• Application Deadline:
• Position: Country Director Nigeria


• Job Type Full Time


• Qualification MBA/MSc/MA


• Experience 10 - 15 years


• Location Abuja


• Job Field Project Management 
  

FUNCTION

• The Country Director – Nigeria shall have deep experience and knowledge of various donors as well as agricultural value chain development. This position requires experience working in a highly competitive donor environment. The Country Director - Nigeria is the national-level representative of Heifer International in their respective country. This position will report to the Africa Regional Senior Vice President.


• New business development is the main function of this position. This position is responsible for building relationships and providing strategic direction to grow a strong portfolio of funding and programs. The Country Director – Nigeria will work closely with the Africa Regional team and new business development teams to develop and implement country-specific and cross-regional new business strategies by aligning Heifer’s programmatic priorities with funder priorities.


• This position will serve as Heifer’s chief brand ambassador in the country. The Country Director - Nigeria will represent Heifer in strategic forums to ensure Heifer carries strong brand recognition within the country. As a brand ambassador, this position will drive impactful strategic brand communication centered on effective strategies that will increase Heifer's profile and visibility.

Essential Character Traits

• Ability to apply a strategic mindset, business insight and organizational savvy to drive results in complex environments. Ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, instill trust, and demonstrate self-awareness. Ability to build effective teams and to be resourceful. Ability to provide effective leadership and drive team spirit.

Responsibilities & Deliverables

BRAND AMBASSADOR (20%)

• Facilitate the increased visibility of Heifer amidst the larger public including government officials, corporations, institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other development agencies in the country.


• Represent Heifer International before all persons and organizations at the country level, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, donors, and partners.


• Educate others about Heifer’s brand and positively always promote the brand.


• Thoroughly understand Heifer’s value proposition and tailor messages for individual audiences .


• Demonstrate an aptitude for creativity and innovation.


• Position Heifer as one of the thought leaders on thematic issues (i.e. livestock, agriculture, livelihoods, women, and youth).

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT and STRATEGY (60%)

• Lead the process of strategic visioning for Heifer International at the country level under the Africa Regional priorities.


• Form strategic partnerships that embrace the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and financial).


• Strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships (Public & Private) with all program stakeholders’ donors, and supporters.


• In collaboration with the New Business Development Teams, ensure the development and implementation of new business strategies with full landscape analysis.


• Keep abreast of funder priorities in the region.


• Establish solid knowledge of the government’s and donor’s development strategies for the country.


• Contribute to the proposal process to ensure adequate information is provided to build winning proposals.


• In partnership with signature program leaders work to identify and deploy capital investments across the signature programs.


• Build and maintain strong relationships among partner organizations and expand strategic networks and partnerships at local, country, and international level.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP (15%)

• Remain knowledgeable of and commission market-based demand-driven value chain studies to build out signature programs within the country.


• Maintain, cultivate, and grow a strong signature program portfolio.


• Work with signature program leaders to ensure quality delivery of Heifer’s model.


• Systematically identify viable value chain opportunities .


• Fosters a sense of connection and belonging.


• Shows openness to new ideas and fosters organizational learning.


• Maintain country-level requirements for Heifer’s legal operation.


• Provide sound operational and fiscal management.

MAY PERFORM OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%)

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s Degree from a recognized university or equivalent in Social Sciences or Business Administration, plus 10 - 15 years of relevant experience with at least five (5) years in a supervisory capacity. Fluent in English and local language/s, both spoken and written.

Preferred Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of major funders such as USAID, DFID, IFAD, AFDB, FAO, etc.


• Proven professional experience & results in agribusiness/community development.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Proven knowledge of new business development strategies


• Inspires and motivates others to take action.


• Aligns resources to accomplish key objectives and assigns clear accountability for important objectives. Achieves meaningful accomplishments.


• Ability to support differences of opinion, and help individuals resolve conflict in a constructive manner.


• Proven experience in development actions under the following or related themes: Food Security and Nutrition, Environment, Women and Youth Empowerment


• Knowledge of NGO regulatory environment in country of employment


• Knowledge of and skill in managing institutional and project budgets.


• Existing relationships with potential partners in Agri-business in country.


• Excellent analytical and writing skills.


• Familiarity with and experience in responding to requests for applications/proposals (RFA/RFP), call for proposals, indefinite quantity contracts and task orders.


• Excellent networking and negotiation skills.


• Public speaking skills.


• Skills with Microsoft Office package, internet browser, and other appropriate technology.


• Good understanding of and sensitivity to poverty, social and ethnic issues.


• Understand the importance of traditional customs to various ethnic issue.


• An excellent team player with the ability to work with diverse cultural groups.

Essential Job Functions And Physical Demands

• Unify a group of individuals behind a commonly shared vision.


• Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.


• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.


• Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the public.


• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule.


• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, both locally and internationally.


• Ability to meet and deal with others courteously and tactfully.


• Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality at all times.


• Ability to work with sensitive information and to maintain confidentiality.