Program Manager (Kaduna) at PACT

Project Summary

Pact seeks a Program Manager for an anticipated project that aims to reduce health risks in mining communities in some selected states in the North through engagement with national and state ministries of health to create an enabling policy environment around health issues in the mining sector. The program also aims to strengthen access to medical care for health-related issues in the mining sector and raise awareness in mining communities of health implications related to mining. This project covers Kaduna and Zamfara States, frequent travels to both project sites are required.

Position Summary

This position is contingent on award of funding. The Program Manager will oversee and guide the implementation of all project activities. S/he will serve as the primary point of contact to the donor, Government authorities at national and local levels, and other key stakeholders. S/he will lead the development and delivery of program trainings and technical assistance and ensure the technical quality of all project activities. S/he will oversee financial management of the project. The Program Manager will be responsible for quality monitoring, evaluation, and learning to ensure success of this program.

Key Responsibilities

Technical and Management Leadership

• Responsible for the overall technical direction of the project and management of project activities, providing leadership to the project team to ensure high quality programming to achieve project results.
• Serve as the project’s primary liaison with, partners, governments, and other key project stakeholders.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and operating budget) and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and reports).
• Conduct community mobilization activities for health assessment; awareness raising and; capacity strengthening activities in state and local health agencies to sustainably address health risks suffered by mining communities in focal states.
• Engage government of Nigeria, civil society, private sector, and other key stakeholders at the state level on health issues impacting mining populations.
• Oversee the assessment of health service provider’s capacity and delivery in LGAs with mining activities.

• Ensure regular reporting for both internal and donor purposes is completed to a high standard and in a timely manner. This will include providing monthly internal reports to the supported by key evidence.

Partnership

• Focal person for donor engagement for the project.
• Interfacing with the key stakeholders in both states including the Relevant Ministries and agencies.  
• Develop and maintain cordial working relationships with key stakeholders, including community members and representatives, local government authorities, ARRA, UN agencies, and other stakeholders. 
• Ensure excellent collaborative working relationships with partners. Manage relationship, negotiations and intensive communication efforts with partner in all phases of grant/project implementation.

Budgeting, Financial Planning and Compliance

• Ensure that systems are in place for the management of equipment and local procurement activities in support to grant/project successful implementation.
  • Ensure grant/project management compliance with donor regulations and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
  • Ensure project expenditures are timely and appropriate, as well as in line with financial plans.
  • Ensure the review and timely submission of financial reports by partners working in close coordination with the finance team.
  • In collaboration with the finance unit, review and analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of grant/project budgets.
• Manage project budgets, including timely expenditure control, budget follow-ups in consultation with technical focal points in programs and finance.
• Work with focal persons in grants and finance to support timely financial reporting to donor.

Monitoring Evaluation and Learning

• Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation of projects and interventions, working with relevant MERL staff to coordinate and roll out MERL systems, including baseline needs assessments and ensuring adequate monitoring, documentation and reporting of activities against all indicators.
• Facilitate project learning reviews to support refinement of project models and activities for scale-up
• Participate in relevant knowledge networks to facilitate sharing of best practices 
• Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's Degree in Public Health or other relevant degrees. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 8 years of field-based work experience in a program/project with an international NGO, with preferably at least 4-5 years in a management position working in a health based program.

• Demonstrated ability to represent the organization at coordination meetings with donors, host government, and other national and international NGOs.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions with limited or incomplete information and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong representation and relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally, and foster compromise and win-win solutions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities.
• Able to spend time in an environment where everyday comforts are not readily available.
• Ability to function well in a stressful environment, stay focused, and maintain sufficient work life balance with limited options for downtime activity.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age