Operational Support Officer– Nigeria – M/F

ALIMA, the international medical NGO with a human face, which places at the heart of its model the co-construction of projects and professional paths

The ALIMA SPIRIT: ALIMA’s purpose is to save lives and care for the most vulnerable populations, without any discrimination based on identity, religion or politics, through actions based on proximity, innovation and the alliance of organizations and individuals. We act with humanism, impartiality and respect for universal medical ethics. In order to access patients, we are committed to intervening in a neutral and independent manner.

THE VALUES and PRINCIPLES of our action, inscribed in our CHARTER :

1. Patient First – Patient centered medical care
2. Revolutionizing humanitarian medicine through research
3. Responsibility and freedom: encourage decision-making by those closest to patients
4. Commitment to a dynamic of continuous quality improvement
5. Creating a climate of trust among colleagues
6. Collective intelligence
7. Environmental liability

ALIMA promotes and defends the principles of fundamental human rights. ALIMA has a zero-tolerance approach to perpetrators of gender-based and sexual violence and to inaction in the face of suspected or actual violence. The protection of those who benefit and are impacted by our intervention is our top priority in everything we do. Everyone who collaborates with ALIMA is committed to :

• Respect the charter, the code of conduct, the institutional policies including the policy of protection against abuse of power and gender and sexual violence, the policy of prevention of corruption and fraud;
• Report violations of policies, framework documents and procedures to a supervisor, manager or referral agent or to referent.

CARING – INNOVATING – TOGETHER :

Since its creation in 2009, ALIMA has treated more than 10 million patients and is now operating in 12 African countries. In 2021, we developed more than 60 humanitarian medical response projects to address the needs of populations affected by conflict, epidemics and extreme poverty. All of these projects support national health authorities through 357 health structures (including 45 hospitals and 312 health centres). We work in partnership, including with local NGOs, as soon as possible to ensure that our patients benefit from the expertise where it is located, whether at the country level or the rest of the world. In addition, to improve the humanitarian response, we are conducting operational and clinical research projects, in particular to combat malnutrition and viral hemorrhagic fevers.

ALIMA’S TEAM:

More than 2,000 people currently work for ALIMA. The field teams, closest to the patients, receive their support from the coordination teams generally based in the capital of the countries of intervention. They receive support from the 4 desk teams and the team of the emergency department and openings based at the operational headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. The teams in Paris and New York are actively working on raising funds and representing ALIMA. The rest of the ALIMA Galaxy includes individuals and partner teams who work on behalf of other organizations such as BEFEN Medical NGOs, Health Alert, SOS Doctors, KEOOGO, AMCP-SP, PAC-research organizationsCI, Inserm, the Universities of Bordeaux or Copenhagen, the NGO Solidarités International and many others.

COUNTRIES WHERE WE WORK IN 2020: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Chad, Ukraine.

THE WORK WE DO covers: Malnutrition, Maternal Health, Primary Health, Paediatrics, Malaria, Epidemics (Ebola, Cholera, Measles, Coronavirus, Lassa Fever), Research, Hospitalization, Emergencies, Gender-based Violence, vaccinations, mental health, etc. ).

DONOR AND GRANTS DEPARTMENT

The vast majority of ALIMA’s programs are financed by donors: institutional donors, United Nations agencies, cooperations, private foundations… Our main donors are ECHO, BHA, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, UNICEF, WFP, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation… ALIMA also carries out projects in consortium with international NGOs and other partners or research institutes.

Many of our donors and partners have representatives in the field, so the relationship with them is built directly from the ALIMA country offices. Project financing, and therefore fundraising, is the responsibility of the mission, with the support of the operations and support teams in Dakar.

An Operational Support Officer is present in each country, and all Operations Support Officers collaborate and form a team to contribute to the development of ALIMA and its projects. At headquarters, a dedicated department supports the operational teams in their relations with donors, particularly in monitoring calls for proposals, contractual follow-up, and official communication with the various donors.

This department is part of the Operations Department and is made up of a Donor Relations Manager and a Donor Advisor for each geographical desk.

ALIMA also has a Development Department, based in Paris, Dakar, and New York, in charge of fundraising with private donors and foundations.

ALIMA in NIGERIA

ALIMA has been present in Nigeria since 2016. Its actions are part of a regional response strategy to health and nutrition emergencies, with a focus on pediatric, maternal-infant and epidemic interventions. ALIMA is present in North-East Nigeria in Borno State (MMC and Jere LGAs) and in Yobe State (Bade and Karasuwa LGAs) where it provides outpatient and inpatient healthcare and nutrition services for IDPs and host communities. In North-West Nigeria, ALIMA is in Katsina State (Kaita LGA) to respond to increased nutritional needs. ALIMA is present in the South-West, in Ondo State (Owo LGA) where teams are treating patients for Lassa fever and conducting research into improved treatment.

In Borno state, ALIMA ensures outpatient and inpatient access to nutrition services, as well as outpatient health care in MMC and Jere LGAs. From the beginning of the project in May 2021 until September 2022, ALIMA delivered 83 656 OPD consultations and treated 11 932 SAM cases without complications at the OTP level. 5 585 deliveries were conducted, and 2 543 mental health consultations were delivered. ALIMA also provides inpatient care for SAM cases with complications within 3 stabilization centres (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital -UMTH, Gwange II, and Fatima Ali Sherrif – in MMC).

In Yobe state, ALIMA supports 5 Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) – Waro, Jajeri, Jajimaji, K. Garun Guna and K. Galu – since May 2021 for nutrition and health care. ALIMA also provides inpatient care for SAM cases with complications within its 45 beds stabilization center located in Gashua General Hospital, Bade LGA. ALIMA also support hospitalization for children under five in Jajimaji.

In Katsina state, ALIMA ensures since August 2021 the provision of outpatient and inpatient nutrition and healthcare services for children under 5. ALIMA currently delivers OPD consultations, and supports the ambulatory management and referral of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases in 5 Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in Kaita LGA: Dankama, Sabon Birni (Ba’awa ward), Dankaba, Zabakau (Gafiya ward), Matsai. ALIMA also ensures inpatient healthcare and provides care for SAM cases with complications within its 110 beds stabilisation centre located in Kaita CHC. From the beginning of the project in August 2021 until September 2022, ALIMA treated 2 767 SAM cases with complications at the ITFC level and 30 686 SAM cases without complications at the OTP level. ALIMA also delivered 32 792 OPD consultations for children under 5, while 4 693 were hospitalized at the inpatient department of Kaita CHC.

In Ondo State, ALIMA has been supporting the NCDC and the State Ministry of Health with case management, active case detection, patient triage, public awareness campaigns, and reinforcement of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures among health workers in the different hospital structures of Ondo State. In addition to prevention and case management, ALIMA is currently participating in the coordination of several studies to better understand the disease, including an observational cohort study (LASCOPE) to describe the clinical, biological course, management and outcomes of hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of confirmed Lassa fever and a phase II clinical trial (SAFARI) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Favipiravir.

POST TYPOLOGY

Mission Location:

• Operational Support Officer – Mission Location: Nigeria – Abuja

Management lines :

Direct Line Manager : Head of Mission

Technical Referent : Desk Grants Manager

PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Level 3: As part of his/her duties, the job holder will visit programs and come into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, a criminal record check or a certificate of good conduct will be required. In situations where the impossibility of providing a criminal record or a certificate of good conduct is found, a declaration of honor will be requested.

MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

The Operational Support Officer is responsible for fundraising and contract management for the country, reporting to the Head of Mission.

He/she is responsible for the contractual management of donor contracts and the production of narrative reports according to contractual requirements, supported by the financial coordinator for financial management, the head of mission for operations, and the medical coordinator for medical activities.

He/she ensures the search for new funding for projects and ensures the production of concept notes and project proposals by the operational strategy.

He/she maintains an in-depth knowledge of the strategies, activities, and opportunities of donors and other stakeholders in the country.

Major Responsibilities:

• Ensure the search for funding and the development of project proposals

The Operational Support Officer develops a funding strategy and conducts an active search for funding from donors present in the country. He/she monitors donor strategies and current and future policies in the country, as well as the humanitarian context, to maintain a high level of information and understanding of the issues. On the other hand, he/she has a thorough knowledge of the operations conducted by ALIMA and analyses with the coordination team the current and future funding gaps.

• Ensure the production of concept notes and project proposals

To obtain funding, the Operations Support Officer develops project proposals, with the coordination team providing operational, medical, financial, etc… He/She ensures the writing of Concept Notes and project proposals to respond to opportunities with donors and develops project sheets and leaflets to ensure institutional communication throughout the year. He/She ensures that the documents produced are in line with the strategy and format of the donor, and are of perfect formal quality.

• Support data monitoring and tracking to meet reporting requirements :

The Operational Support Officer must develop and incorporate robust monitoring and tracking elements into reports, so he or she participates with the data manager in the monitoring and compilation of operational data shared monthly with the desk.

• Support the Project Coordinators in monitoring contractual requirements

The Operational Support Officer supports the Project Coordinators to give them the keys to mobilize resources from funding contracts according to operational needs and respect the contractual requirements of the donors. The Operational Support Officer maintains a high level of information on operational developments, including a budget, to propose contractual modifications if necessary.

• Ensure the production of accurate and analytical narrative reports within the defined timeframe.

The Operational Support Officer is responsible for the preparation of interim and final reports for donors, according to the imposed reporting formats and rules. He/she is directly responsible for drafting the documents, based on accurate quantitative and qualitative information capitalized during the year. He/she establishes regular liaison with the coordinators and project managers and, for the preparation of the reports, links the commitments with the donor and the reality of the projects and the land.

• Maintain relationships with donors and partners in the country

The Operational Support Officer is in regular contact with the representatives of the various donors, United Nations agencies, and international NGOs to ensure that these actors have a good knowledge of ALIMA and the projects implemented, and to keep an active watch on the various developments in the institutional context and particular funding opportunities

• Ensure the contractual management of funding contracts

The Operational Support Officer is responsible for monitoring funding contracts with donors. He/she is in direct contact with the donor’s national representatives for contractual management issues. He/she ensures that the donor’s procedures are known and respected by the rest of the team. To this end, he/she has a common contract monitoring tool and technical sheets for each donor, which he/she helps to update.

• Ensure the application of standards in the prevention of abuse

The Operational Support Officer must participate in training and awareness sessions. He/she applies the abuse prevention standards in all the tasks he/she undertakes (e.g. adding the theme in reports, project proposals, the clause on abuse prevention, etc.). He/she contributes to creating and maintaining a nurturing and protective environment.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

– Advanced degree (Master’s level or equivalent) related to the position (development studies, public health, international relations, project management…)

– Excellent level of written and spoken English and French

– Good command of project management tools (project cycle, logical framework, project proposals, reporting, etc.)

– Professional experience in reporting, project design, and/or management, in an international solidarity organization (NGO, association, etc.) or UN agency or donor agency

– The first experience in expatriation is a plus

– Excellent analytical, synthesis, and writing skills

– Autonomy, ability to take initiative, ability to work in a team, and to communicate

– Thoroughness, motivation, willingness to achieve project support objectives

– Understanding of and commitment to ALIMA’s values and mission

CONDITIONS

Duration and type of contract: French contract: 6 months renewable

Starting position : Asap

Salary: according to ALIMA scale + experience + per diem

ALIMA supports :

● travel expenses between the expatriate’s home country and the place of assignment

● accommodation costs

● 2.08 days off per month

● daily per diem

● medical coverage from the first day of the contract to one month after the date of departure from the country of assignment for the employee and his/her dependents

● the break policy every 3 months (for 6 months of the mission)

● evacuation for the employee.