New Jobs at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

Summary of Position
The Project Manager is responsible for the management of activities in the North Central States (Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Bauchi), related to five projects currently being implemented by SFCG. These projects are funded by USAID, the US State Department, and National Democratic Institute, with a combined value of over $4,000,000. The Project Manager may be required to assume further responsibilities on new projects as they arise. The Project Manager will ensure a timely and effective implementation of activities, supervise a cohesive and efficient action team of partners and staff, and ensure appropriate measurement of the results of the project. The Project Manager reports to the Deputy Director.

Responsibilities
The Project Manager's duties include, but are not limited to:

Program Implementation

• Develop and update detailed workplans for each project under his/her supervision, including start-up and closedown plans as needed;
• Coordinate project staff (program officers, assistants, finance staff) and partners to implement activities according to the workplan, in line with SFCG's Common Ground Approach and ensuring effective gender and minority mainstreaming;
• Manage an action team for implementation of the project, including partners, consultants and members of staff for the effective implementation of projects;
• Ensure management and capacity-building of partners in line with capacity-building plans and SFCG procedures and Partnership Protocols;
• Ensure production and submission of high quality activity reports and donor reports, with a focus on capturing results;
• Produce and/or review communications and visibility material related to projects under supervision ;
• Coordinate with Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure tools and methodologies are developed to capture results, including capturing of gender and minority participation;
• Maintain regular written and oral reporting to the Deputy Country Director on key country, regional, program, security and staff issues;
• Develop and maintain proactive, positive and professional relationships with government offices and officials at federal, state and local level, other NGOS, donors, clients, politicians, key government officials and civil society groups working on peace; and
• Serve as SFCG's representative with donors and local stakeholders in North Central Nigeria.

Finance and Administration

• Conduct budget versus actual reviews to analyse spending and develop corrective plans as needed
• Liaise effectively with Finance and Logistics teams to ensure adequate preparation for activities, ensure compliance of all activities with organizational operational procedures, and prepare for audits as requested
• Ensure all staff under supervision and partners are familiar with the latest organizational finance and compliance policies
• Maintain an updated staffing plan/organogram for all projects under supervision
• Provide information on security context in areas under supervision to update Nigeria country program security plan

Strategic Planning

• Participate in meetings with the Country Director, Deputy Director and other staff to establish strategic priorities for SFCG in Nigeria, and ensure that strategy is reflected in program implementation;
• Identify and assess current and existing conflict management and prevention initiatives in North and Central Nigeria and the relevant actors and stakeholders;
• Identify local partners and target communities, and seek their input through individual meetings and planning sessions;
• Participate in new business development, as requested, and ensure strategic priorities are reflected
• Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning efforts.

Note: As job descriptions are not exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications for the Position
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies and values, as well as possessing the required knowledge, skills and experience for the position.

Core Values and Guiding Principles

• Integrity: Demonstrate consistency in ethical conduct and upholding and promoting the values of SFCG in their actions and decisions, in line with the organization's mission to help the world understand differences and act on their commonalities.
• Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence, discretion, sound judgment and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Valuing Diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff.
• Tolerance for uncertainty, instability and unpredictable environment.

Core Competencies

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Take initiative and be creative in addressing challenges and promoting solutions.
• Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Communicating and Information Sharing: Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others.
• Conflict Management: Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge among staff and partners.
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making: Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies

• Strong communications skills, with proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing policy and program documents.
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills.
• Good strategic planning, goal-setting and prioritization skills.
• Proven effectiveness in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, donors, NGO partners and beneficiaries. Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The Position Holder will possess:

• A Post graduate degree in social sciences or related field
• At least five (5) years of experience managing peace-building and/or development projects for an international NGO or multilateral institution
• At least three (3) years of experience managing a full-time staff of 5 or more
• At least three (3) years of experience working with governments, donors and civil society organizations at the field levels
• Demonstrated knowledge of US Government donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding
• Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience
• Demonstrated budgeting, proposal writing, and grants management skills
• Experience living and working in Nigeria
• Spoken and written fluency in English
• Familiarity with dialects of North Central Nigeria would be a bonus

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Summary of Position

The Finance and Admin Assistant will ensure financial and administrative management in SFCG’s Maiduguri office. S/he will report to the Admin/Finance Manager in Jos. 

Responsibilities

The Finance and Admin Assistant’s duties will include but not be limited to:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date  records of grant disbursements;
• Prepare timely financial reports for donors and project management;
• Assist the Finance and Administration Manager in maintaining systems to manage sub-grants and other financial relationships with partners according to donor and SFCG policies;
• Accurately and promptly process all accounting transactions, including payroll and operating expenses, procurement, travel, consultant payments, vendor payments, charge backs and other operational expenses;
• Review general ledger accounts regularly to ensure accurate postings;
• Advise the finance unit on  the status of Grants payables;
• Maintain consistency in the application of accounting rules and procedures, including safeguarding of cash and checks;
• Provide technical assistance to the finance staff of partners (as needed) on keeping books of accounts and ensuring the efficient utilization of project funds through  SFCG’s internal control system;
•    Assist with financial tasks such as ensuring proper documentation of vouchers and receipts, financial reporting, proper coding of expense, distribution payment, tracking petty cash distribution, and bank deposits; and
• Prepare and participate in internal and external audits, as required.

 As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Minimum Qualifications

The Position Holder will possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in finance or accounting;
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience as an accountant;
• Knowledge of Nigerian laws on labour, procurement, and severance issues;
• Knowledge of US government donor rules and regulations would be a bonus;
• Computer literacy and word-processing skills essential, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and other accounting software;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to prioritize a complex workload, handling multiple tasks and competing demands;
• A commitment to the aims and values of SFCG; and the ability to identify and solve problems on an immediate basis

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Summary of Position

The Logistics Assistant will provide the main logistical support to the Maiduguri Office, liaising closely with finance and administrative staff to ensure good recordkeeping, as well as liaising with the housekeeping staff to support the smooth functioning of the office. S/he will report to the Finance and Admin Assistant.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities for the Logistics Assistant include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate with the Finance and Admin Manager to determine short and long-term office needs (supplies, equipment, operations) and ensure an operational budget is developed;
• Liaise with the building owner and other operational contacts such as vendors, suppliers and courier services to keep the office fully functional;
• Coordinate package delivery and pickup-up;
• Order and maintain adequate inventory of office supplies and all office equipment;
• Ensure that the door security system and key management is functioning properly;
• Manage the telephone/intercom system,
• Provide logistical support for meetings and conferences on-site and off-site;
• Provide orientation for new staff, visitors or consultants on the use of general office equipment and other office systems;
• Develop and oversee workplace safety protocols, including management of the security company;
• Liaise with the Operations Department in Headquarters on safety planning and inventory updates etc.;
• Respond to general emails and forward to the appropriate members of staff
• Maintain office equipment and oversee repairs;
• Manage the office fleet and approve any private vehicle hire;
• Oversee vehicle repairs;
• Maintain office logs on travel, inventory and fuel usage for generator, vehicles etc.; and
• Prepare travel arrangements, relevant documentation (tickets, visas etc.) and any necessary travel materials (meeting confirmations, background or reference confirmations) for staff and consultants to and from the Maiduguri office;
• Liaise with logistics staff in other NGOs to ensure up-to-date security information about operations in Borno State and report regularly to Project Manager;
• Prepare and submit a monthly logistics report on the above;

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Minimum Qualifications 

The Position Holder will possess:

• A minimum of two years’ professional experience carrying out administrative, logistical and/or operational tasks (preferably in a non-profit or NGO setting);
• A Bachelor’s Degree;
• Fluency in written and spoken English; fluency in Hausa and/or Kanuri would be a bonus
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral;
•    Interest in SFCG’s mission and work;
• The ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and on tight deadlines;
• Experience working in conflict-sensitive zones of Nigeria;
• Computer literacy proficiency, including solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; and using the Internet for research;
• The ability to work independently;
• The ability to identify and solve problems on an immediate basis;

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Summary of Position

The Media Assistant will support the management and implementation of the media aspects of SFCG’s projects in North Central Nigeria (Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Bauchi). S/he will be based in Jos and will report to the Communications and Learning Manager.

Responsibilities

Duties for the Media Assistant include but are not limited to:

• Work with the Communications and Learning Manager and Project Manager to plan and implement media activities ;
• Support the  day-to-day media activities of SFCG’s programs, including planning, logistics, and oversight;
• Support  the partner organization, Mambissa Amistados, to produce and broadcast of the Musical drama, Dan Fulani: I follow the Green Grass and other Radio and television programming;
• Work with the Communication and Learning Manager and Media Partner to develop discussion guides that can be used during the Mobile Cinema-dialogue outreach, including both facilitation guides and edited synopses of the series on DVD;
• Work with the Communication and Learning Manager to negotiate with Radio and television channels to broadcast SFCG programs, as well as to market and distribute media products via traditional and new media;
• Work with SFCG’s Communications Department to ensure project media is shared internally and externally;
• Support partners in  the training of journalists in conflict-sensitive journalism;
• Work with the DME Manager to develop tools for tracking and evaluating media activity and participate in data collection, as requested;
• Compile and submit monthly Media Activity Reports;
• Meet regularly with Communication and Learning Manager and the Project Manager to review progress of projects against project objectives, indicators and deliverables, and give meaningful input and recommendations into the project management and institutional learning;
• Travel to communities regularly to ensure media projects are on track and to troubleshoot as needed;
• Facilitate press conferences and prepare draft press releases and statements for the Country Director; and
• Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organisation, its mission, and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge.

Note: As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Minimum Qualification for the Position

The Position Holder will possess:

• A minimum of three (3) years of work experience in design and implementation of media programs;
• At least two (2) years of technical experience in creating and hosting radio programs;
• A Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Theater Arts or a related field;
• Demonstrated technical capacity to provide support and guidance to project staff on design and implementation of radio, television and other media programs;
• Ability to successfully facilitate using participatory methods;
• Professional knowledge and experience in using and applying social media in programming;
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and impartiality;
• The ability to work independently and effectively in a team environment;
• A proven track record of being proactive;
• The ability to multi-task and work to meet tight deadlines;
• Proficient inuse ofMicrosoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, e-studio as well as web browsers;
• Fluency in English, both verbally and in writing;
• Knowledge of Fulani, Hausa and Kanuri would be a bonus; and
• The ability to travel extensively in the northern Nigeria.

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Summary of Position

The Driver will operate the SFCG-Maiduguri Office car to support project activities in Borno State and the North East.

Responsibilities

The duties of the Driver include but are not limited to:

• Transport SFCG and partner staff to meetings, project sites and other official errands according to Nigeria’s driving laws;
• Verify the condition of vehicles before and after each use;
• Maintain and clean the office fleet;
• Notify the Logistics and Administration Officer  when vehicle  repairs are needed;
• Keep detailed records of journeys and fuel usage;
• Correctly and routinely fill out the driving log; and

Note: As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Minimum Qualification for the Position

The Position Holder will possess:

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a professional driver; experience working for an international organization would be a bonus
• A valid Nigerian driver’s license ;
• Experience maintaining and repairing vehicles;
• Willingness to travel across the State and country, even on short notice;
• The willingness to work evenings and weekends;
• Spoken fluency in English and Hausa; fluency in Kanuri would be a bonus;
• Good level of written English
• A proven track record of being punctual, reliable and respectful of confidentiality.
• Street-wise and security conscious.