Project Manager at Albarka Healthspring Foundation

Project Implementation and Justification

• Northwest Nigeria is facing a food insecurity and malnutrition situation which continues to get worse because of banditry and conflicts between herders and farmers on one hand; and on the other hand, due to a volatile economic situation defined by inflation and devaluation of the Naira among others. The result of the recently concluded March 2024 Cadre Harmonise analysis indicates that 29 per cent (6,285,032 individuals) of the estimated population in the three northwestern states are in CH phases 3-4; of which about 8 per cent are in Sokoto. Since the year 2020, WFP had implemented several activities in response to the food and nutrition insecurity ravaging the NW of Nigeria.
• WFP plans to distribute 888MT of the wheat grain received from Ukraine to assist 39,084 of the vulnerable affected population in northwest Nigeria covering Sokoto for three months starting from the onset of the 2024 lean season, the month of July. This is part of an integrated approach that the WFP initiated to combine with other WFP ongoing/planned interventions to make a maximum impact on the food needs, well-being, and resilience of the affected population.

Job Summary

• The Project Manager for the General Food Distribution (GFD) project will be responsible for the full implementation of the project in Ilella, Tangaza, and Rabah LGAs by AHSF. The Project Manager will be managed and supported by the State Coordinator. He/She will directly manage the entire GFD team in the 3 LGAs. He/She will also provide technical oversight of the food assistance program to ensure high-quality programme delivery, adherence to strong systems, compliance with all procedures, and full accountability within the framework of AHSF and donor standards and guidelines. He/She will closely collaborate and coordinate with AHSF colleagues, partners, donors, and government counterparts in the design and implementation of the GFD Programme.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible and accountable for the high-quality delivery of the GFD programme.
• Provide management, supervision, and oversight to all AHSF staff involved in the food assistance programme at the field level.
• Manage and track food assistance programming, budget, and assets at the field level. 
• Work hand in hand with the MEAL department to develop monitoring plans for all food assistance and complementary activities (Gender & Protection, disability inclusion) in the field and ensure that regular and rigorous monitoring takes place during implementation. 
• Track major trends and developments and take action to ensure project objectives are accomplished.
• Participate in the recruitment of staff that has the required knowledge, skill, and abilities to meet AHSF food assistance programming standards.
• Provide technical oversight through periodic visits to all FDPs, monitor and review all aspects of the food programming and systems as well as provide appropriate feedback and recommendations to the GFD project staff.
• Conduct unscheduled and scheduled field visits to all FDPs to observe the distribution and check compliance with set standards.
• Conduct on-spot training to correct any anomalies detected.
• Ensure submission of timely and accurate reports including daily distribution, monthly, quarterly, end-year reports, distribution summaries, etc., which reflect the true picture of the food assistance project.
• Work hand in hand with finance to ensure that donor invoices are accurate, and timely submission and that any issues arising are addressed promptly.

Staff management:

• Uphold AHSF’s code of conduct and principles of accountability.  
• Develop and implement a staff capacity-building plan in areas of commodity management, food distribution, and sensitization to meet established standards through on-the-job training and any other appropriate methods.
• Ensure incentive worker payments are processed on time and payments are made promptly.
• Cultivate a culture of high performance as per the AHSF core competencies spectrum.

Coordination and Networking:

• Organize staff meetings to discuss project implementation as well as challenges, successes, and solutions.
• Organize and document monthly management meetings.
• Participate in partner coordination meetings with donors and other stakeholders. (AHSF, and other Partners).
• Organize quarterly performance meetings with the donor to identify gaps and compliance.

Administration & Budget Management:

• Review and approve purchase requests to ensure costs are properly apportioned.
• Maintain asset register and inventory management for the project.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the project procurement plan.
• In charge of the budget, planning, monitoring, and review to ensure the project is delivered on time.
• Conduct monthly finance review meetings to ensure project costs are accurate and acceptable.
• Approval of expenditure within AHSF levels of authority.
• Ensure all compliance issues are addressed within acceptable timeframes

Experience and Technical Competencies: 

• 3-5 years experience, preferably with a (I)NGO or AHSF, in food commodities handling, tracking and accounting.
• Knowledge of AHSF/  and WFP regulations about relief food commodities tracking accounting and reporting.
• This position requires a person who is self-motivated and can accomplish the task with minimal supervision.
• He/she should be able to manage a team of staff as well as cooperate with other units. He/she must be keen on details and a well-organized individual.
• Good understanding of writing project proposals, budget management, financial management, and report writing.
• A flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high workload in a volatile environment
• Good management skills
• An ability to analyze information quickly and accurately.
• Clear, effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office, Excel and KoboToolBox.

Other desirable qualities:

• Leadership and management
• Coordination with partners
• Planning and prioritization
• Flexibility
• Capacity to work under stress
• Solution-oriented
• Team player.

Languages: 

• English fluency is a must
• Hausa fluency is a must.