NIGERIA CAPACITY BUILDING COORDINATOR *Located in ABUJA, NIGERIA *

The successful applicant will be hired through a contractor (METI Inc.) to work with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs on international natural resource projects.

Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs (IP), may require the services of a part-time Capacity Building Coordinator to help administer a U.

S. government (USG)-funded program based in Abuja, Nigeria.

Background

The USFS, with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID / BHA), first launched the Nigeria Emergency Management program in 2016 at the request of Nigerian government.

Initially focused on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Northeast Nigeria, the program expanded nationwide by 2018 to promote best practices in emergency management.

From 2018 to 2022, the program offered training on the Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Operations / Coordination Centers (EOC / ECC), and Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC), aligning with the US-based National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Despite a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program aimed to develop Incident Support Teams and Master Trainers within NEMA and state-level emergency management agencies (SEMAs).

Activities resumed in August 2022 with foundational training for NEMA and SEMA, continuing with back-to-back sessions in September 2023, despite challenges such as the partial closing of the US Embassy.

In early 2023, discussions with USAID / BHA led to the realization that the program needed realignment. This culminated in a Nigerian Emergency Management Program Design Workshop in March 2024, bringing together key stakeholders from USFS, USAID BHA, NEMA, SEMA, and international organizations.

The workshop aimed to refine emergency management programs for FY24-FY29, fostering collaboration and coordination among agencies to enhance program effectiveness and address evolving needs.

Currently, the plan includes establishing a technical working group to guide program oversight and engage with key stakeholders, along with a comprehensive review of existing NEMA and SEMA policies to identify gaps for developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that enhance coordination.

Additionally, training workshops will be organized to exercise SOPs and strengthen Emergency Operations Center (EOC) structures.

A cohort model for Incident Support Teams (ISTs) will focus on exercise-based learning of ICS principles, tailored to local disaster management needs, while integrating a module on the intersection of ICS and humanitarian principles into training.

Finally, regular stakeholder convenings will be facilitated by USAID / BHA to improve program visibility and coordination among stakeholders.

Position Description

In collaboration with the USFS International Programs (IP) office in Washington, DC, the USFS Nigeria Capacity Building Coordinator (The Coordinator) will support the design, implementation, reporting and management of activities with partners in-country.

The Coordinator will work with colleagues from the Government of Nigeria, USFS, USAID and other partner organizations and serve as the in-country representative.

The Coordinator will manage short-term technical advisors from the USFS who will contribute their expertise to these initiatives over the tenure of the project.

The Coordinator will be based in Abuja and travel, as necessary, within Nigeria in support of program development and implementation.

The Coordinator will also contribute to the development of additional programming in Nigeria, by carrying out relevant stakeholder outreach and assessments.

The consultant will manage logistical tasks such as coordinating meetings, handling local procurements, and providing logistical support for program activities and training.

The Coordinator will report to the US Forest Service Program Manager for Nigeria and will work closely with USFS colleagues based across the United States.

The Coordinator will also work with colleagues from partner disaster preparedness and response institutions (e.g., governmental and non-governmental institutions, development partners and relevant development partner-supported projects) on a continuous basis.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications :

• Bachelor's and / or Advanced Degree in disaster, humanitarian or crisis management, or related discipline. Relevant professional experience may serve as a substitute for degree qualifications.
• Demonstrated experience in managing field-based project implementation, preferably in emergency management, in Nigeria.
• Familiarity with USG Agencies operating in Nigeria and their programming (e.g. USAID, US Embassy).
• Possess a network of contacts in the emergency management sector.
• Demonstrated ability to provide timely and high-quality deliverables (including written reports and analyses).
• A track record of working effectively across diverse (national and international) stakeholder groups.
• Ability to travel nationally in support of activity execution, including at times extended field-based missions.
• Ability to be resourceful and proactive as well as to communicate openly and effectively with partners and team members.
• Knowledge and policy level experience in US disaster management systems including the NIMS, Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and / or the National Response Framework (NRF).
• Policy level experience in incident management, emergency management or disaster field operations with a government or non-governmental organization.
• Ability to review and analyze existing policy doctrine and guidance and recommend modifications to improve national level disaster management systems.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours to accommodate international time zones.
• Comfort with ambiguity and adaptable to sometimes unpredictable circumstances.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Coordinator include, but are not limited to :

• Provide oversight to and hands-on management of USFS supported activities in Nigeria.
• Support the development, implementation oversight and reporting, for USFS-led activities in Nigeria.
• Coordinate and support meetings, trainings, events, consultants and key disaster management partnerships related to the implementation of USFS activities in Nigeria.
• Provide support and oversight to consultants and advisors brought on by USFS to assist in implementation of activities in Nigeria.
• Coordinate and support technical working group, in coordination with other partners in Nigeria, specifically NEMA and SEMA.
• Liaise with USAID / BHA Nigeria, the US Embassy in Abuja, as needed for efficient and effective program implementation.
• Finalize work plans and reports in a timely and thorough manner.
• Work with USFS / IP Washington in the recruitment and scheduling of short-term technical advisors who will contribute skills and expertise to the initiative.
• Provide technical and logistical support to short-term USFS technical advisors on mission to Nigeria

Oversight and Reporting

The Coordinator shall report to the US Forest Service Program Manager for Nigeria at the USFS / IP Africa & Middle East office, who will provide regular evaluation and guidance.

Period of Performance : Part-time for one year, with possibility of extension

Location of Work : Abuja, Nigeria, with occasional travel in country

Compensation : Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Timeline : Apply by August 18, 2024

If the US Forest Service were to secure the services of an individual with these technical skills, the successful applicant would be hired through a contractor.

Interested candidates should apply at https : / / jobs.localjobnetwork.com / j / 80324242 OR send a resume and letter of interest to the HR Department at METI to IPJOBS@meticorp.

com with " USFS Nigeria Capacity Building Coordinator" in the subject line.