Project Manager (ECPS Project) at Search For Common Ground’s International

Project Summary

The project aims to improve peace and security in Nigerian border communities in Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, and Niger States. This will be achieved through community capacity building, institutional strengthening, and cross-border collaboration. Activities focus on empowering community members through training in conflict sensitivity and early warning systems, establishing and revitalizing local government level and state-level Peace Architecture Dialogues, and fostering collaboration amongst project stakeholders. The project also seeks to promote trust-building and social cohesion, through approaches such as sport activities between communities and security officials, media engagement for conflict-sensitive journalism, and community outreach through radio dramas and participatory theater. By fostering inclusive dialogue and enhancing security coordination, the project aims to improve perceptions of peace and security while building sustainable mechanisms for conflict resolution and prevention in the region.

Position Summary

Search for Common Ground seeks an experienced, expert, skilled and creative Project Manager with strong understanding of the context of North West, North Central Nigeria states. He/She must have strong programmatic, administrative and financial skills with team management ability, project cycle management skills and group dynamic leadership skills

The position requires an experienced peacebuilding expert with sound knowledge on peace and security challenges of the aforementioned states and, most importantly experience in managing peace and security projects. The position holder must be organized and experienced in culturally identifiable conflict and context analyst capable of steering various project activities in project states, to respond to real-time conflict, peace efforts, security, and the overall aim of conflict transformation. The Project Manager must have good diplomacy skills be capable of negotiating with challenging stakeholders and also lead a diverse team. The position holder advises the Country leadership on the project needs, strategies, staffing issues, local context, and dynamics. This position will be based in our Niger office with frequent travel project field locations.

She/he will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme Implementation. The position holder will directly oversee the project implementation and have a team of officers and assistants.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Project Manager is in charge of the overall implementation of the projects, including relating with other consortium partners. 

Key Area 1: Project management, planning, reporting and budget management. 

• Oversee and monitor the implementation of the project
• Project activities: design project activities (e.g., objectives and structure of activities); lead and/or deliver project activities; coordinate with trainers in the design and delivery of project activities
• Reporting: review and finalize project documents (e.g., presentations, and agenda); finalize donor reports; review and finalize monthly and activity reports before sharing; review General Ledger (GL) and support country finance team (CFT) in producing financial report
• Compliance: coordinates with the appropriate country management team member in ensuring project, finance, and logistics staff follow donor rules/regulations; ensure donor compliance; lead capacity-building sessions to streamline rules and regulations
• Monitor the BvA and the actual/planned project expenditure, submit expenditure reports and supporting documents after a careful check of form, substance and quality.
• Project Management Tool (PMT): Regularly update the PMT for projects, ensuring accurate and up-to-date work plans and projections.
• Performance management: Interface with staff across all departments on regular basis
• Lead in staff capacity-building and identifying learning/growth opportunities; 
• Coordinate with the Head of Office in the development of project staffing plan; 
• Manage staff members accordingly
• External engagement: Maintain regular communication with consortium partners, meet with local authorities as needed, facilitate approvals; meet with partner leadership, and conduct regular meetings
• Program management, quality and project design: Coordinate with Design, Monitoring & Evaluation (DM&E), Grants Management System (GMS), Head of Programme Implementation in the organization of reflection sessions
• Note and record lessons learned via donor reports
• Ensure reviews and reflection sessions lead to adaptive work plan
• Make sure that approved Search methodologies are utilized
• Coordinate with Global Affairs & Partnerships Program Development team, as needed
• Support in attending fundraising and networking meetings
• Provide inputs to strategy development and planning related to technical area of work
• Infuses organizational Values into all work

Key Area 2: External representation of Search

• In coordination with the Head of Programme Implementation, the position is responsible for collaboration with institutional partners in the field and for representing Search as appropriate in project locations, including in donors’ meetings and with the government.
• Participate in the various coordination mechanisms with other humanitarian organizations in the field at the request of the project leader 
• Participate in relevant technical groups in Focal  State

Behavioral Competencies

• Working with People: The ability to respect the views and contributions of other team members; show empathy, listen, support, consult others and share information and expertise, builds team spirit and adapts to the team.
• Flexibility:  The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities, to tolerate ambiguity, to adapt personal style to different people and situations. 
• Drive for Results and Efficiency: The ability to set quality standards, monitor and maintain quality of work, and set goals to achieve continuous improvement. 
• Relationship Management: The ability to manage interactions, to provide service and to support the organization while building an effective internal and external network. 
• Leadership and Navigation:    The ability to manage and contribute to initiatives and processes within the organization while making progress toward change and continuous improvement. 
• Communication: The ability to effectively exchange information with others, to effectively deliver critical information, to gather information and communicate with others. 
• Global and Cultural Effectiveness:    The ability to value and consider the perspectives and backgrounds of all parties and be able to work cross-culturally. 
• Ethical Practice:    The ability to integrate Search vision, mission and core values, integrity and accountability throughout all organizational and business practices. 
• Critical Evaluation (for managers and up):    The ability to interpret information to make business decisions and recommendations based on keen analysis, best practices and an understanding of preferred outcomes. 
• Business Acumen:    The ability to understand and apply information to contribute to the organization's strategic plan. 
• Developing others (for people managers): The ability to provide support to enhance performance and professional growth. 

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a related area is required while a Master's in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies, International Relations, or related field would be an added benefit; 

Required Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in peacebuilding, gender mainstreaming and Do No Harm related work.
• At least five (5) years of experience in managing a team and project management in the field of conflict resolution, conflict transformation, development or related fields.

Other Relevant Requirements

• Knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of conflict prevention; peace; conflict transformation; governance; and development and humanitarian issues;
• Good knowledge of the country context and ability to network with both civil society and public sector
• Ability to review and 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 of teams and leading a team.
• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in farmer-herder issues, policies, laws etc.,s and peace-building fields;
• Good knowledge of North Central, including the political, economic and social dimensions;
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite) and other software
• 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

Added Advantage

• Language Skills: (Native/Fluent/Basic)
• English Language (Fluent)
• Hausa (an added advantage)
• French (an added advantage)