Director, Programs at Women for Women International

Purpose

The Director of Programs within the Nigeria Country Office is a senior manager responsible for managing country office programs to ensure the highest quality, integrity, and efficiency with regard to programming. The position line manages the Social Empowerment Manager, Economic Empowerment Manager, Monitoring & Evaluation Manager

The Director of Programs will deputize for the Country Director in her absence and is a member of the Senior Management Team. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Compliance and Grant Management

• Ensure that all aspects of the WfWl core program, including social and economic skills training, as well as grant-funded initiatives and non-core program activities, are implemented with the highest quality, efficiency, and integrity according to organizational mission and goals.
• Assume primary responsibility for managing grant deliverables and program reports required by donors and WfWl-Headquarters for all grants and special initiatives. The Director of Programs may assign other staff members as appropriate lead for specific grants but bears overall responsibility for ensuring that all grants are appropriately managed, spent before expiration in line with budgets (or modified in a timely manner), well-monitored, and that all reports are complete, accurate and submitted by deadline.
• Work closely with, and facilitate coordination amongst, the senior managers to ensure that all aspects of the program are delivered in accordance with the standards set forth in the WfWl Program Framework & Guidelines (and other associated global guidelines) as well as grant documents, and that delivery of services meets the key program outcomes of sustaining an income, wellness, decision-making, and social networks/safety nets; must be prepared to explain any differences between expected and actual program results.
• Ensure that all data collection, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on any aspects of the program is conducted according to global guidance, in a timely manner, according to the highest possible standards, and is used not only for reporting but for internal learning which translates into improved programming
• Support the Country Director and the SMT to identify new communities to serve and ensure that women who are enrolled into the program meet the selection criteria and are well briefed on their expected participation.
• Review and approve the dismissal of participants who do not meet program requirements from the program in a timely manner and that administrative and financial processes are updated accordingly.
• Ensure that all training (in life skills education, numeracy and business skills, cooperative development and vocational skills) is following the established WfWl curricula, with appropriate tailoring to the Nigeria context, and being delivered in a high-quality manner using interactive adult learning techniques and methods.
• Conduct spot-checking of all program components and activities to ensure quality and compliance with organizational program standards. This could include but is not limited to, site visits, attending trainings, holding focus group discussions, reviewing enrollment and graduation forms, verifying sponsorship payments, etc.
• Provide leadership around efforts to consistently improve the effectiveness and accountability of programming and to appropriately address challenges as they arise.
• Lead the CO in the proposal and development of innovative approaches and programming activities.  Coordinate with HQ/UK technical advisors to lead the CO team in developing and rolling out new areas of complementary programming and innovations.

Planning & Strategy Development

• Together with the Country Director, oversee the annual operational planning and budgeting for the country office, in collaboration with the local staff and HQ.
• Take a lead role in developing strategic direction for WfWl-N and participate in all strategy development for the country office and organization as required.

Financial and Human Resource Management

• Ensure that financial management of all core programming and grants is effectively conducted.
• Ensure that costs are managed in line with approved budgets.
• Review monthly financial statements and budget variance reports and work with Finance department to make any needed adjustments or corrections.
• Liaise with Finance and technical leads in HQ to recommend and draft any formal budget amendment requests to donors.
• Lead the development of new grant proposal budgets with the support of other senior managers..
• Participate in the recruitment, hiring and on-boarding of all programmatic managerial level positions.
• Participate in Senior Management Team meetings and other staff meetings as required.
• Manage performance of all direct reports in line with WfWl's performance management framework, including setting of annual performance objectives, annual performance development plans, annual performance appraisal and regular one-on-one meetings regarding progress throughout the year.

Fundraising and Representation

• Assist the Country Director in developing fundraising opportunities, writing proposals, and cultivating new donor relationships.
• Assist the Country Director in maintaining good working relationships with local and international partners, donors, relevant government agencies, and community leaders and groups.
• Participate in meetings and seminars both nationally and internationally, as requested by Country Director.
• In the absence of the Country Director, manage the country office and lead and represent the organization to external audiences and stakeholders.
• Any other duties as required.

Skills and Qualifications

• Legally able to work in Nigeria; 
• Master’s Degree in international development, social sciences, business administration, or relevant field. Bachelor’s Degree will be considered in lieu of Master’s Degree if the candidate has at least 10 years of relevant work experience at a managerial level;
• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience, preferably in the NGO sector, of which at least 5 years at managerial level/  
• Demonstrable understanding and experience of gender issues and proven commitment to addressing gender inequalities in all key areas of responsibility;
• Strong dedication to supporting women’s grassroots social, economic and civic organizations;
• Proven experience of using participatory tools and methodologies for program identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing budgets, financial reporting, grant proposal writing, managing implementation of grants (programmatic and financial) and donor reporting;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and teambuilding skills;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to make independent decisions;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and motivate a team of people through a participatory and enabling management style;
• High level of maturity and cultural sensitivity;
• Knowledge of the political, economic and social context of Nigeria;
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Nigeria and the region, and internationally as required;
• High level of fluency in English required (reading, writing and speaking skills);
• Fluency in Hausa language is an added advantage
• Strong computer skills including working with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and MS Outlook.