G

Deputy Country Director

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
Full-time
On-site
Country: Nigeria
Organization: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
Closing date: 12 Mar 2026

About the Role

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Deputy Country Director Nigeria, to support the Country Director in fulfilling GAIN’s vision, mission and strategy in Nigeria.

Reporting to the Country Director, the Deputy Country Director will be responsible for providing programmatic leadership to the GAIN Nigeria office, ensuring the successful design, development, implementation across all projects within the GAIN Nigeria programme portfolio. The Deputy Country Director will work with the country teams to provide proactive leadership support, coordinated guidance, and quality technical assistance whilst supporting the Country Director in fulfilling the vision and mission of the organisation in relation to its business plan.

In the absence of the Country Director, the Deputy Country Director will serve as the principal point of contact for procedural and substantive matters that affect the GAIN Nigeria office. As part of the GAIN Nigeria Senior Management Team, the postholder will collaborate with other senior leaders to ensure organisational efficiency and effectiveness is achieved at strategic level. This role will be offered on a 3 years’ fixed term contract basis, subject to availability of funding. You will be based in GAIN’s Nigeria office in Abuja, Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities include

  • Working closely with the Country Director, supporting the implementation of the business plan and maximizing impact to transforming local food systems for better nutrition
  • Supporting the Country Director in the building of a strong sourcing network and long-term pipeline of programme investments and impact grants
  • Leading the program team to conceptualize and operationalize impactful interventions to improve nutrition outcomes in Nigeria, including providing leadership in design and implementation
  • Leading and providing management support to the implementation of all projects and ensuring effective and successful delivery of the project milestones and results, ensuring an appropriate programme or project management framework in line with GAIN’s Project Management Process
  • Leading in the development of all project proposals within the framework of the country business plan and global initiatives
  • Supporting in establishing, maintaining, and improving active and regular working relationships with host government authorities, donors and partner agencies, the UN system, and local and international NGOs
  • Working with the Head of Policy and advocacy and the Head of Operations to coordinate the programmes portfolios’ financial execution and reporting
  • Coaching, guiding and mentoring leaders within programme team and the department so that they are effective as leaders and managers in managing their teams
  • Ensuring the recruitment, management and development of high performing team in line with the demands of the programmatic strategy

About You

The ideal candidate will have substantial programme management experience within the INGO/development sector (some of which must have been in a senior leadership position) leading international/economic development projects in multi-cultural environments working with and through governments, the private sector, civil society, and other partnerships in Nigeria. You will have demonstrable experience in programmes, planning, business development, grant management and oversight, with strong writing and donor reporting experience. In addition to this, you will have experience in setting up and coordinating, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment systems and processes.

The postholder will be skilled in building effective personal networks at a senior level, with a track record of successful fundraising with statutory, private and corporate donors. You will be a strong people leader, with demonstrated success in building and managing multi-disciplinary teams within a multicultural environment.

You will have an in‐depth understanding of program issues and policy work at organizational, national and international levels and a demonstrated understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development. Also, you will have broad understanding of the nutrition-food systems nexus, public health and community development.

You will be fluent in written and spoken English and in proficiency in local languages is highly desirable. In addition, you should be highly flexible and willing and able to travel in-country and overseas as and when required. A Master’ degree preferably in Nutrition, Food Science/Technology, Agriculture, Public Health, Development or related field. Candidates with a formal project management qualification is desirable.

About out Offer

The salary on offer for this role is up to NGN 40,408, 392 per annum (gross salary), depending on experience. A higher increment maybe available for candidates with exceptional experience.

GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance. We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling. GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Our working culture and environment

We provide a flexible working environment that includes a combination of home and office working opportunities through our global hybrid working policy. This encourages our staff to have a healthy work-life balance and increases staff motivation, enriches employee wellbeing, and improves performance and productivity.

All of our positions are based in one or more of GAIN’s designated offices as stated on our job advertisements. Successful candidates will be based in one of GAIN’s country offices and must have the existing right to live and work within a reasonably commutable distance of the relevant city / cities in which the role is advertised. Please note, that GAIN does not sponsor working visas and relocations. GAIN reserves the right to withdraw an offer of employment for candidates who are considered to ineligible under the above conditions during or after the recruitment process.

For more detailed information please see the attached job description. To apply, follow the "Apply Now" link. Applicants must be currently based and have the existing right to live and work in the Abuja, Nigeria region to be eligible to apply for this position. This advert closes on 12th March 2025. Early applications are encouraged.

GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.

Deputy Country Director Job Description

Our core values

GAIN is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All staff are expected to follow GAIN Values

Our commitment to safeguarding

GAIN is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where all staff, volunteers, and job applicants are treated with dignity and respect. We are also committed to safeguarding the communities we work with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, exploitation and abuse of power or trust.

Safeguarding is integral to our recruitment practices, and we have robust procedures in place to prevent any form of harm, abuse, or discrimination. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, all successful candidates will undergo thorough background checks and vetting procedures, which can include references, criminal records and terrorist finance checks where applicable, in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.

We provide comprehensive training and support to our staff and volunteers and associates to raise awareness of safeguarding issues and ensure they are equipped to recognise and respond to concerns effectively.

By applying for a position with GAIN, you agree to uphold our safeguarding principles and contribute to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all individuals.

How to apply

Apply Here: CAREERS @ GAIN