Country Lead

Country Lead at Hope Spring Community Humanitarian Initiative

The Hope Spring Community Humanitarian Initiative is a recognized non-governmental organization (NGO) registered with Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It operates primarily as the Nigerian arm or partner of Hope Spring Water, a UK-registered charity dedicated to improving access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)

Country Lead

• Job Type Full Time , Onsite
• Qualification BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
• Experience 7 years
• Location Borno
• Job Field Consultancy , NGO/Non-Profit

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Program Direction

• Lead the development, adaptation, and implementation of the country strategy and annual operational plans in line with the organization’s global priorities and local context.

• Ensure programs deliver measurable outcomes and contribute to national ownership, sustainability, and long-term impact.

• Identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and adaptation based on emerging needs, evidence, and changing context.

• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and impact measurement; use data to improve programs and report results.

• Program Quality & Implementation

• Provide overall oversight of program design, implementation, and quality assurance across all projects/thematic areas.

• Ensure activities achieve intended outputs, outcomes, and results while promoting accountability to communities and partners.

• Lead risk identification and management, including operational, programmatic, and reputational risks.

• Promote localization by strengthening local partners, civil society organizations, and government capacity where relevant.

• Team Leadership & People Management

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing country team (often including technical advisors, program managers, finance, and operations staff).

• Recruit, coach, mentor, and manage performance of staff; foster an inclusive, values-driven, and empowering culture.

• Ensure staff safety, security, well-being, and adherence to organizational policies (including safeguarding and codes of conduct).

• Support professional development and succession planning, with a focus on national staff leadership.

• Financial Management, Grants & Resource Mobilization

• Oversee country budgets, financial planning, and expenditure tracking to ensure efficient and compliant use of funds.

• Ensure strong grant management, donor compliance, accurate reporting, and audit readiness.

• Lead or support fundraising and resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development, donor cultivation, and diversification of funding.

• Maintain financial integrity and value-for-money principles.

• External Representation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary representative of the organization in the country with government ministries, donors, UN agencies, other NGOs, civil society, communities, and media.

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships and coalitions that advance the mission.

• Engage in policy dialogue, advocacy, and coordination platforms to influence enabling environments and promote the organization’s priorities.

• Uphold and promote the organization’s brand, values, and reputation.

• Operations, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure effective operational systems (HR, logistics, administration, security) that support program delivery.

• Guarantee full compliance with local laws, organizational policies, donor requirements, and international standards (e.g., Core Humanitarian Standard where applicable).

• Provide regular, high-quality narrative and financial reports to regional/global leadership and donors.

• Lead country-level planning, budgeting, and performance review processes.

• Typical Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred (Bachelor’s minimum) in International Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, Management, or a relevant field.

• 7–12+ years of progressive experience in the non-profit/development/humanitarian sector, including significant senior leadership experience at country or program level.

• Proven track record of leading complex programs, managing teams, and delivering results in the relevant thematic area (e.g., health, education, livelihoods, climate, rights, etc.).

• Strong experience in donor relations, grant management, and preferably fundraising.

• Excellent external representation, networking, and influencing skills with government and other stakeholders.

• Solid financial and operational management skills.

• Cultural sensitivity, political acumen, and ability to navigate complex local contexts.

• Fluency in the local language(s) and English (or the organization’s working language); deep understanding of the country context is highly valued.

• Commitment to the organization’s mission, values, and principles (including equity, inclusion, and accountability).

• Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and adaptive leadership

• Program quality and results orientation

• Partnership building and stakeholder management

• People leadership and capacity development

• Financial acumen and resource stewardship

• Communication, influence, and representation

• Problem-solving and resilience in challenging environments

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