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Country Director GOAL Niger

Background to GOAL Niger In 2005 GOAL set-up a Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in the Zinder region of Niger as an emergency response to the food crisis. As the country entered the post-emergency phase in 2006 the Nigerien Government accepted malnutrition to be an illness, which should be treated as part of the health service’s minimum package of care; and in the final quarter of 2006 the Government, with support from UNICEF, revised its protocol for the treatment of malnutrition. Therefore in 2007, GOAL began the integration of its 12 existing SFP sites into the adjacent Ministry of Health (MoH) run local health centres (CSIs) and also began supporting the integration of Out-patient Treatment Centres (OTC) for the treatment of severe uncomplicated malnutrition at the CSIs , with the aim that the MoH, rather than GOAL, would take responsibility for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition within the community that it serves. The nutrition programme ran until the end of May 2008 and was funded by IA-EHAF.

During this time also, the GOAL Niger programme transitioned from what was originally a humanitarian intervention to a multi-sectoral development programme working in the areas of Health (Nutrition and Water& Sanitation), Education and Livelihoods.

In late 2008 & 2009, the GOAL Niger programme focused on preparation for full-scale close out. The health and nutrition programmes came to an end when the ECHO and and EHAF grants terminated. In 2009 however, GOAL Niger continued to implement Livelihoods and WASH programmes in the Zinder region. The focus of its work in these two sectors was on capacity building of local communities to respond to the challenges that have arisen since GOAL were and reinforce the accomplishments to date that have been achieved with the support of GOAL in order to prepare communities for close-out.

However, GOAL recently conducted an assessment visit to Niger to investigate reports that the food security situation was deteriorating once again. On the basis of the findings of this report, it is necessary to scale up to respond to the emergency needs in our area of operation.

OVERALL DESCRIPTION The Country Director has overall responsibility for planning and delivering GOAL’s programme in Niger. RESPONSIBILITIES PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT The Country Director is responsible for ensuring that all programme activities are implemented, monitored and evaluated in a timely manner, to ensure that they are appropriate, necessary, cost effective, targeted, sustainable and in keeping with GOAL’s mission and philosophy. This includes developing and monitoring a coherent national strategy and communicating this to the GOAL team. The Country Director must assist with all preparation of project/ programme proposals and ensure their approval by Head Office prior to submission. In addition, they must ensure that all country/project agreements to be signed with Government / Donors must to be sent first to the GOAL Dublin office for approval before signing. The Country Director must ensure that there are regular effective communications within the country programme and with GOAL Dublin. This includes the completion of comprehensive and informative monthly progress reports. DONORS The Country Director is the principal point of contact with the in-country donors. The CD must be familiar with all of the donors present in-country, liaise with donors regularly, have on hand an up to date copy of donor guidelines and be familiar with their policies. It is the responsibility of the Country Director to secure project/programme funding from donors in-country where possible. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY The Country Director has overall responsibility for all aspects of financial and programme management. The Country Director has ultimate accountability for all financial matters in the field and must review and approve the monthly management accounts. Using information obtained from the monthly management report and programme managers reports monitor programme trends in order to predict the course of the programme. The Country Director has responsibility to inform Head Office of budgetary overspends or underspends as they affect programmes and plan appropriate interventions. The Country Director has overall responsibility for narrative and financial reporting to donors.

HUMAN RESOURCES/ SECURITY The Country Director holds overall responsibility for the management, health and welfare of the GOALies, including international and local personnel, including performance management. This includes ensuring that policies and guidelines are adhered to by all. The CD is also accountable for overall security of GOALies, which includes being fully informed regarding staff movement within country, and ensuring that all staff are familiar with security measures.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/LOGISTICS It is the responsibility of the Country Director to ensure that all available and appropriate resources are accessible in their country of assignment, ensuring that the policies and guidelines as laid down in the GOAL Logistics Manual are adhered to by all, and that the reporting requirements are fulfilled. This means ensuring that there are appropriate systems in place for the effective utilisation and management of finance, personnel, supplies, transport, capital assets etc. REPRESENTATION The Country Director has the responsibility and mandate to represent GOAL within their country of assignment, ensuring that there is appropriate liaison and negotiation with the relevant Government partners, regional and local authorities; donors; local agencies etc. at all levels of project implementation. KNOWLEDGE All Country Directors must be fully informed regarding the political, security and humanitarian conditions within their country of assignment. MEDIA/PR/VISIBILITY Media and PR coverage for GOAL in a developing country is the responsibility of the Country Director. The Country Director must seek out and present GOAL to any international media personnel in country, and ensure coverage of GOAL activities. REQUIREMENTS • 5 years or more previous overseas management experience in humanitarian assistance programmes, at least 2 years of which must be at senior management level. • Experience of managing security, as it relates to staff and programme activities. • Experience of managing large, multinational teams of people. • Experience of liaising with donors and government officials, and of donor proposal writing and reporting, with a proven ability to secure donor funding. • Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. • A willingness to accept basic living conditions. • Budgetary control and financial management skills. • Fluent French & English.

How to apply:

If you would like to apply for the above position, please send your CV and covering letter to applications@goal.ie, ensuring that the job title and location of the role are clearly stated in the subject line of your email. Thank you.