Project Manager – Nigeria

The Project Manager will be responsible for a new project in the Niger Delta which contributes to the amnesty process focusing on reconciliation and reintegration at community level, working with local partners to help strengthen the finding of cooperative solutions to deeply rooted conflict issues.

Based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the Project Manager will report to the Country Director and is an integral member of the country programme. S/he will be responsible for the timely implementation of the activities in the new project, building an action team of partners and staff and measuring the impact of the results of the project.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, SFCG works in twelve countries: Angola, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Since 2003, SFCG has worked through its multi-media division, Common Ground Productions, in Nigeria, from 2004 to 2008 producing and broadcasting a TV series targeting a youth audience. In 2010, SFCG began building its engagement in Nigeria, initiating a multi-year conflict transformation program, utilizing media and support to civil society in order to expand and deepen the impact of the Common Ground approach in Nigeria. SFCG has established a permanent presence in Abuja as an operational base for a number of initiatives comprising the country program.  SFCG works to support peaceful resolution of conflict in the areas of Nigeria such as the Niger Delta and Jos.

Organizational Development and Implementation

• Establish an office in Port Harcourt to serve for the operational base of the project and serve as SFCG’s local representative in the Delta
• Establish an action team for implementation of the project – building partnerships with key partners in the project and staff members
• Ensure the workplanning with the action team,  implementation and  reporting of the activities in respect of the project to support the amnesty process in the Niger Delta
• Manage the various partnerships which are central to the project
• Work with the Country Director to build appropriate strategy for the rollout of the project
• Establish good working relations with relevant stakeholders for the effective implementation of the project including government offices and officials at federal, state and local level
• Develop and maintain proactive, positive, and professional relationships with partner organizations, other NGOS, donors, clients, politicians, key government officials, civil society groups, working on the amnesty process in the Niger Delta
• Implement administrative and financial systems for the execution of the project
• Maintain regular written and oral reporting to the Nigeria Director on key country, regional, program, security and staff issues
• Maintain responsible media coverage of program events and issues in the Delta related to SFCG mission and the project

  Administration

• Oversee general office affairs
• Establishing and managing an operational office in the Delta from which the project is implemented ensuring compliance with local laws and organizational policies and procedures, including the management and evaluation of a diverse staff
• Ensure the implementation of Niger Delta-based project on-time and within budget
• Ensure compliance with SFCG Operations Manual policies and procedures
• Establish and maintain updated security and evacuation plans
• Oversee the management of grants and budgets, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines
• Manage and report the finances of the sub office, establishing and monitoring a system of checks and balances to ensure the program’s financial stability and viability within annual operating budget
• Be the focal point in the Niger Delta with regard to organization-wide institutional learning and design, monitoring and evaluation policies

  The Project Manager will work with the Nigeria Director and delegates to establish strategic priorities for SFCG in Nigeria, including defining program priorities, plans and long-term strategy within the overall Africa Program vision and goals. With these priorities, collaboration will be expected to:  

• Identify and assess current and existing conflict management and prevention initiatives in the Niger Delta and the relevant actors and stakeholders
• Identify local partners and target communities, and seek their input through individual meetings and planning sessions
• Establish SFCG’s vision and specific objectives for the Niger Delta to contribute to the wider Nigeria country programme program, including identifying tools and methodology
• Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning efforts

  As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

• Post graduate degree in social sciences or related field
• At least five (5) years of experience in peace-building, development and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues such as civil society strengthening
• Proven ability to negotiate multiple relationships with various partners
• Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience particularly with EU grants
• Demonstrated budgeting, proposal writing, and grants management skills
• Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving skills, particularly in challenging situations
• Knowledge of major donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to build and conduct effective professional working relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
• Spoken and written fluency in English
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
• Experience living and working overseas, preferably inNigeriaor a related area ofAfrica
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Experience with creative conflict resolution practice

Please send a cover letter and resume to employment@sfcg.org  or fax to +1 (202) 232-6718 with the subject heading:  Project Manager – Nigeria. Please be sure to include minimum salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention where you found this posting. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.