Deputy Country Director

AI summary

Solidarites International is hiring a Deputy Country Director for its Nigeria mission based in Abuja. The role provides leadership and management of strategic programming, overseeing program development, quality, and accountability across WASH, FSL, and Shelter sectors in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. The position reports to the Country Director and coordinates technical coordinators, field coordinators, and support services.

• Senior leadership role overseeing strategic programming and program quality
• Based in Abuja with coordination across Northeast and Northwest Nigeria
• Reports to Country Director and liaises with HQ departments
• Directs FSL, WASH, and MEAL coordinators plus field teams
• 6-month mission with desired start date of 01/10/2026
• Requires MBA/MSc/MA and 5 years experience

Original source description

For over 35 years, the humanitarian aid organization SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has been committed to providing aid in the event of conflict and natural disasters. Our mission is to provide aid as quickly and as efficiently as possible to endangered populations by meeting their vital needs: drinking water, food and shelter. After providing e... Read more about this company Deputy Country Director Job Type Full Time Qualification MBA/MSc/MA Experience: 5 years Location Abuja Job Field Desired start date: 01/10/2026 Duration of the mission: 6 months About the mission SI has been present in Nigeria for 10 years - since 2016 in Northeast Nigeria and 2020 in the Northwest. SI’s coordination office is in Abuja and there are 2 regional base: In Maiduguri for the NE, including 2 sub base in Monguno and Ngala. In Gusau (Zamfara state) for the NW programs inclusing 1 sub offices in Birnin Kebbi (Kebbi State). In the Northeast, SI operates in 3 LGAs of Borno state (Monguno, Ngala and Konduga). SI has also intervened in other LGAs includingJere, Maiduguri MMC, Dikwa, Gwoza and Bama in the recent past.as well as emergency operation in Adamawa State. In the Northwest, SI intervenes in 5 LGAs of Zamfara state: Gusau, Anka, Talata Mafara, Zurmi and Kaura Namoda. SI also newly opened a base (2026) in Birnin Kebbi, to operate in 6 LGAs of Kebbi State related to an INTPA project. Si can ensure also emergency operation in Sokoto and Katsina States. The annual volume of the Nigeria mission is between 6 and 7 million USD. SI's mission in Nigeria responds to the critical needs of populations affected by conflict, natural disasters and epidemics in the North East and North West of the country, through its traditional sectors of intervention, namely WASH, FSL and Shelter. SI is currently funded by a number of institutional donors, including ECHO, CDCS, INTPA, SIDA RRM and NHF (US funding), with the possibility of further funding depending on the development of the mission's projects. The mission also relies on a partnership approach, localization and good coordination to strengthen its intervention in the country. It works closely with two local partners (GPON and FINDEF) and participates actively in existing coordination platforms. Mission staff : 160 The Deputy Country Director will directly the program coordination team composed of : FSL Coordinator WASH Coordinaor MEAL Coordinator She/he will closely work with Grants & Partnership Coordinator, Field Coordinators and Project Managers of the mission. The Deputy country director will report to the Country Director and be in link with RPDO & PEQD department in HQ. About the job General objective: The Deputy country director Programs’ prime objectives are to provide leadership and management of the strategic programming, overseeing the strengthening of SI’s programs development, quality and accountability. The DCD-Programs ensures the internal coherence between program activities and is responsible for ensuring that programs are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately. He or She leads a team of technical coordinators and advisors dedicated to promoting technical expertise and quality programming in direct liaison with the Program Manger. He or She closely collaborates with Field Coordinators and Supports Services to mitigate operational constraints. The DCD-Programs leads the roll-out of institutional workstreams and cross-cutting theme framework with the support of the Programs coordination team and in collaboration with the Field Coordinators. The main challenges: Access challenges and remote management due to security contraints in some areas of intervention Strengthening programme quality monitoring processes, remote monitoring and means of verification Strategic positionning in a global trend of funding decrease Focus on partnership and localization in all areas of intervention. This requires adapted operational modalities and a support to local partners. Priorities for the 2/3 first months: Support the programmatic strategy (2027-2029) and PROG 2027 implementation Reviewing evaluations, conducting needs assessments and defining intervention logics for project development Close monitoring the implementation of projects in line with deadlines and quality standards (CASH SOP, RRM ... etc) Follow-up of external representation and positioning of SI Monitoring of partnerships and capacity building plan in coordination with G&P department and E&C Department Security constraints: No walking policy everywhere in the country / Security situation calm in Abuja, level 2 (out of 5), Maiduguri is level 3 and level 4 inother bases/sub-bases. Your profile Diplomas and Experiences: Diplomas : M.Sc in Humanitarian affairs, programming, International affairs or similar sectors Experience: in the humanitarian sector : 5 or + years Experience: on a similar position : 3/4 years Skills Technical skills: Extensive knowledge about project cycle management and monitoring tools Operational monitoring and improvement of programmatic delivery in insecure and remote areas Good knowledge of cross-cutting issues, such as environment & climate change adaptations, gender, protection mainstreaming, etc. Knowledge of SI sectors of intervention (WASH, FSL, CASH Modality, Shelter) is a plus Experience: in partnerships mapping and development Transversal skills: Autonomy, prioritization and self-organization Management and leadership Innovative and solutions oriented External representation Ability to provide training and capacity building Languages: English is mandatory Hausa (strong asset) French (an asset) SI will offer you A salaried position: According to experience, starting from EUR 3080 gross per month (2800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 750. SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment. Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked. Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded. Living Conditions: The DCDP is based in Abuja with frequent field visit expected in the regional offices (Maiduguri. Birnin Kebbi and potentially Gusau or Sokoto). In Abuja, living condition are good and all commodities and goods (local or imported) can be found (supermarket, restautant, cinema, sport centers ...). Abuja GH is Comfortable with private bedroom and bathroom, 24/7 electricity and internet. GH is located in the same estate as the office, avoiding taking the car every morning but still clearly separated from working area (not the same building). Estate where GH/Office is located is providing Gym room, Swimming pool and squash court. At base level, (Maiduguri, Birnin Kebbi and Gusau), the bases offers a comfortable environment, in spite of limited movements outside of the compound for security reasons. The Guest House offers good living conditions, with private bedroom and bathroom and shared & comfortable common spaces. Electricity and internet are available at the office and at the GH at all times. Ping pong, pool table and some gym equipment are available in the GH in Maiduguri. All essential good (food, hygiene etc..) can be bought locally in the small shops around the office, or in the pre-validated supermarket. Visits to other NGOs are possible, as well as some pre-validated places (hotel and restaurants). Occasional field visit in NE sub bases, to ensure a correct program overview depedning on the security context and validation. No Overnight are possible in NE sub bases, only daily round trip with UNHAS are possible. Check how your CV aligns with this job Method of Application Note : CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline. Interested and qualified? Go to Solidarites International on www.solidarites.org to apply Build your CV for free. Download in different templates.