Country Program Coordinator (Expatriate Position) at Malteser International

Borno

Country Program Coordinator (Expatriate Position)

A Call to Action: Strategic Leadership in Humanitarian Development

In volatile contexts like Northeast Nigeria, effective humanitarian response demands visionary, highly organized program leadership that transforms crisis into opportunity. This pivotal position is mission-critical, tasked with steering strategic program direction, ensuring programmatic quality, and securing the resources needed to sustain life-saving interventions. By championing best practices in accountability, learning, and compliance, this leader will directly enhance the resilience of displacement-affected populations and strengthen the integrity of our development work across the nation.

Job Summary

This senior leadership role is responsible for the strategic oversight and coordinated management of Malteser International’s entire program cycle in Nigeria, spanning current operations in the Northeast and future expansion areas. The incumbent will serve as the primary driver of high-quality program design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL), ensuring all projects are evidence-based, adhere to rigorous international standards, and meet all donor and government compliance expectations. Success in this position means translating our organizational mission into impactful and financially sustainable humanitarian programming.

Key Responsibilities

The Country Program Coordinator provides comprehensive leadership and management across four main areas:

I. Strategic Direction and Resource Mobilization

  • Provide senior leadership and set the strategic direction for MI’s country-level program strategies and operational plans.
  • Support the Country Director in developing robust resource mobilization strategies, proactively gathering intelligence on external actors and positioning the organization to attract new project funding.
  • Lead technical engagement with key donors and institutional partners to strategically pre-position the organization for future funding opportunities.
  • Continuously monitor the evolving humanitarian situation across Nigeria to proactively identify emerging needs and recommend timely, appropriate actions.

II. Program Design, Quality, and Compliance

  • Lead the development of high-quality project designs, implementation plans, and MEAL methodologies appropriate for the scope, context, and technical requirements of the sector (WASH, Protection, MHPSS).
  • Ensure all country program plans align precisely with grant agreements, proposal narratives, and logical frameworks.
  • Guarantee strict adherence to international humanitarian standards, including SPHERE, IASC, and Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), coordinating closely with sectoral teams.
  • Balance and reconcile the various demands and requests from external partners, donors, the country team, and HQ to ensure quality results are consistently delivered.

III. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

  • Establish robust systems for program monitoring, quality improvement, accountability, evaluation, and integrated learning.
  • Ensure regular, meaningful data collection and analysis, and disseminate strategic information promptly to the Coordination/Senior Management Team and other relevant staff to drive learning and improve program quality.
  • Oversee the effective collaboration between MEAL staff, technical advisors, and thematic specialists in developing coherent log frames, performance indicators, and monitoring tools.
  • Ensure high-quality program evaluations are conducted and that recommendations resulting from these evaluations and global technical support are implemented in a timely manner.

IV. Management, Partnership, and Representation

  • Collaborate with the Head of Administration to support oversight of program budgets, resource utilization, and inputs for budget controls and procurement planning.
  • Lead the production of comprehensive, high-quality narrative reports and ensure timely submission of complete reports (including financial components).
  • Effectively manage team performance and dynamics across the program team, ensuring appropriate staffing capacity in line with MI’s strategic trajectory and standards.
  • Lead engagement and development of local partnerships, including identification, agreement management, oversight, and capacity building strategies.
  • Reinvigorate Malteser International’s representation with relevant government authorities, technical forums, donors, and other stakeholders, promoting MI objectives in coordination with the Country Director.

Candidate Profile: Required Skills and Experience

Essential Qualifications

  • A Master’s Degree in a relevant field such as Social Science, Development Studies, NGO Management, Human Rights, or an equivalent discipline.
  • A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive senior management and/or program development experience within a corporate or international NGO setting.
  • Demonstrated strong skills and proven success in new program development, strategic project design, and securing funding from corporate, foundation, and institutional donors.
  • Extensive experience in leading strategic planning, organizational change management, and comprehensive program management processes.
  • Proven capacity for designing, developing, and managing robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems.
  • Experience working collaboratively with high-level government agencies and academic institutions on complex international humanitarian programs.
  • Strong ability to cope and perform effectively in stressful or hostile work environments, with a willingness to travel frequently to deep field locations and partner sites.

Key Competencies and Characteristics

  • Excellent strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to grasp the ‘big picture’ and make sound judgments.
  • Exceptional listening, inter-personal, communication, and networking skills for effective engagement with diverse populations and external stakeholders.
  • Proven leadership abilities and the capacity to effectively manage and motivate multi-cultural and multi-talented teams.
  • High level of self-awareness and a proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented approach to challenges.
  • Commitment to the core values and standards of Malteser International.

About the Organization

Malteser International has established a dedicated presence in Nigeria since 2017, focusing intensely on immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts in vulnerable regions, particularly Borno State. Our core focus centers on the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector, aiming to significantly improve the daily lives of both Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and their host communities through sustainable infrastructure. We employ comprehensive solutions, such as the solarization of boreholes and the construction of safe sanitation facilities, while promoting essential hygiene behaviors through a holistic, inclusive, and gender-sensitive approach. We are deeply committed to fostering resilience and self-reliance among those affected by conflict and crisis.

Position Logistics and Application Instructions

Detail Information
Job Title Country Program Coordinator (Expatriate)
Location Maiduguri, Borno State (Frequent field travel, including to Abuja)
Contract Duration 9 Months (with possibility of extension)
Anticipated Start Date January 2026
Compensation Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Deadline Not Specified

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application via the organization’s dedicated online portal.

Action Required:

Please ensure your application package clearly highlights your senior management experience, strategic planning abilities, and proven track record in securing and managing large institutional grants within the humanitarian sector.