The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation of Life-saving assistance (Crisis Response) project in Gwoza (Pulka and Gwoza) LGA, Borno State. This project aims to provide food and nutrition security to communities affected by crisis and carry out early recovery activities to meet their immediate food needs. The Program Manager will lead a team of field staff and collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure the objectives of the project are achieved.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the project plan, ensuring it is aligned with the objectives of the project.
• Lead the team in the delivery of unconditional assistance to food insecure women, children, elderly persons and people with disability, through in-kind food and cash transfers.
• Ensure the distribution of food and specialized nutritious food is organized in a well-secured environment with adequate protection and safety measures in place.
• Provide specialized nutritious food and key messages on the adequate use of specialized nutritious foods and IYCF practices to all caregivers.
• Improve Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through provision of skills building, financial literacy sessions, VSLAs, and among others.
• Oversee the implementation of socio-economic measures, such as community cohesion including other social protection measures to vulnerable groups.
• Implement monthly screening of children (6-23 months) and PLW and ensure they are referred to the appropriate health facilities.
• Lead the team in delivering complementary livelihood activities such as promotion of nutrition-sensitive and/or climate-smart agriculture interventions, financial literacy, and VSLA.
• Provide technical support to the field team and ensure they have the resources they need to carry out their activities.
• Foster a positive and supportive working environment for the field team and other project partners.
• Ensure the project is implemented in a safe manner in accordance with WFP guidelines on safe distributions.
• Collaborate with UNICEF and other key actors to ensure that beneficiaries are referred appropriately.
• Provide regular updates to stakeholders on project progress and any challenges faced.
• Monitor project budgets, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively.
• Ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, local authorities and community leaders.
• Ensure project activities are monitored and evaluated regularly and make changes as needed to improve project outcomes.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the project, including the collection and analysis of data to assess the impact of the project.
• Ensure that all activities are conducted in compliance with relevant policies and procedures, including ethical and data protection standards.
• Ensure project reports are submitted on time and in accordance with WFP guidelines

Note: This job description is not exhaustive and the role may involve additional tasks as required.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as international development, project management, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management, particularly in crisis response and humanitarian aid programs
• Familiarity with WFP guidelines and other humanitarian standards
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of Cash-based Transfers (CBT), Blanket Supplementary Feeding Programme, and Capacity Strengthening (CS)
• Fluency in English and the local language of the target community
• Strong leadership and management skills, including experience leading a field team.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders and partners.
• Experience in implementing programs in a crisis context.
• Experience in working with communities and local stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in English.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with project budget management and monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.