Vacancies at Save The Children Nigeria

Summary

• Save the Children is seeking a Project Director for its proposed 12-month USAID/Food for Peace-funded program in Nigeria in response to food insecurity to provide support to internally displaced and host community households in Borno State.
• In order to facilitate access to food for vulnerable displaced and host community households lacking access to agricultural lands, or with otherwise constrained income earning opportunities and reduced market access, while at the same time supporting existing food vendors, SC will target households with unconditional food voucher transfers.
• We are currently seeking a senior level Project Director to lead this critical project in Nigeria.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Impact

• The Project Director (PD) will be based in Abuja with 40-50% travel to Maiduguri to work with the Humanitarian Project Manager, and the head of Food Security and Livelihoods to provide technical and operational guidance, support monitoring and evaluation, and ensure quality of the project.
• He/she will also ensure effective financial and operational management of the project through a local partner.
• The Project Director will represent the project to the USAID Mission and Office of Food for Peace, and other key stakeholders in Abuja, including the food security technical working groups.

Required Background and Experience, Skills and Behaviors

• Minimum five years of professional experience in implementing food security programs with a minimum of two years’ experience in a leadership role in the implementation of projects relevant to food security. Prior experience implementing cash transfer programming (cash or voucher) required.
• Master’s degree in Development, Humanitarian Response, Agriculture, or related field is required.
• Experience in project implementation as well as strong managerial and operational leadership.
• Experience in managing USG funding and familiarity with federal regulations is critical.
• Previous Project Director experience is preferred.
• Prior experience living and working in conflict or emergency settings.
• Flexibility and the ability to effectively adjust expectations to on-the ground realities, while adhering to humanitarian minimum standards.
• Strength in inspiring and enabling others through teamwork, training, and capacity building to realize organizational objectives.
• Expertise in strategic communication, community mobilization, using HEA (Household Economy Approach) and other participatory methodologies.
• Experience conducting in-depth FSL assessments is desirable.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Prior regional experience in West Africa is ideal.
• Prior experience in Nigeria is preferred.
• Experience in designing and managing USAID-funded programs is preferred.

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Purpose & Scope of the Consultancy
The purpose of engaging a program consultant is to facilitate the effective completion of all Health & Hygiene Africa program activities, and support the project close out process. Specifically the program consultant when engaged will perform among other identified activities the following:

• Ensure that every activity detailed on the project workplan is completed with activity reports
• Support the asset collection team through the process, from securing consent to the documentation of success stories
• Provide programmatic support to the MEAL consultant in conducting the endline survey
• Ensure the effective filing and preservation of all project documents
• Plan high-level stakeholders close out meeting in conjunction with Advocacy team
• Support BCC consultant in the development and pretest of IEC/Teacher resource materials
• Support project schools/SBMC to strengthen their school development plans with integrated SHN components.
• Support the SHN Advisor on other key project deliverables as needed.

Skills and Competencies required

• Master's degree is preferred in education, health science, public health or social sciences. A bachelor’s degree is acceptable.
• Relevant training or proven experience in community mobilization.
• Knowledge of group facilitation and/or training experience.
• Experience in community-based nutrition and education services.
• Demonstration of ability to work with or without supervision to ensure program success in an urban/rural setting.
• Fluency in oral and written English. Working knowledge of indigenous local language (Yoruba) is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player.
• Strong communication skills, verbal and non-verbal
• Advanced Computer literacy - Microsoft office, telecommunications and email.

Key deliverables, Outputs and Expectation of this Consultancy
The Consultant will deliver the following outputs:

• Program activity reports
• Organized filing system for all project documents
• First draft of Final Project Narrative
• The program consultant will report directly to the SHN Advisor.

Duration of Consultancy:

• The program consultant will be engaged for 3-months. All key deliverables must be completed within this time frame.
• The consultant's performance will be appraised at the end of this 3-month period.

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Role Purpose

• To assume a lead technical role in developing, implementing, and maintaining effective and appropriate Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Systems for all project activities in coordination with the project management teams, and in line with SC guidelines and best practices.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Based on the project proposal, implementation plan, and donor reporting requirements, develop a system for capturing and documenting data and relevant information on project activities, beneficiaries, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, which is feasible, practical, and "user friendly", and will obtain valid and reliable information.
• Build capacity and coordinate activities of CSOs and CPCs, conduct monitoring visits, collate project indicators, analyze and document report of activities at the state level
• Ensure an effective roll-out of M&E collection and reporting systems to all staff and partners through training, site visits, manuals, and other technical support as needed. Ensure systems are well understood and properly implemented by partners.
• Develop the Complaints and Response Mechanism which will be used to monitor the projects accountability to beneficiaries.
• Help coordinate overall project review and evaluation activities as required. Including baseline survey and final evaluation as well as develop multiple case studies which will showcase project outcomes and impact at community and state level of awareness
• Facilitate monthly M&E review meetings, to be held per state for regular review of program data and development of corresponding action plans to address identified issues.
• Ensure community feedback meetings are held on quarterly basis in each community for sharing of data, report of activities and discussions on strategies to overcome barriers in service delivery
• Participate in the supportive supervision visits that will be made by SC Nigeria Project Manager, M&E Specialist or Child Protection Specialist with the Director/Deputy Director Child Protection of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at least twice within the project life.
• Work with state teams to establish reporting processes to ensure that all information and data is collected, documented, and collated in an accurate and timely manner.
• Provide on-going support to state teams, partners, and communities to maintain M&E systems; identify skill gaps that can be addressed in subsequent refresher trainings. Identify the need for additional technical support to CBO’s and to ensure effective programme delivery and coordinate the allocation of that support.
• Ensure regular reviews of the M&E system itself, making improvements as needed and recommended, in consultation with managers, staff, and partners.
• Work with the Program Manager, other state & CBO M&E Officers and Other effective programs team to ensure that state level Project system is well linked and/or integrated with overall M&E systems for the SC Nigeria Country Program.

Skills & Experience
Essential:

• Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Sociology, Public Health, Epidemiology, Education, Economics Psychology or any other social sciences
• Advanced training in quantitative methodologies, including database management.
• 3-5 years of direct experience of monitoring and evaluation related to one or more of these fields: health, girl child education, child protection, child survival and development, basic education and gender quality programming.
• Strong analytic skills and an understanding of a range of methods for monitoring, evaluation and assessment to promote evidence-based learning.
• Demonstrated ability to design, commission, and manage assessment methodologies and evaluation.
• Good understanding of media and communication.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to build support from staff across teams and across members, and to build the capacity of others.
• Proven ability to coordinate effective resource allocation to ensure quality programmes.
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities, manageable work plans and evaluate progress.
• Strong communications skills (both written and verbal). The ability to analyse complex data and summarise it for a range of different audiences.
• Experience of working within budget constraints.
• Commitment to SC Canada’s mission, values and approach (includes child protection, equal opportunities and health and safety).
• Commitment to support cross organisational initiatives.
• Commitment to team working and understanding of how to contribute.
• Ability to operate within a predominantly administratively self-servicing environment.

Desirable:

• Professional qualification at Post Graduate level in Sociology, Public Health, Epidemiology, Education, Economics Psychology or any social sciences
• Experience in international development.
• Experience in working with CBOs
• Hausa Language Speaking Proficiency

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Job Description

• The project aims to assess the impact of SHN on: (1) the school environment, particularly water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure; (2) integration of school health policies; and (3) student’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of health and hygiene focused on 4 key topics (WASH, Menstrual Hygiene Management, Oral Hygiene & Malaria).
• A school health policy exists in the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoH) to address the basic health and nutrition needs of school-age children; however, to the knowledge of Save the Children, implementation of school health and nutrition in a comprehensive manner was lacking in Lagos Island public schools.
• Save the Children has therefore worked at the school, community (SBMC and Parent forums), and local government level to develop their capacity to initiate and grow comprehensive implementation of SHN activities in Lagos Island.

Purpose of the MEAL Consultancy
The purpose of engaging a MEAL consultant is to facilitate the SHN project endline evaluation process. Specifically the MEAL consultant when engaged will perform among other activities the following:

• Develop questionnaire and other survey instruments for the endline evaluation
• Supervise the pretest of the instruments
• Prepare the design and methodology for the survey
• Conduct training of the field officers engaged for the survey
• Lead the team of data collection field officers during the survey
• Supervise all aspects of the endline survey, from tool design to data analysis, including the presentation of results.

Skills and competencies required

• A first Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Public Health or any other relevant discipline with sound background in data management.
• Experience in quantitative and contemporary statistical packages.
• Experience in conducting high quality quantitative research in schools in Nigeria;
• Experience of conducting research in the area of nutrition, public health and / or water and sanitation;
• Experience in conducting project endline evaluation or involved in similar research work.
• Competence in monitoring and evaluation report writing
• Key deliverables, outputs and expectation of this consultancy

The Consultant will deliver the following outputs:

• Endline survey instruments
• Workshop report detailing the training process for field officers, including the pilot of tools;
• Validated data entry tool/platform
• Complete data spread.
• Analyses of data on all key indicators
• Comprehensive endline report.
• The MEAL consultant will provide report directly to the MEAL Advisor, and will receive project oversight and execution support from the SHN Advisor.

Duration of consultancy

• The MEAL consultant will be engaged for 3-months. All key deliverables must be completed within this time frame. The consultant’s performance will be appraised at the end of this 3-month period.

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Role Purpose

• The LEO will contribute to Save the Children’s efforts to influence and bring about change in the awareness, attitudes, behaviours and policies related to the rights of children in the country programme and in the state of posting.

Key Areas of Accountability
Strategy Development:

• Support the development of the implementation and advocacy strategy for gender equity.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the programme objectives and initiatives, both short and long term, encompassing a wide range of issues particularly on social protection.
• Contribute to all efforts to raise/nurture CSOs and champions for programme and actively participate in all Save the Children and CSO Coalition driven activities in the state.
• Keep a watching brief on policy makers and other key players in relation to child protection issues and identify opportunities to raise awareness and influence policy change.  
• Engage with the state and local governments in policies review.

Influencing:

• Develop good knowledge of state and national government structures, parliamentary and political processes, traditional and religious structure and any other key decision making structures and how to influence them.
• Undertake a range of lobbying, communications and other activities to inform and persuade policy makers, religious/traditional leaders, community members, donors and politicians. Ensure Save the Children visibility and acceptance in the state and LGAs
• Provide support for research, analysis and documentation that underpin the development of the programme and used as evidence based advocacy to influence both at state and national levels.
• Produce reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.

Collaboration & Representation:

• Maintain a strong relationship with the Advocacy officer and other state LEOs in the states.
• Strong relationship with other partners should be maintained.
• Provide leadership to partner CSOs and maintain a strong relationship.
• Facilitate meetings of the coalition groups
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the communities, government, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
• Represent and act as a spokesperson for Save the Children at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at state level or as directed.

Programme Development:

• Support the programme team in the development of research methodologies, data analysis, M&E. report writing and publication.
• Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and advocacy strategies.
• Write regular progress reports (monthly reports of activities carried out in the state and LGAs) including annual impact monitoring reports.
• Perform other tasks, as required, to ensure the smooth running of the country programme.

Skills & Experience
Administrative & General Skills:

• The post holder will possess a high degree of analytical skill, political acumen, ability to facilitate change, ability to influence, and ability to communicate key advocacy messages effectively and convincingly to a diverse audience at local, national and international levels.

Essential:

• University Degree in Health, Education, Communications or related social science field.
• Substantial experience in child protection, advocacy and policy development / research, sexual and gender analysis and assessments in the development context.
• Good understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decision and policy makers, politicians, donors, and other key actors.
• Knowledge of the media and its role in raising awareness and shaping public policy.
• Good understanding of strategies for achieving sustainable child health, protection and education policies through participatory processes, and the links with gender, diversity and other aspects of identity.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to ensure achievement of desired change objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences at local and state levels.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, email / internet) and ability to be self-supporting in most administrative tasks.
• Fluent English and Hausa language skills (written and verbal).
• Commitment to the values, mission, aims and policies of Save the Children.

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Role Purpose
To plan and manage the delivery of project activities for a new DFID funded cash transfer programme at LGA level including targeting and enrolment of beneficiaries via community based structures, supporting the monitoring of beneficiary accountability mechanisms, post distribution monitoring and case management, nutrition behaviour change communications, advocacy and act as focal point for partnership with LGA authorities.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Objective 1: To plan and manage delivery of project activities at LGA level.
• Objective 2: Facilitate community mobilisation activities to support targeting and enrolment of beneficiaries and improved nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices.
• Objective 3: Support the development, implementation and follow-up of beneficiary accountability mechanisms.
• Objective 4: Ensure timely reporting, adherence to programme strategy and coordination within programme and with authorities at the LGA level.

Skills & Experience
Essential:

• At least a B.A. in Programme Management, Health and Nutrition, or related Social Science
• Previous experience with local and international NGOs
• Strong programme management background, including HR management
• Significant experience in planning, managing and delivering a programme, including costing, managing and monitoring budgets
• Effective resource planning
• Computer literate
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities, manageable workplans and evaluate progress
• Ability to build support from staff across teams and across members, and to build the capacity of others.
• Ability to work in partnership with government and other organizations’ staff
• Strong communications skills (both written and verbal) in English and Hausa
• Independence, adaptability and flexibility
• Commitment to team working and understanding of how to contribute
• Commitment to Save the Children mission, values and approach (includes child protection, equal opportunities and health and safety).

Desirable:

• Experience working on food security and livelihoods and nutrition programmes.

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Role Purpose  

• To lead the monitoring and evaluation of programme activities at state and LGA level for the new DFID-funded cash transfers programme, the Child Development Grant Programme.
• Ensure that all data collection, consolidation and documentation are conducted in a timely manner and consistent with DFID requirements and Save the Children guidelines and best practice

Key Areas of Accountability

MEAL Systems Development:

• Based on the project proposal, implementation plan, and donor reporting requirements, support the M&E and VFM Advisor in the development and implementation of a system for capturing and documenting data and relevant information on project activities, beneficiaries, outputs, outcomes, and impacts
• Ensure an effective roll-out of M&E collection and reporting systems at the LGA level through training, site visits, manuals, and other technical support as needed
• Conduct training for project staff on M&E in line with identified capacity needs and provide ongoing mentoring support
• Work with LGA teams to ensure that all information and data is collected, documented, and collated in an accurate and timely manner
• Contribute to regular reviews of the M&E system itself, making improvements as needed and recommended, in consultation with managers, staff, and partners

Monitoring:

• Lead on compilation of regular monthly and quarterly state level reports using data provided by LGA teams and ensure cross checking of data
• Support the program coordinators to ensure that planned activities are carried out in a way that is timely, cost effective and adheres to quality standards

Research and Evaluation:

• Coordinate with the DFID-contracted Evaluation Team for conducting of activities at state and LGA level
• Support coordination of overall project review and evaluation activities as required. This includes working with the independent Evaluation Team to coordinate mid-term and final evaluations, and supporting donor and external reviews as required

Accountability:

• Support creation of a system for ensuring that information obtained is also shared with communities, children, and other stakeholders through a regular feedback mechanism
• Ensure beneficiary accountability mechanism is logging and addressing complaints in a timely fashion. Ensure programme managers are aware of delays in acting on any complaints or information requests.

Knowledge Management & Learning:

• Compile case studies and lessons learned reports on a regular basis to share with wider programme and inform improvements in programme quality and delivery
• Analyse information about the programme and make recommendations for improvement
• Ensure key lessons and challenges are documented and shared with staff and partners.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Advanced training in quantitative methodologies, including database management.
• 3 years of direct experience of monitoring and evaluation related to one or more of these fields: health, HIV, nutrition and/ or economics.
• Strong analytical skills and an understanding of a range of methods for monitoring, evaluation and assessment to promote evidence-based learning. 
• Demonstrated ability to design, commission, and manage assessment methodologies and evaluation.
• Good understanding of media and communications.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to build support from staff across teams and across members, and to build the capacity of others.
• Proven ability to coordinate effective resource allocation to ensure quality programmes.
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities, manageable workplans and evaluate progress.
• Strong communications skills (both written and verbal). The ability to analyse complex data and summarise it for a range of different audiences.
• Experience of working within budget constraints.
• Commitment to Save the Children’s mission, values and approach (includes child protection, equal opportunities and health and safety).
• Commitment to team working and understanding of how to contribute.

Desirable:

• Professional qualification at postgraduate level or equivalent in nutrition, health economics or epidemiology
• Experience of qualitative research techniques
• Experience in international development