Country Director Nigeria

We are SNV
SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our CARE principles—Committed to Impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Differences, and Expertise in Practice—are at the heart of who we are and the work we do. These principles are embedded in our vision, mission, and strategy, which serve as our compass guiding us towards 2030.

To delve deeper into SNV's initiatives, explore our website at snv.org

We are currently recruiting for a Country Director Nigeria. 

• Contract: National contract – initial two-year assignment with the possibility of extension 

• Location: Abuja, with frequent travel to Lagos 

Position overview 
As Country Director, your core assignment is to build and scale SNV Nigeria's presence into a flagship country programme. You lead the growth of our portfolio by positioning SNV strongly in the market, enabling high-quality program delivery and securing funding needed to expand our impact across agri-food, energy and water.  

In this highly external role, you spend most of your time opening doors, building relationships and translate these into concrete opportunities and partnerships. As the face of SNV in Nigeria you represent the organisation at senior levels and you ensure that programs remain relevant and aligned with national priorities and global development agendas.  

You actively grow SNV's pipeline by engaging embassies, donors, public and private sector partners and financial institutions, translating partnerships into concrete opportunities, blended finance structures and donor-funded programs. You stay close to market dynamics and turn insights into strategic positioning and concrete opportunities. At the same time, you lead and guide a local team of around ten staff, providing clarity, focus, and alignment with SNV’s CARE principles and ways of working. 

Success in this role is reflected in a strong and growing pipeline, increased visibility in the market and impactful partnerships across sectors. You combine leaderships with hands-on business development, enabling both team performance and deal-making, while frequently traveling between Abuja and Lagos to strengthen private sector engagement.  

In this role, you will focus on: 

• Business development and positioning: This role is primarily focused on business development, with most of the Country Director’s time dedicated to identifying and advancing opportunities, leading proposal development and originations of flagship partnerships, and building partnerships to strengthen SNV’s pipeline and positioning. 

• Enabling team performance: Build, guide, and lead a high-performing country team, growing it in line with program expansion while providing clarity, focus, and alignment with SNV’s CARE principles and ways of working. 

• Stakeholder engagement and representation: building and maintaining strong relationships with investors/donors, partners, government actors, and private sector stakeholders, and representing SNV in key platforms and networks.  

• Programme oversight and quality: ensuring projects are delivered effectively and in line with donor requirements, with a focus on quality, impact, and continuous improvement rather than heavy operational oversight 

• Collaboration and scaling: working closely with regional and global colleagues to leverage opportunities, contribute to multi-country initiatives, and strengthen SNV’s overall positioning 

• Learning and innovation: contributing to knowledge development, evidence building, and the continuous improvement of SNV’s approaches, in collaboration with internal teams and external partners 

Your background 
You bring substantial experience in international development in Nigeria, with a solid understanding of the local context and stakeholder landscape. You have worked across governments, donors, private sector and development partners and are familiar with SNV’s sectors and thematic areas. You also bring strong experience in project management, including working with donor-funded programmes and processes. 

You have senior-level experience leading or setting up a country presence or small team and are comfortable operating in an environment where evidence-building and impact matters. Rather than managing large structures, you enable teams to perform—providing clear direction, and support to a team of around ten staff. You bring a collaborative, people-focused approach, with a strong awareness of and curiosity for diversity and inclusion, aligned with SNV’s CARE principles. 

With a strong entrepreneurial mindset, you are first and foremost a business developer. You have a proven track record in identifying opportunities, building strategic partnerships and leading successful proposals. You are experienced in working with a wide range of stakeholders, including bilateral and multilateral donors, financial institutions, impact investors and private sector partners and have demonstrated ability to mobilise resources and grow a pipeline.  

You are pragmatic, proactive and externally driven, with strong networking and influencing skills. You are comfortable in operating in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and are sensitive to the political and economic dynamics in Nigeria. You take initiative, build trust quickly and act as a credible partner to both teams and external partners. Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. 

What you bring  
To be considered for this role, you bring:  

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, or a related field, or equivalent senior commercial experience. 

• A minimum of five years of relevant leadership experience in Nigeria, ideally within international development and/or sustainable enterprises.  

• A proven track record in securing competitive funding and managing project portfolios of approximately USD 10 million. 

• Excellent communication, networking and presentation skills, with experience profiling and representing an organisation. 

• Experience in strategy and policy development within an international organisation. 

• Experience managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. 

• Strong strategic thinking, planning, and organisational skills, with the ability to work effectively in partnership networks. 

• A result‑oriented mindset and the ability to perform under pressure. 
   

Additionally, we value: 

• An entrepreneurial mindset and a track record of building something, whether a business unit, a country office, or a venture.  

• Proven success closing commercial deals, public private partnerships, or blended finance arrangements 

• Regional working experience across West Africa 

• Strong network across Nigeria's private sector, government, and donor community, with the ability to open senior-level doors 

• Gravitas and presence to represent SNV at the highest levels 

Contract Type:                                  National contract – Full‑time (40 hours per week)
Contract Duration:                            Initial two‑year assignment, with possibility of extension
Location:                                           Abuja, Nigeria
Expected Start Date:                        August/September 2026  

Working at SNV 
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority.

We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote international career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with local expertise and knowledge. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose.

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

SNV is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment and make recruitment decisions based on merit, competence, and organisational needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from under-represented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply 

If you meet the key requirements and feel inspired by this opportunity, we warmly welcome your application. Please submit your CV and motivation letter by 26th of May 2026. 

To ensure a focused and respectful recruitment process, we kindly ask that you apply only if you meet the essential qualifications and are available to work in the specified location.

If this role isn’t the right fit but you’re interested in joining SNV in the future, we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile.

Reference and vetting check

At SNV, our belief in the CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice — shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all.

As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of [two] referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for.

SNV is committed to safeguarding and to protecting children and adults from all forms of harm, with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of misconduct. As part of creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment, all staff, consultants, and partners are expected to uphold SNV’s safeguarding, child protection, ethical standards, and CARE principles. In line with these commitments — and as a participant in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will request a Statement of Conduct from your previous employer(s), covering any substantiated findings of misconduct, to ensure a recruitment process that safeguards and protect the communities we serve.