Project Manager at ActionAid Nigeria (AAN)

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) is a not for profit, non-governmental organisation registered with the Nigeria Corporate Affairs Commission. It commenced operations in Nigeria in 1999, while the programmatic operations commenced in January 2000 through a Country Agreement signed with the National Planning Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ActionAid is an anti-poverty agency that prioritises works with the poor and excluded; promoting values and commitment in civil society, institutions and governments with the aim of achieving structural changes in order to eradicate injustices and poverty in the world. ActionAid Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, an International Non-Governmental organisation registered in The Netherlands with its headquarters in Johannesburg South Africa. ActionAid International works in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

AAN is inviting applications from qualified candidates to fill the position of Project Manager-Sustainable Mechanisms for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment

Job Title: Project Manager-Sustainable Mechanisms for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment (SMILE)

Location: Benue State

The post holder who will be a member of the Country Management Team (CMT) of ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), will be reporting to the Programme Manager, Health and will be working from the SMILE project Head office in Benue. S/he will be the technical lead of SMILE project for ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and will be responsible for ensuring implementation of the project in the states in line with outlined objectives.

Technical Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight and leadership in delivering all organizational development activities.
• Direct supervision of State Advisors embedded with the State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development (SMWASD) and support to Senior Program Managers strengthening CSOs.
• The Project Manager will make regular visits to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development (FMWASD) to ensure alignment with efforts at state level.
• Provide targeted technical assistance in carrying out organisation capacity assessment of the SMWASD in the project states
• Provide technical direction in mentoring, coaching and hands on support in establishing effective systems for planning, monitoring and coordination of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s response
• Submit monthly and quarterly reports on the activities of SMILE to AAN
• Ensure that data is collected routinely and same uploaded in the SMILE Monitoring & Evaluation data base as well as the ActionAid Data Management System
• S/he will be responsible for delivering AAN’s component of SMILE Project.

Reporting and Accountability

• Submit to Program Manager, Health timely informative reports, indicating performance in processes planned for the month and progress towards outputs and objectives of the SMILE Project.
• Submit situational and any other non-routine reports as and when required.
• Participate in programme meetings of the AAN SMILE Team, sharing experiences from the field, bringing up issues of general programme nature for collective decision making.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for collaboration and other forms of engagement by AAN outside the ambit of SMILE project.

Human Resource Management

• Initiate the recruitment and selection of staff for the unit by identifying needs and assisting in short-listing, and interview process
• Design question/written exam to assess appropriate competencies for different positions in the Health team.
• Sit on panels for interviews of ActionAid staff.
• Take part in drafting Job Descriptions for Health staff to ensure that all relevant roles and responsibilities are included
• Ensure timely and quality performance management of the SMILE team, set targets and conduct appraisals for Project Advisors.
• Identify capacity gaps of SMILE staff and ensure they are addressed through necessary training, coaching and mentoring.

Fundraising

• Actively explore opportunities for fundraising in consultation with the Partnership Development and Fundraising Manager.
• Support the team in developing project proposals for donors in accordance with the donor agency’s format, other requirements and AAN Country Strategy Paper and global strategic framework.

Financial Management

• Participate in and contribute to the development of AAN annual plans and budgets
• Ensure judicious use of resources in AAN’s work

Others

• Represent AAN including the Health team and ensure the maintenance of optimum relations at all levels with relevant agencies and Civil Society Organisations in the country
• Actively take part in the overall policy, programme, procedure and strategy development of AAN in general.
• Assume any other responsibilities relevant to the position as agreed with the Program Manager, Health or assigned by the Director of Programmes

Person Specifications

Education/Qualifications

• Degree in Social Sciences, Arts or Humanities is essential.
• Masters degree in a related field is essential.

Experience

• At least 8 years minimum working experience is essential.
• 4 years’ experience in a similar position with good demonstration of success in system strengthening of a government institution is essential
• In-depth understanding of Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVC) issues and the surrounding policy environment both at state and national level is essential

Skill/Abilities

• Excellent skills in communication and facilitation is essential
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, documentation and presentation skills is essential

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrable leadership qualities with good interpersonal skills, able to work effectively in a diverse team environment.

Method of Application; All interested candidates should complete the application form accessed from www.actionaid.org/nigeria and send as an attachment to vacancy.nigeria@actionaid.org. Only electronically submitted forms will be entertained.

ActionAid offers competitive terms of employment. Applications from women are particularly welcome.

Application Deadline; 6th June, 2013