Nigeria: Program Manager - Integrated Peacebuildling and Economic Development (218105-927)

This position is contingent upon funding and donor approval.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps works almost exclusively in high-risk conflict and post-conflict environments. While we recognize that these are difficult places to operate, we believe that transitional environments – countries affected by civil wars, economic and political crisis, or natural disasters – also offer tremendous opportunities for positive change. We currently implement over 30 peacebuilding programs in some of the world’s toughest places, including Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan.

Contingent upon award, Mercy Corps anticipates starting a new peacebuilding program in northern Nigeria. Starting in August, this 3-year program will incorporate strong economic development and natural resource management elements in order to address underlying drivers of conflict and build cooperation between conflicting communities. Specifically, the project will: (1) enhance the capacity of key community stakeholders to resolve local disputes that are having a negative impact on local economic activity; (2) implement economic and natural resource management initiatives that address the drivers of local conflict while building cooperation between groups, and (3) support business-led efforts to raise awareness of the economic costs of conflict and advocate for stability-enhancing policy change. An emphasis will be placed on pastoralist/farmer conflicts that cross religious lines.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Manager will have responsibility for technical oversight, overall achievement of objectives, and the day-to-day administration and implementation of this new peacebuilding program. This includes strengthening the capacity of local partners in the areas of peacebuilding and conflict management; facilitating clear communication between diverse groups and ensuring rigorous measurement of program impact and timely reporting.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Management

Manage and oversee all conflict management/mitigation program activities in cooperation with key project stakeholders, including local non-governmental organizations, local government officials, community-based organizations, other international agencies on the ground, and key donors;Collaborate with program, finance and administrative staff to ensure systems are in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and proceduresImplement and model Mercy Corps’ philosophy of social entrepreneurship and leverage Mercy Corps’ best practices.Increase staff capacity by designing and leading technical training sessions on conflict management for Mercy Corps staff and local partners and providing ongoing coaching and mentoring.Promote learning and knowledge management through documentation and knowledge sharing around best practices and lessons learned;

Strategy and Vision

Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative view points are welcomed.Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Representation

Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.Maintain good working relationships with the donor, the host country government and local leaders, partner agencies, and other key stakeholders;

Team Management

Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via performance reviews. Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.Supervise and regularly coordinate with project staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities;

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Project team

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Regional Program Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Mercy Corps administration, finance, DM&E and logistics departments in Abuja. The Program Manager works directly with relevant Mercy Corps headquarters units as necessary, including Mercy Corps’ Conflict Management Group and Economic and Market Development team and various administrative/financial units.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Familiarity and experience with both peacebuilding programming and either economic development or natural resource management programming, preferably in insecure or transitional environments and/or in West Africa.Masters degree in conflict mitigation, social sciences, international relations or other relevant field preferred.Minimum 5 years’ relevant professional experience implementing conflict management programsExperience implementing natural resource management or economic development programs a plus.Familiarity with natural resource management and with land and resource tenure issues.Knowledge of principles of market-led development.Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.Experience managing national and international staff.Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.Familiarity with the Nigerian context is a plus.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Program Manager will have the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position will likely be based in Abuja with up to 50% travel, primarily to locations within the Middle Belt states, where security is at times high-risk. Security in Abuja is generally good, although there are times when security is an issue. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport.

Abuja is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partner and/or dependents.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE