Job opportunity for a country deputy director to be based in Abuja; advanced degree required

A vacancy has been announced at ABUJA EXPATS, but no deadline of submission was mentioned.  You may want to give it a try.

Job Title: Deputy Director – Axios Nigeria 

Reports to: Country Director – Axios Nigeria 

Job Location: Abuja, Nigeria 

To Apply: Send email to: rachel.hampshire@axiosfoundation.org 

1. Position Purpose

The Deputy Country Director will represent Axios’ corporate vision and strategic objectives in Nigeria together with the Country Director and act as the head of the Axios Foundaation in Nigeria in the Country Director’s absence. He/she will oversee members of a senior management team that may include Project Director(s) for part of the overall Axios/Nigeria portfolio. Through this team, the Deputy Country Director will be responsible for Axios performance in implementing a number of projects within budget, to the satisfaction of clients, and to a high standard of technical quality and compliance with donor requirements. 

The Deputy Country Director will also develop and maintain strong ties with Axios clients in Nigeria, the Government of Nigeria, other USG Implementing Partners (IPs) and stakeholders, and other potential clients in the public and private sectors, both to assure that current client needs are being met, to collaboratively develop and improve existing projects, and to develop new project opportunities. He/she will also represent Axios in national fora and meetings with government and other stakeholders particularly where these relate to cross-cutting or policy issues.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

Capture Management: 

• Identify new business opportunities in AF’s areas of strategic interest and strength. The key elements will be 
• Market analysis –understand and forecast market trends and competitive landscape 
• Positioning – develop, define and ensure recognition of AF service offerings
• Intelligence – identify and track upcoming funding opportunities, and define 
• AF response tactics (e.g. identify and develop partnerships with primes / subs). 

Relationships Building: 

• Leverage an extensive network of contacts and relationships across the global health community to identify and develop business opportunities. 
• Define and exploit existing AF clients’ needs and opportunities with responsive proposals which generate additional funding
• Develop relationships with governmental client officials, especially USAID/USG, CDC and GFATM, to understand their priorities, plans and funding mechanisms and the means to realize new funding 
• Develop relationships with potential partners - major international NGOs working in the health arena to achieve new funding 
• Proposal Development: 
• Contribute to proposal development effort: 
• Drafting responsive text 
• Review and editing to improve contextual responsiveness to project objectives 

Project Management: 

• Coordinate with the Nigeria Country Director on project management needs
• Support project management as needed
• Incorporate country project managers in business development efforts as appropriate 

3. Relationships

• Direct reporting to Country Director
• Close working relationship with President, Axios Foundation
• Key relationship with Axios Foundation Director of Business Development 
• Key relationship with Axios Foundation Director of Program Support 

4. Educational Background and Experience 

• Advanced degree such as an MBA, MPH, MHA, MD or PhD preferred
• Competent program and budget management skills for international, multi-year development projects 
• Minimum of 5 years of public health experience, including HIV&AIDS, and including work with international implementing organizations
• Experience working and networking with international donors (e.g. USAID, CDC, GFATM), major international NGOs working in the health arena; and other bilateral and multi-lateral development agencies operating in the international public health sector
• Experience in leading and working with multi-lingual and multi-cultural staff
• Knowledge of government contracting and proposal budget development
• Relevant work experience in sub-Saharan Africa or similar context
• Proven track record in business development in the international health arena including program design, proposal management, networking, partnership cultivation, and marketing an asset
• Experience in cultivating and stewardship of clients, partners and donors an asset
• Fluency in a second language (Arabic or French preferred) an asset 

5. Special Skills and Knowledge 

1. Exceptional oral and written communication, representational and presentation skills 
2. Excellent skills in facilitation, team building and coordination 
3. Comprehensive understanding of international public health issues, particularly related to chronic diseases, health systems strengthening and laboratory strengthening 
4. Experience living and working in the developing and emerging countries, particularly Africa 
5. Willingness and ability to travel up to 20%, locally and/or internationally 
6. Fluency in English and ability to work in an international environment 
7. Computer literate 
8. Results driven 

6. Competency profile 

• Political savvy 
• Strategic agility 
• Ethics and values 
• Business acumen 
• Cross–cultural agility 
• Command skills 
• Interpersonal savvy 
• Dealing with ambiguity
• Integrity and trust
• Leadership skills

7. Job Circumstances 

• Although the position is based in Abuja, it does entail substantial in country and international travel 
• Flexibility in working hours is essential