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MCC Representatives for Nigeria

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking.

MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

MCC Representatives for Nigeria in Jos, Plateau State

Term: 
4-6 Years
Date Opened: 
September 21, 2011
Date Required: 
June 1, 2012

 

Synopsis: 

The representative oversees all aspects of the MCC Nigeria program. This includes building on annual and strategic program direction/planning, budgeting, developing and supporting national staff and expatriate volunteers, developing and overseeing partnership relationships/grants and the provision of other kinds of technical and PME&R (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting) support, and maintaining key relationships and networks. An additional key function is keeping the MCC Nigeria planning and reporting database up-to-date. This position can be held by one person or shared by spouses.

 

Qualifications: 

Required for All Rep Positions:

Minimum Education Level: BA or equivalent

Minimum Experience: International experience and MCC experience preferred

Skills:
· Relational Skills: Ability to form, foster and maintain positive, working relationships with MCC service workers, MCC staff, local churches and MCC partners, building trust by demonstrating integrity in actions and communications and modeling the values of the organization
· Supervisory Skills: Ability to manage/supervise personnel, which includes staff appointments and terminations, performance appraisals, interpreting and enforcing policies, conflict resolutions/problem solving and development of staff (in cooperation with the Human Resources Department)
· Computer Literacy: Ability to use email programs, navigate the internet, locate resources, use Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to navigate and use MCC specific databases for the purpose of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and recording
· Adaptability: Ability to adapt as needed to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations and with diverse individuals and groups
· Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making
· Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop, implement, evaluate and adjust plans to reach goals, ensuring the optimal use of resources
· Initiative: Ability to be proactive and persistent in efforts, identifying opportunities and needs then taking action for resolution
· Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals, taking actions that respect the needs and contributions of others
· Communication: Ability to listen, to model open communication and foster good will among others
· Self-awareness: Ability to understand one’s own emotional framework, maintain a non-defensive posture and manage personal reactivity when leadership is challenged
· Cross cultural/multi-cultural awareness. Ability to work with issues of equity in a cross-cultural setting
· Financial Management. Ability to successfully manage MCC resources within a country program.
· Program, Monitoring and Evaluation. Ability to understand and implement Program, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results based management.

For this Specific Assignment:

Minimum Education Level: Bachelor’s degree in social science, development or peace building/conflict transformation

Minimum Experience: Three-five years’ international experience with MCC or similar organization.

Skills:
  • Proven ability to maintain resiliency and ability to work in occasionally highly unstable situations.
  • Ability/willingness to learn a new language (Hausa).
  • Understanding of result-based management in development.
  • Training/experience in interfaith peace building/conflict transformation
  • Organizational Awareness: An understanding of the structure and organizational culture of large non-profit organizations, such as MCC, and ability to work successfully within the structure to achieve results
  • Creativity and Innovation: Ability to generate new approaches and viable solutions
  • Development of Others: Ability to foster worker development by providing a supportive learning environment
  • Partnering: Ability to seek and build alliances that further MCC objectives and benefit all people
  • Conflict Resolution: Ability to bring conflict and dissent between others into the open to arrive at constructive solution while maintaining positive relationships with all parties
  • Risk Taking: Ability to identify, assess and manage risk while striving to attain objectives
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand and process complex information and exercise sound judgment, considering the situation, the issues and the key players. Is able to propose course(s) of action that further the objectives, priorities and vision of the program and/or MCC
  • Team Leadership: Assumes a leadership role in helping others achieve excellent results
  • Writing Skills: Can communicate ideas and information in writing to ensure that information and messages are understood and have the desired impact

 

Assignment Description: 

This position is responsible for overseeing the MCC Nigeria program with a strategic focus viewing all its partnerships and personnel placements through a peace and interfaith bridge building lens and seeks to work with community-based partners who value sustainability, increased capacity and mutual learning. The MCC Nigeria program is currently has two national program staff, but is positioned to grow in future years. The program currently includes work in HIV/AIDS, income generation, literacy, water, peace building, trauma healing and interfaith bridge building.
The MCC Nigeria Representative is supervised by the MCC Central West Africa Associate Area Director, based in Abuja, Nigeria. Communication with the supervisor is primarily conducted through electronic means (e-mail and phone) as well as several visits a year. The MCC Nigeria Administrative Team is comprised of the Representative(s) and Business Manager. The MCC Reps make decisions in consultation with the Business Manager, the MCC Nigeria Advisory Group, and others as appropriate. A participatory, consensus building decision-making model is desired.

 

Duties: 

1. MCC Vision and Mission. Be the carrier/communicator of institutional identity in relationship to
  • local partners, church, government, other international NGOs
  • MCC workers: Nurture understanding of and respect for MCC values and witness; reflect upon and communicate the spirituality of the team.
  • By attending CWARM (Central West Africa Regional Meetings) for support and networking/ collaboration
  • Mennonite Church of Nigeria and the local Christian community
2. Oversight of Country Program. Direct and oversee implementation of regional priorities and country-specific strategies. Oversee the day to day operations of the MCC Nigeria office (delegating to the Business Manager and secretary-receptionist where appropriate)
  • oversee responding to a significant amount of emails
  • preparing reports
  • sending updates to staff, partners and supervisor
  • maintaining documentation
  • Select, build, maintain and strengthen relationships with partner
  • Prepare and administer long-term country strategies
  • Plan, monitor, report and evaluate projects
  • Facilitate, coordinate and respond to disasters, including those that generate unexpected additional resources and require shifts in focus of time/energy and requiring development of immediate and/or short term plans
  • Understand and ensure compliance with local laws
  • Coordinate and strengthen local advisory committees
3. Management of MCC Resources
  • Prepare, monitor and evaluate annual goals and objectives in the context of a multi-year strategic plan
  • Prepare and monitor budgets in accordance with strategic and annual plans and in alignment with Financial Management Policies
  • Develop and monitor financial record-keeping and reporting, taking corrective action where needed
  • Develop and maintain lists of inventories of equipment, including computers, vehicles, etc. along with replacement plans
  • Maintain and update registration documents in respective countries
  • Ensure resource stewardship across the country
  • Prepare and monitor project reporting
  • Receive and respond to worker reports
  • Ensure maintenance of personnel records and other documents for MCC Records and Archives
  • Manage Material Resources distribution as needed.
4. Select, supervise, and motivate MCC workers: International Service Workers and National staff
  • Negotiate suitable service assignments and write assignment descriptions
  • Select highly qualified service workers and national staff using predetermined criteria based on job content and organizational values
  • Provide orientation for new workers, including language study
  • Create an environment where all individuals are comfortable openly addressing concerns/opinions
  • Ensure spiritual, emotional and professional support for workers
  • Monitor relationships between workers and partners with whom they work
  • Implement MCC Human Resource policies and assist in policy interpretation for workers
  • Conduct timely performance appraisals and End-of-Term reports for service workers
  • Ensure workers’ compliance with MCC values and witness
  • Develop and/or monitor compensation, benefits and policies for national staff
  • Ensure MCC Nigeria employment policies are implemented properly and they correspond to relevant Nigerian law.
5. Teambuilding: build and maintain MCC personnel team
  • Clarify team expectations regularly
  • Monitor team relationships
  • Lead team in decision making
  • Demonstrates skill in resolving difficult situations, drawing on a variety of resources
  • Organizing and leading team meetings and an annual retreat
6. Hospitality: arrange for hospitality as needed
  • MCC program and support staff, as well as MCC constituents from North America
  • Others who are travelling in the country and who are interested in the work of MCC
7. Represent the Country to MCC and Constituents
  • Cultivate and maintain awareness of the political, economic, social, cultural, and historical contexts of the country/region
  • Provide information about the situation, needs and resources of the country/region to the Associate /Area Directors and others within MCC and to MCC constituency
8. Relate to the local church
  • Maintain good relationships with local Anabaptist churches by: minimally visiting churches and church leaders, attending their annual meetings, and including their representatives on advisory committees.
  • Regular attendance at a local congregation

 

Location Description: 

Jos, Plateau State, central Nigeria. Travel is minimal but may increase depending on the location of future program development. Travel is by MCC vehicle, public transportation, and occasionally by airplane.

Plateau State is 4000+ feet above sea level with a moderate, delightful climate. The rainy season extends from April through September and dry season goes from October through March. During the dry season a three month period of harmattan means dust blows off the Sahara and brings cooler weather and dusty conditions.
Plateau State has been marked by periodic unrest since September 2001 and violent, significant conflict took place in November 2008, January 2010 and late December/early 2011. Although there may be periods of calm, the state is volatile and the tension (and underlying injustices) persists. Insecurity and violence is a factor impacting program operation and personal safety. The MCC workers depend on national partners/friends who know the situation well to give them cues. Insecure areas are usually localized. MCCers and Nigerian friends are a source of mutual support.

Jos is home to many major mission organization headquarters and Nigerian-based church denominations. Its population is approximately 40% Muslim and 60% Christian.
Leading strategic issues in Nigeria are: poverty/economic instability; political, religious and ethnic tensions; crumbling social institutions and infrastructure (education, health care, electricity, water and roads); environmental degradation; and corruption.

The MCC House where the Reps live is on the Nigerian Bible Translation Trust (NBTT) compound is well equipped and a few miles from Jos’s center. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available year round, and supermarkets and general markets provide a wide supply of local and imported products. Medical care available for minor health challenges is adequate. MCCers use Bingham University Teaching Hospital operated by ECWA (Evangelical Church of West Africa) and SIM (Serving in Missions) or Christian Medical Centre. Hillcrest School is an American Christian international school just minutes away from the MCC house.

 

Challenges: 
Representatives and MCC workers live with a certain level of instability/insecurity. This relates to both the general situation of Plateau State in which Jos is located, but also the increase in crime due to high unemployment and economic hardships. Driving in Nigeria is a risk managed by keeping vehicles well maintained and driving defensively.

As team administrators, it’s important to provide places to debrief concerns and to remain connected to Nigerians who understand the situation on the ground. A thoughtful, working theology of risk and suffering will help provide internal and spiritual stability during difficult times. It is also important to be ready for crisis and to know what steps will be taken in order to facilitate the safety of team members.

Malaria, typhoid and gastro-intestinal parasites are common problems but mostly preventable as well with prophylactic medication. Self-care and a balanced life style will go a long way in staying healthy.
Establishing and strengthening healthy relationships with the Mennonite Church in the south of Nigeria remains a priority and challenge for the Representatives. Over a 50-year history, the church has tended to focus on the relationship as donor/recipient but a more collaborative and mutual relationship is the goal.

Another challenge is the ease with which one can be assimilated into the expatriate community. MCCers are encouraged to build their primary relationships and support system among Nigerian colleagues, neighbors and friends. Learning Hausa, the local trade language, even though English is the country’s national language, can go a long way in helping develop relationships and camaraderie with Nigerians.