Country Director - Nigeria

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

ABOUT TERRE DES HOMMES

Terre des hommes Foundation is an independent, neutral and impartial Swiss organisation founded in 1960. The organisation works to create meaningful and lasting improvements in the lives of children and young people, particularly those exposed to significant risks. Terre des hommes operates in humanitarian and development settings across several countries, focusing on maternal and child health, migration, access to justice and child protection.

COUNTRY CONTEXT

Terre des hommes has worked in Nigeria since 2008. The organisation established an operational base in Maiduguri in 2017 and reopened a base in Benue State in 2025. It currently implements programmes across Borno, Benue, Nasarawa, Ondo and Cross River States. Programme areas include health, water, sanitation and hygiene, migration, access to justice, education, child protection, safeguarding and child rights in business.

JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Country Director - Nigeria

Department: Operations

Duty Station: Abuja

Travel Requirement: Regular travel to Benue and Borno States

Contract Duration: 24 months

Expected Start Date: October 18, 2026

Application Deadline: Open until filled

ROLE PURPOSE

The Country Director will provide ethical, strategic and operational leadership for Terre des hommes' mission in Nigeria. The position will lead the country team under a shared vision aligned with the organisation's strategic direction, values, policies and commitments to children and vulnerable communities.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Lead all country personnel under a shared organisational vision.
• Develop the country strategic plan in collaboration with programme and technical teams.
• Ensure the country strategy is aligned with the organisation's global strategic framework.
• Develop and oversee annual operational plans.
• Position Terre des hommes effectively within Nigeria's humanitarian and development environment.
• Consolidate the existing programme portfolio.
• Identify strategic opportunities for organisational growth and programme expansion.
• Strengthen relationships with government institutions, donors, humanitarian actors and private-sector partners.
• Lead efforts to secure new institutional and private-sector funding.

PROGRAMME AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Ensure annual operational plans are implemented according to approved processes.
• Oversee programme quality, accountability, budgeting, human resources and logistics.
• Ensure programmes are delivered according to approved objectives and organisational standards.
• Maintain oversight of operations across all states where Terre des hommes works.
• Ensure safeguarding and child-protection requirements are integrated into programmes.
• Provide leadership in complex and insecure operating environments.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and organisational procedures.

COMMUNICATION AND REPRESENTATION

• Represent Terre des hommes before government authorities, donors, United Nations agencies, NGOs and programme partners.
• Oversee internal and external communication for the country delegation.
• Maintain effective communication between the Nigeria delegation and regional and global structures.
• Ensure accountability to children, communities, staff, partners and donors.

TEAM LEADERSHIP

• Supervise and support senior managers and other staff.
• Promote teamwork, professional development, inclusion and accountability.
• Ensure staff understand organisational policies, expected conduct and programme priorities.
• Support staff wellbeing and performance management.

SAFETY, SECURITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

• Take responsibility for the safety and security of personnel.
• Ensure appropriate security rules and contingency plans are developed and implemented.
• Maintain an operational risk-management system.
• Ensure employees and partners understand and follow security procedures.
• Take ultimate responsibility for mission-level security risks and humanitarian access.
• Promote a strong organisational security culture.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in International Development, Humanitarian Studies, Management, Social Sciences or another relevant field.
• At least five years of senior NGO management experience in field-based or international positions.
• Previous management experience in a context similar to Nigeria.
• Demonstrated experience developing organisational or country strategies.
• Experience in humanitarian and development programming.
• Successful record of securing institutional funding.
• Experience engaging donors such as ECHO, United Nations agencies, FCDO, AFD, USAID or similar institutions.
• Strong programme, grant, budget and portfolio-management experience.
• Experience managing senior personnel and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong proposal-development and donor-reporting experience.
• Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of relevant Nigerian languages is desirable.
• French is an advantage.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND SAFEGUARDING

• Comply with the Terre des hommes Global Code of Conduct.
• Report suspected violations through the appropriate reporting mechanisms.
• Promote awareness of abuse, violence and the rights of children and community members.
• Comply with child-safeguarding, anti-fraud, anti-corruption and workplace-conduct policies.
• Promote responsible, transparent and informed leadership.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should complete the online application through the official Terre des hommes recruitment portal using the application link provided above. Applicants should upload an updated CV and all other documents requested on the recruitment portal.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The vacancy is open until a suitable candidate is selected. Early application is strongly recommended.