State Manager - Skills For Prosperity, Nigeria at Palladium Group

Ref.: req8033

Project Overview and Role

• Global Prosperity Fund’s ‘Skills for Prosperity’ is a £75m DFID programme, which seeks to improve the cost-effectiveness, access, quality, relevance and equity of skills through innovative approaches in 9 Middle-Income Countries around the world, including Nigeria.  
• In Nigeria, the Skills for Prosperity (S4P) country programme will work in six targeted states to: Improve access to quality Higher Education and TVET for youth and young women, with a focus on improving access to and the quality of apprenticeships, and supporting training institutions to deliver demand-driven, competency-based training,
• Strengthen education-to-employment linkages, and Build the capacity of training institutions to improve outcomes for vulnerable women and people with disabilities.
• Apprenticeships, training, and capacity building interventions will focus on identified high growth sectors of the economy (Agriculture/Agribusiness/agro-allied industries; Creative and Entertainment, and Information and Communications Technology sectors).
• S4P aims to directly benefit 6,000 youth and women in targeted states of Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Edo, Benue and Lagos.
• We are looking for talented individuals with a relevant track record, and interest or experience in the private sector and skills training. Most of all we are looking for team members with the drive to tackle new and complex challenges and work with us to learn, adapt and deliver sustainable benefits for Nigeria.
• As well as a competitive salary, bonus and benefits, we are an outgoing, creative, and supportive team and offer a personally and professional rewarding environment above all.

Scope of Work

• Responsible for programme management and implementation at state level, reporting directly to the Team Leader
• Lead and manage the programme team in the state
• Oversee and facilitate all S4P skills development interventions in the state
• Lead the development of policy at state level on behalf of the programme
• Identify, develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders in state and local government, private sector, academia and in civil society in order to promote and its approach both in-state and in other states, as opportunities arise
• Collaborate with and report to the intervention managers (PSD, Skills and Equity) to ensure successful execution of interventions at state level
• Work with MREL team to assess the impact, demand and feasibility of the interventions and facilitate monitoring
• Feed updates to the Communications and Safeguarding Officer on communications activities and support with developing relevant communications at state level
• Any other tasks as assigned by the Team Leader

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience working in or with the education and skills sector in the state, especially in higher education, vocational training, or apprenticeships
• Top level experience with appreciable local network in government, private sector and civil society within the state
• Outstanding project manager with relevant experience coordinating activities and local teams as part of education and skills programmes or initiatives
• Fluency in English and the main language(s) of the state.