COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale Job for a Head of Mission in Abuja

COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale is an humanitarian, non confessional and independent Foundation (NGO) that fights against all kinds of poverty to make the world a better place. Founded in 1965, COOPI is based in Milan and it has 24 headquarters in the South of the World.


COOPI works in different sectors: agriculture, water and sanitation, health care and nutrition, humanitarian assistance, human rights, education, socio-economic services, migration and relies on the expertise of 32 employees and 47 consultants in Italy, 121 expatriates and 4.500 local operators. In 2012, COOPI reached 3,6 millions beneficiaries.

COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale is  recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Mission

Location: Abuja
Area of intervention: Northern states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa
Contract length: ASAP for at least 6 months, renewable for other 6 months

Summary of Position

• The Head of Mission manages the overall program in Nigeria from a programmatic and operational perspective, as well as leading on fundraising and donor relations.
• He/she leads the Leadership and Management Team (comprised of key senior staff) and leads the team in ongoing improvements.
• This position reports to the Area Manager at the HQ. The position is located in Abuja, with substantial travel to Yobe State.

• He/she manages relations with the main institutional donors and with potential ones.
• He/she represents COOPI in the country/area by engaging in relations with institutions, NGOs, local and international organizations and partners.
• He/she also is responsible of the organization’s reputation in the country.

• He/she verifies and proposes to the Area Manager the intervention priorities to consolidate the organization’s opportunity to be more involved in the country.
• He/she contributes to the definition of the Country Strategy and proposes the country planning (projects and coordination).

• He/she coordinates and directly monitors projects, guaranteeing the correct implementation in conformity with the contractual obligations and donors’ procedures, and in line with COOPI’s procedures and management standards.
• He/she is responsible for the preparation of projects reports and all the monitoring documents requested by the central headquarters.
• He/she ensures the transmission of all official and administrative project documents to the central headquarters.
• He/she coordinates the elaboration, writing and documents’ preparation for presenting new projects, referring to the Area Manager and the headquarters support offices.

• He/she is responsible for all different aspects related to the country office management: economic and financial situation, local regulations, office organization charts, logistics, local and expatriate personnel management, in conformity with the organization’s guidelines.
• He/she guarantees the respect of the country’s legislation and administrative regulation.

• He/she is responsible for the local staff management.
• He/she participates and supports the Area Manager and the Human Resources office in the selection of the expatriate staff.
• He/she coordinates and monitors the country’s expatriate staff management.

• He/she is responsible for the expatriate staff security, for the correct implementation and respect of the general security rules.

• He/she is responsible for the country’s economic result.
• He/she supervises the financial management and ensures - through the administrative function - that all financial reporting deadlines and donor/COOPI’s procedures are respected.
• He/she participates to the projects/coordination budget preparation.
• He/she has the signature for all COOPI’s bank accounts in the country.

• He/she cooperates with the Communication and Fund-Raising office for all communication, awareness and fund raising activities implemented in and for the country.

• Advanced Degree in International Education, International Development, Health and Nutrition or a related field or equivalent work.
• Previous minimum 3-year experience in a similar position, with a track record of success and results achieved;
• Strong supervisory abilities, and demonstrated capacity of teamwork and of coordination with the relevant actors;
• Very good inter-personal and writing communication skills;
• Ability to organize work efficiently and deliver assignments in a timely manner often under time constraints;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Computer literacy, with high proficiency in the use of standard office software applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
• Valid driving license.
• Previous experience with an international humanitarian NGO is an advantage;
• Desirable experience of working on ECHO and UN projects;
• Desirable experience of working in emergency situations;
• Strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills;