Project Manager – Strengthening FoRB in Nigeria Through Legal Support (IRF) needed at Search For Common Ground’s International

Position Summary

• Search is seeking an experienced Project Manager for a project in the Northwest (Kano, Sokoto), North Central (Plateau and Benue), and North East (Borno) regions of Nigeria (Based in Jos, Plateau State).
• The role will specifically provide programme implementation leadership in managing a 30-month project funded by the United States Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Office of International Religious Freedom.
•  The project will be implemented by Search for Common Ground with the overall goal of reinforcing the legal, social and policy environments for improved Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria. The position requires a manager with extensive experience in programming on Freedom of Religion or Belief, conflict transformation, access to justice and legal aid, and peacebuilding, who is conversant with project management cycles
• . The position holder must be organized and experienced in responding to real-time conflict, FoRB violations, peace efforts, security and the overall aim of conflict transformation.
• The Project Manager must have good diplomacy skills and be capable of negotiating with challenging stakeholders and also lead a diverse team.
• The position holder advises the Head of Programme Implementation and Country Director on the project needs, strategies, staffing issues, local context, and dynamics.
• This position will be based in our Plateau office, with frequent travels to Benue, Kano, Sokoto and Borno States. She/he will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme Impleme. The position holder will directly oversee the project implementation and have a team of Coordinators, Officers and Assistants.

Job Responsibilitie

Representation and coordination:

• Under the guidance of the Line Manager represents Search in the project implementation initiatives;
• Provides orientation of Search at the local level and supervises staff comprising Project and Media Officers under the project;
• Provides strong coordination support to NGOs, partners, and national authorities through the establishment of wider consultation and collaborative processes to achieve the project goal.
• Responsible for the coordination of all project activities.
• Provides strong coordination support to NGOs, partners, and national authorities through the establishment of wider
• Be Search’s media contact for the project when delegated by the Country Director or line manager;
• Represent Search with donors in the absence and instance of the line manager

Program strategy, development, and planning:

• Support in implementing Search’s FoRB strategy in Nigeria and other strategic directions for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin;
• Collaborate with relevant staff in other Search offices for quality program development and planning;
• Support in coordinating new business development, including coordinating the development of concept notes and proposals; and
• Advises Country Management on program needs

Program oversight, quality assurance, and reporting:

• Ensures proper implementation of the project based on continuous monitoring and analysis of the core objectives of the projects as outlined above;
• Leads the project and facilitates the attainment of project expected results in the implementation states, in close collaboration with the Head of Programme Implementation;
• Ensures effective application of results-based management methodologies.
• Develop and monitor project work-plans, effectiveness and achievement of results;
• Monitors budgets versus actuals and cash-flow for the project;
• Steer the project’s activities to meaningfully address needs in an ever-changing context;
• Ensures all donor and internal reports are submitted within internal deadlines and to expected quality;
• Build coalitions and networks with local partners for the project’s effectiveness.

Human Resources Management and Organizational Development

• Provide leadership support to the project staff and promote best practices in human resources management.
• Ensure compliance with Nigerian law and SFCG procedures on the project;
• Provide leadership support for the adequate implementation of the performance management system, including performance objectives, planning, review, appraisal and staff development; and
• Provide Coaching and Counseling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity
• Leadership
• Contribute to the discussions around overall strategy and direction of the country program and the organization;
• Ensure that the project is maintaining a coordinated and agreed information exchange both internally and in its dealing with external parties;
• Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the overall finance and guidance manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements;

Leadership

• Contribute to the discussions around overall strategy and direction of the country program and the organization;
• Ensure that the project is maintaining a coordinated and agreed information exchange both internally and in its dealing with external parties;
• Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the overall finance and guidance manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements;
• 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.

Qualifications

Required Experience

Other Relevant Requirements

Education

• A bachelor’s Degree in Law or a related area required, while a Masters in Conflict Resolution, International Relations, Project Management or related field would be an added benefit.
• At least 7 years of experience in peacebuilding, advocacy, dialogue, Do No Harm, FoRB, legal support, training and capacity building related work.
• Experience in working with Legal Practitioners, Legal Aid Council, Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Muslim Lawyers Association in Nigeria (MULAN) and Law students platforms in tertiary institutions.
• At least five (5) years of experience in managing teams and projects in the fields of conflict resolution, conflict transformation, advocacy and training development, or related fields.
• Knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of peace, conflict transformation, governance, development and humanitarian issues;
• Good knowledge of the country context, and the context of the North West, North East, and North Central regions, and ability to network with civil society, legal actors, and the public sector
• Ability to review, analyze and interpret financial reports, budget versus actuals, financial projections and procurement documentation;
• Good interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships;
• Analytical capacity, including the ability to analyze and articulate peace, human security and conflict issues;
• Ability to work with people at all levels, ranging from high-level national officials to community leaders;
• Experience in setting performance objectives for teams and leading a team.
• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments on FoRB, policies, human rights laws and the peace-building field;
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite) and other softwares
• Detail-oriented with ability to meet deadlines, both prescribed and self-imposed
• Willingness and desire to learn while demonstrating self-initiative
• Ability to adapt to new cultures and work in diverse environments
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of respect and inclusion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English is a requirement