COOPI is looking for a Head of Mission in Niger
COUNTRY: Niger
ROLE: Head of Mission
LOCATION: Niamey
DATE OF TAKING OFFICE: July 2026
DURATION: 12 months (renewable)
REQUIRED: Min. 7 years
GROSS SALARY RANGE: 4,000 - 5,500 (monthly)
DEADLINE: 06-07-2026
COOPI has been present in Niger since 2012 with a coordination office in Niamey, and field bases in Diffa, Agadez, Tahoua, Maradi, and Tillabéry. Currently, COOPI is working in the Diffa region in the sectors of protection, mental health, in Agadez in mixed migration with the management of huts and psychosocial support for refugees and migrants, in the regions of Tillabéry and Tahoua with interventions in the field of nutrition/health MHPSS and DRR, in Maradi with health/nutrition interventions. The main donors are ECHO, the Swiss Cooperation, the FHRAOC, the Italian Cooperation (AICS), and the United Nations agencies (UNHCR, IOM, PBF), BHA.
Purpose of the position
The Head of Mission is responsible for the management of the office abroad in its various aspects: mission development, staff management and training, budget sustainability, security, compliance with COOPI and donor procedures. He represents COOPI in its relations with all local and international realities. Collaborates with the Country Administrator and the Country Program Coordinator. At the regional level, he/she collaborates with the Area Manager, the Operations Manager and the Regional Administrator in the definition of the country strategy and intervention priorities. It guarantees the proper implementation of projects.
Responsibilities
REPRESENTATION
- Represent COOPI in the country of competence, in institutional relations with the various bodies, partners and local and international organizations;
- Manage relationships with key institutional donors for ongoing and potential projects
- Ensure the organization's participation in local safety meetings;
- He is responsible for the image of the organization in the country
DEVELOPMENT
- Verify and propose to the regional coordination, in agreement with the national levels concerned, the priorities for action to consolidate the organization's possibilities of intervention in the country;
- Participate in the definition of the national strategy and supervise data collection (projects and coordination) for programming and planning
MANAGEMENT
Project Management
- Oversee the drafting, writing and preparation of documentation necessary for the submission of new projects, including budgets, reporting to the Regional Coordination and Support Offices at headquarters;
- Supervise the activities carried out by the project managers, ensuring their proper execution in compliance with contractual constraints and donor procedures, as well as COOPI's management procedures and standards;
- The incumbent is responsible for the good quality of project reports and the preparation of follow-up documents required by headquarters;
- Ensure the transmission to headquarters of all official and administrative documents relating to projects.
Management of offices abroad
- He is responsible for the various aspects related to the management of the local site: local regulations, safety plans, organizational chart, logistics;
- Ensure compliance with the legal and administrative rules of the host country;
- Has a power of attorney for the legal signing of documents and accounts.
Personnel Management
- It is responsible for the management of the country's national staff, in accordance with the laws of the country;
- Participates, upon request, in the selection of expatriate staff in accordance with the organization's procedures;
- Participates in information, training and evaluation activities for national and expatriate staff;
- Coordinates and supervises the management of expatriate staff employed in the country.
Security Management
- He is responsible for the security of expatriate and national staff present in the country, information, training, implementation and compliance with security procedures.
- Economic and financial management
- It is co-responsible - with the regional coordination - for the country's budget, sustainability and economic performance.
- Communication management and fundraising
- Collaborates with the Corporate Communications and Fundraising Units at Headquarters for visibility, communication, outreach and fundraising activities (campaigns, remote support) for the country of competence.
Candidate Profile
Essential
- University degree in relevant subjects;
- A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience is required;
- At least 5 years of proven and successful experience in similar positions in the field of humanitarian assistance and international development;
- Proven skills in effective communication (oral and written), negotiation, simultaneous management of several tasks and organization;
- Experience in dealing with governmental/local authorities, international organizations (IOs) and NGOs;
- Proven ability to work in stressful and pressured environments;
- Experience working in conflict contexts (preferred;
- Proven ability to manage a team (essential);
- Excellent writing skills and knowledge of the Office package;
- Fluent knowledge of the French language.
Desirable
- Previous work experience in Niger (plus);
- Experience in logistics, procurement and security;
- Previous experience with COOPI and knowledge of its procedures and tools;
- Experience in managing complex consortia/partnerships.
COOPI reserves the right to close a recruitment before the expiry date of the advertisement. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis and the position will be closed as soon as it is filled, thank you for your understanding.
COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is a secular and independent Italian humanitarian organization that fights against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, COOPI is now present in 27 countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East, with emergency and development projects led by expatriate staff – on average more than 200 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional donors are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian government, local authorities and other European governments.