Head of Mission, Humanitarian Operations Manager – Burkina Faso

NCA’s presence in West Africa dates back to 1984. Its country office is located in the capital, Bamako, with field offices in Gao and Kidal, and a newly established sub office in Ouagadougou. NCA has both humanitarian and development interventions in Kidal, Gao and Mopti regions of Mali and in the Boucle de Mouhoun and the Est region in Burkina Faso. For the strategic period 2020-24, NCA Sahel´s thematic programmes are Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SSR), Peacebuilding and Strengthening Civil Society.

Based on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Sahel, NCA aims to further strenghten its humanitarian capacity in the Mali and Burkina Faso with the sub office in Ouagadougou as a base. To support this process, NCA is seeking a Head of Mission with broad experience from leading and building humanitarian operations in complex conflict environments. The main purpose of the position is to secure a solid funding base and ensure high quality implementation together with local partners in NCAs areas of interventions in Burkina Faso. In addition, this position has the responsibility for the development and quality of humanitarian projects in both countries.

As a successful candidate, you have a solid understanding of various disciplines involved in humanitarian responses e.g. programme, logistics, security, negotiating humanitarian access and human resource management as well as the practical application of humanitarian principles and key standards. From previous positions, you have experience with various in-country humanitarian coordination mechanisms. Although working under high pressure, you remain sensitive to differences in culture and maintain a collegial and diplomatic tone. You enjoy sharing your knowledge and experience with others, while also learning from them. Although working under high pressure, you remain sensitive to differences in culture and maintain a collegial and diplomatic tone. You see flexibility as a natural part of your everyday life. You enjoy sharing your knowledge and experience with others, while also learning from them. Your digital attributes are good, and you see the benefit of getting to know new systems. Last but not least, you are good at communicating with your surroundings both internally and externally.

This is a minimum one-year contract with possibilities for extension depending on results and funding.

We are looking for a team player, as the Head of Mission has a responsibility for the development of the regional office as a whole, and is a member of the NCA Sahel management team.

Job description

• Program development and fund raising: Increase the funding for both humanitarian and development projects in line with NCAs strategy.
• Good quality humanitarian interventions: Ensure rapid implementation with good quality of the humanitarian interventions in both countries.
• Strengthening the capacity of local staff and partners
• Day to day management: Directly line manage local staff and regional humanitarian staff. Ensure a good functioning of the sub office. Responsible for security.
• Cooperation and coordination: Ensure good cooperation and coordination with the regional office, sub offices and Head office. We are looking for a team player, as the Head of Mission has a responsibility for the development of the regional office as a whole, and is a member of the NCA Sahel management team.

Qualifications

• An academic qualification at Masters’ level or equivalent in humanitarian or conflict studies, project management or other relevant political or social science subjects. Extensive humanitarian experience may compensate for no relevant Master
• Minimum 5 years’ experience from the humanitarian sector, preferably in a complex conflict environment
• Three years or more of management experience including of field offices
• Solid knowledge of humanitarian principles, standards and coordination mechanisms
• Previous exposure to WASH, SGBV and protection programming is an advantage
• Proven strong communication and coordination skills across organizational functions
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and French

Personal qualities

• Able to balance the need to act with reflection and planning
• Strong analytical skills and capacity
• Strong communication skills, written and oral
• Able to plan, coordinate and lead processes that include multiple stakeholders and interests
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability–experience from the Sahel or a similar context is an advantage
• Good digital skills
• Able to mentor, coach and develop staff
• Flexibility
• The person to be employed must be loyal to NCA values

We offer

• The opportunity to shape the content of this new position for NCA Sahel
• Competitive expatriate conditions
• Salary package that is commensurate with the tasks

Before you submit your application, we kindly ask you to read the ACT Code of Conduct for the prevention of misconduct, including corruption, fraud, exploitation and abuse, including sexual; and to ensure child safeguarding and the Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding policy. All staff are required to sign the Code of Conduct and Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse, and Child Safeguarding Policy when entering into any kind of engagement with NCA.