Driver at Helen Keller International (HKI)

Helen Keller International (HKI) - Established in 1915, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States.

HKI implements integrated package of cost-effective interventions that are proven to improve maternal and child nutrition. HKI supports policies and programs on food fortification, vitamin A supplementation, infant and young child feeding, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, community-based management of acute malnutrition and prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases. At the core of HKI’s programs is advocacy and social behavior change communication to various stakeholders. HKI also undertakes cutting-edge research to influence policy decisions and inform program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Driver

Locations: Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto

Background

• The USAID Advancing Nutrition implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners.
• The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition.
• Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity and advance development.
• The overall purpose of the project in Nigeria is to provide technical support to the Government of Nigeria, and other nutrition stakeholders and generate evidence to enhance nutrition programming toward achieving the overall goal of improving nutrition for a healthy, productive, and resilient Nigeria.

Scope of the Position 

• This position reports to the Finance and Admin Officer, who is responsible for vehicle management.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate vehicles to ensure the safety of all passengers, pedestrians, other drivers and the vehicle in town and on field visits.
• Conduct vehicle checks (daily, weekly, monthly and before/after trips to field), and notify the staff person responsible for vehicle management of any vehicle problems.
• Respect local traffic laws and drive within established speed limits.
• Understand the basic operations and maintenance requirements of Helen Keller vehicles. Perform minor maintenance and repair as required.
• Secure the vehicles when not in use.
• Provide support to Helen Keller field office staff and visitors in transporting materials to project sites, including loading and unloading Helen Keller vehicles as required.
• Fill in Vehicle Logbook after each trip with complete information and Fuel Log.
• Accept shifts / schedules as assigned, including weekend and after hours by rotation.
• Deliver and pick up passengers and materials / documents at airports, offices, businesses, etc. in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ensure that vehicles have the appropriate tools to enable users to perform minor maintenance and repairs in the field.
• Clean the vehicle inside and outside when necessary.
• Manage vehicles with care and use them with respect. Drive Helen Keller vehicles in a safe and secure manner in accordance with local law and the policies of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Responsibilities
Vehicle Driving:

• Possess a valid local driver’s license.
• Read and understand Helen Keller’s Vehicle Management policies and procedures related to vehicle management and driving protocols.
• Respect local traffic laws and drive within established speed limits.
• Deliver and pick up materials and documents at offices and businesses in a professional and courteous manner.

Vehicle Management & Maintenance:

• Conduct vehicle checks (daily, weekly, monthly and for trips), and signal any actual or potential problems to the staff person responsible for vehicle management;
• Carefully assess surroundings before parking, particularly at night.  It is the driver’s responsibility to be attentive to potential threats.
• Clean the vehicle inside and outside when necessary.
• Provide support to Helen Keller staff and visitors in transporting materials to project sites, including loading and unloading Helen Keller vehicles as required;
• Ensure that vehicles have the appropriate tools and equipment on board to enable users to perform minor maintenance and repairs in the field.
• Understand the basic operations and maintenance requirements of Helen Keller vehicles. Perform minor maintenance and repair as required.
• Fill in log sheets after each trip with complete information and Fuel Logbook.

Vehicle Safety:

• Manage vehicles with care and use them with respect. Drive Helen Keller vehicles in a safe and secure manner in accordance with local law and the policies of Helen Keller.
• Do not accept unknown parcels, baggage or other questionable loads into the vehicles.
• Notify the staff person responsible for vehicle management of any movement of any vehicle from the office, any deviation from the planned route of travel, or changes of schedule.
• Inform the staff person responsible for vehicle management or Country Director of any danger – immediate or potential – to the security of Helen Keller staff or equipment due to demonstrations / riots in town, roadblocks, requisitions of vehicles by armed persons, shooting, etc. in order to alert staff.
• Ensure the safety and comfort of passengers at all times.
• Do not accept unknown riders - particularly individuals carrying weapons, wearing military uniforms, or those linked to conflicts - inside Helen Keller vehicles.
• Verify that passengers riding in Helen Keller vehicles wear seat belts at all times.  Drivers are responsible for enforcing this rule in their vehicles.
• Yield the right-of-way to other drivers, pedestrians, bicycle and motorcycle riders, even if progress is slowed.
• Provide contact location to staff when in the field.

Qualifications

• Secondary-level Diploma.
• 5 years experience driving professionally; experience in mechanics desired.
• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Good working knowledge of all major local road networks, LGAs and city streets.
• Good command of English and Hausa languages highly desired.
• Valid, current driving license with a clean driving record (no accidents).
• Verifiable references.
• Professional, courteous and punctual.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to travel regularly within the project states (Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto) as needed.

Terms & Conditions:

• These are local positions, and as such, subject to local terms and conditions.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a Cover Letter and Resume as one document to: [email protected] using the Job Title and the Location as the subject of the mail.

Note: Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled

Application Deadline  31st December, 2021.