe in all legal matters at the country level, and ensuring TechnoServe retains and consults with qualified local legal counsel as needed; ensuring that TechnoServe is properly registered and complies with all related regulations.
• Finance Leadership: Reviewing and approving expenditures to ensure compliance with country and donor budgets and TechnoServe’s procurement/finance policies; ensure submission of high quality reports and documents to TechnoServe’s HQ on a timely basis in accordance with the corporate calendar, including monthly financial close, annual and mid-year budgets; monitor burn rates on a monthly basis and course correct spending as needed and/or ensure donor and internal budget realignments are requested and approved when required.
• Safety and Security: Ensuring that the country office has a robust and highly communicated security plan; expeditiously managing safety and security issues as they arise, with help from headquarters and our external security advisors.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• 5 years’ implementation and management experience relating to large-scale projects with responsibility for all aspects of operations including HR, Finance, and Procurement.
• Proven ability to fundraise / work with donor organizations and professionally and proactively represent an organization.
• Experience working in developing countries
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, including report writing and presentations.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% and internationally as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications:

• West Africa country and program management experience is strongly preferred
• Significant operations experience, including experience in budget development and management
• Private sector experience and/or overall business acumen
• Strong people management skills and experience with a record of recruiting and retaining top talent as well as the ability to quickly address performance and/or behavior issues.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Entrepreneurial and inspirational, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-performing teams in stressful contexts.
• Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Supervisory Responsibilities – Supervises program and operations staff.