Head of Program Implementation - Niger Delta at Search For Common Ground’s International

Job Responsibilities

• Leadership and oversight of the Niger Delta Program including representation of Search with all donors, partners, authorities, and other key stakeholders in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. 
• Manage the relationship and act as the primary point of contact with the EU and project partners with regard to activity implementation, compliance, collaboration, and management matters relating to the project. 
• Provide technical oversight, administration, fiscal management, and grant and contract administration and management, assuring quality, impact, and cost-effectiveness of the project.
• Hold overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided under the award is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed and for adequately managing and supervising the work of all field staff, long‐term staff, short‐term staff, consortium partners, and/or sub‐partners, as proposed. 
• Effectively implement the project vision by overseeing the delivery of Search’s activities in all 4 key project activity streams. This includes strong technical expertise in conflict analysis, conflict transformation, community dialogue/peacebuilding structures, economic initiatives for peace, engagement of security actors, human rights, arts and multimedia activities, and journalism in contexts similar to Nigeria’s Niger Delta.  
• Oversee multiple activities simultaneously, including hiring, training, mentoring, and supervising local personnel.
• Provide strong senior leadership and strategic direction to the project team and as consortium lead, including relationship management with key stakeholders and project partners.
• Assemble and motivate a team of local staff and short-term consultants, and effectively supervise project personnel. 
• Liaise with Search’s internal teams including the Nigeria Country Team, the West Africa Regional Team, and global HQ teams in Brussels and Washington DC.
• Represent Search, the project, and the Niger Delta Program at high-level events and meetings, including public speaking engagements on relevant topic areas.
• Operations: Ensure compliance of staff and partners to Search, donor, and country rules and regulations
• Ensure adhesion to the logistical and security architecture of the country or regional implementation landscape
• Infuses organizational Values into all work
• Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Motivates colleagues and direct reports to develop while resolving problems within the context of a proactive and broad vision set by the organization.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts to facilitate work intended to provide a service to Search.
• Manages and contributes to both routine activities and initiatives while also making progress on continuous improvement efforts.
• Juggles multiple demands and adapts to new situations with fresh ideas or innovative approaches.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of departmental strategy based on organizational goals and objectives.
• Practices ethical behavior to meet Search’s expectations for conduct, minimizes ambiguity and sets an example for others.
• Builds a framework and sets in motion a plan to overcome challenges by making sense out of complexity and an uncertain future, staying cognizant of the implications of a choice for the department, and being decisive while also applying flexibility for further change as needed and with changing work plans to meet environmental factors.
• Sets up procedures and team building to ensure high quality of work (e.g., review meetings).
• Seeks out creative solutions within a complex and international environment while working within an organizational framework of compliance, ethics, best practices, and standards.
• Share information, advice, and suggestions to help others to be more successful; provide effective coaching.
• Sought out as an expert to provide advice or solutions in their technical or functional area.
• Convenes groups or teams through problem-solving and creative thinking processes, leading to the development and implementation of new approaches, systems, structures, and methods in a Shared Services environment.
• Involves team members in thought leadership discussions and decision-making to lead to continued growth and development for team, department members, and Shared Services colleagues.

Experience and Education

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Peace and Conflict Studies, Development, Political Science, International Affairs, Social Sciences, or other relevant subjects.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, with at least 5 years of senior management experience in community-centered conflict transformation and prevention and/or work with Local, State, Regional, National and International actors.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with EU international assistance program requirements. Senior management level experience in similar grants.
• Experience managing subgrants and contracts under grants for complex projects. Proven ability to manage all aspects of grant and contract administration, and technical assistance staff with a commitment to teamwork.
• Professional experience and knowledge of Nigeria and/or West Africa or experience in similar contexts to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
• Experience overseeing conflict transformation Projects is an advantage.
• Proven ability to manage technical assistance teams and lead multidisciplinary teams while developing a common vision.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of respect and inclusion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English is a requirement