Organisation Background
Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international non-governmental organisation that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.
INSO services help NGOs with their day-to-day risk management responsibilities and improve their overall situational awareness to support evidence-based humanitarian access decisions.
INSO provides daily support to more than 1000 NGOs operating in 17 of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for its performance, principles and professionalism.
INSO is a global NGO, registered in the Netherlands with its headquarters based in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.
INSO in Chad
In December 2021, INSO received a letter of invitation from a group of NGOs based in Chad requesting INSO to support the humanitarian community with the establishment of an INSO safety platform. In response to this request, we are now looking for an experienced individual to deploy to Chad for the initial three months, to i. run the scoping mission, ii. get INSO registered, iii. develop the operational concept and submit funding proposals to institutional donors. This position will be based N’Djamena with field travel as required. The intention of the position is to develop the operational design for INSO in Chad in close collaboration with NGO partners and transition into a standard 12-month CD assignment when donor funding is identified and secured.
Job Summary
The successful candidate will manage initial set up of the organization by ensuring the successful registration of INSO with relevant national and local authorities, networking, strategizing and planning the structure of the mission, securing the funding for the program, and recruiting the program and support teams. Following the start-up phase, the Country Director will be in charge of leading, managing and directing the ongoing program implementation. The Country Director will possess solid program and human resources management skills and will be a natural and confident communicator, consensus-builder and networker. Successful candidates will combine keen intellect and analytical skills with pragmatism, patience and a good sense of humour. They will enjoy the challenge of translating strategic concepts into workable practices in difficult environments. Ideal candidates will come from an NGO/humanitarian background (senior management and programs), will be accomplished analysts and managers, and are not required to have military/police backgrounds.
Major Responsibilities:
IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITIES
Program set up
* Engage with the national and local authorities for the successful registration of INSO in Chad.
* Prepare the internal strategy document and secure sufficient funding from donors to start the platform (includes the lead on proposal development and completion)
* Hire and manage staff required at the set-up stage
* Develop relationships with NGO partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to establish lasting relationships and collaboration
* Draft and implement a security management protocol for the mission
* Work in tandem with the Regional Director, the Director of Operations and the Finance Controller to develop the mission structure, logistical set up and longer-term strategy
External Representation
* Effectively represent and protect INSO’s principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality and actively promote INSO as an integral member of the humanitarian community.
* Represent INSO towards senior humanitarian leadership, on a bilateral basis and in relevant coordination on issues affecting humanitarian access and safety.
* Engage with third parties, including local government, the UN, diplomatic missions and international military forces.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AFTER SET UP (beyond the initial 3 to 6 month stage)
Program Leadership and Management
* Provide engaged, effective leadership across the program, ensuring that INSO Chad performs well across all functions – program delivery, finance, operations, HR – and in compliance with INSO internal policies and protocols.
* Steward INSO resources effectively and transparently in full compliance with internal and donor policies.
* Develop and deliver annual program planning, aligning program development strategy with realistic assumptions of future funding.
* Manage INSO Chad donor relations and produce high-quality, compelling donor proposals and progress reports that underscore INSO Chad’s impact.
* Line manage the leads of programs, finance and ops support teams.
* Ensure that INSO Chad recruits and retains high-calibre staff and orient them to the INSO mandate.
* Promote and exemplify a culture of openness and collaboration.
* Uphold rigorous risk management standards, not least as it affects the welfare and wellbeing of staff.
Service Delivery
* Develop and maintain a nuanced personal understanding of the Chad context and the prevailing challenges to humanitarian safety and access.
* Be INSOs lead country expert and ensure the services incumbent to the country director (CD meetings, quarterly analytical reports, etc.).
* In collaboration with the Regional Director and the HQ team, identify the scope of services and develop service delivery standards
* Supervise all INSO Chad service delivery, ensuring that program targets are met, quality is maintained and that services remain relevant and responsive to the evolving context and needs of NGO partners.
* Deliver strategic analysis to senior humanitarian leadership, including through monthly directors’ briefings, quarterly analytical reports and as needed on request.
* Lead crisis management support to individual NGO partners or the NGO community at large during critical incidents.
Essential Requirements:
* Fluency in English and French both written and spoken.
* Previous experience as an NGO Country Director or a senior NGO Programme Manager
* Recent experience in Chad and advanced knowledge of local history and current social, political, and security contexts within the region.
* Solid understanding of principles and practices in broad humanitarian action, NGO safety and risk management, humanitarian access, and civil-military coordination
* Master’s Degree-level of education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field (please specify).
* Minimum of five (5) years in conflict affected contexts.
* Minimum three (3 years) in an NGO senior management role and crisis management.
* Proven analytical skills and experience with producing and editing analytical products
* Experience with humanitarian grant management, donor proposals and reporting (preferably with DG ECHO, USAID-BHA, SDC)
* Outgoing and confident personality, and a calm demeanour during crises. A self-starter who takes initiative to achieve results.
* Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills.
* Flexibility to frequently work within irregular hours and within austere environments.
Preferred Characteristics:
* Previous INSO experience (as a team member, a member of INSO’s country advisory board or as a beneficiary closely involved with the program).
* Previous experience in country office set-up
* Direct experience and involvement in a crisis management role.
* Experience in a highly-visible interagency role.
* Existing (relevant) local information networks and contacts.
* Experience and interest in Data management and analytical reporting
Key Personal Competencies:
* A people manager
* Quiet demeanour in stressful or crisis situations
* A good listener
* An effective communicator
* Team player
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Excellent analytical skills
Terms & Conditions:
3 month contract, €5,500 per month salary, four calendar days of annual leave per month, global medical coverage (excluding USA), USD $200,000 AD&D coverage. The contract is funded by INSO core funds and may be renewed for an additional 3 months. The CD position will be extended once the project transitions to sustainable donor funding.
INSO’s Safeguarding Policy
INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process. As such, the following safe recruitment practices will be applied:
* All offers of employment will be conditional on receiving at least two satisfactory professional references;
* INSO will ask candidates about significant gaps in employment history or frequent changes of employer and address;
* All essential qualifications and relevant professional accreditations and memberships will be verified;
* The successful candidate will be required to provide a valid proof of identity (passport, ID card);
* All new hires will receive an orientation in INSO’s safeguarding policy and procedures and associated documents (Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing etc);
* All new hires will be required to sign and abide by the Code of Conduct as a condition of employment.
How to apply
Interested applicants are requested to send the following to [email protected]
and reference “Country Director Chad” in the subject line of the email:
* Cover Letter specifying how you meet the mandatory requirements, any preferred characteristics, your motivation for applying, and what you hope to bring to INSO (2 page maximum).
* Updated CV (5 page maximum).
* One relevant and substantive writing sample, which demonstrates your analytical and reporting abilities (10 page maximum).
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please do not send any additional information (such as copies of certificates, copies of diplomas, other writing samples, etc.) and keep the total size of your application under 2MB.
More Information
- Job City N'djamena, Chad
