Project Manager-STEER at Save The Children

Role Purpose

• As a member of the STEER Team, The Project Manager, will be responsible for working closely with the STEER technical team to achieve the strategic objectives of the project - focusing primarily on project-related planning and implementation, timely and accurate reporting to the DCOP, providing technical support to staff and partners.
• The Project Manager will work as part of the project management team led by the Chief of Party, maintaining relationships with all program staff and fostering linkages and mutual benefit where possible.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to the project team as it relates to the planning, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation of the project.
• Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources.
• With support from the MEAL department, support the development and implementation of strong MEAL systems using STEER tools and resources to maximize project impact on project participants.
• Continuously support the professional development of his/her team by providing clear orientation, feedback and learning opportunities.
• Maintain up to date documentation related to project approval, monitoring and implementation.
• Prepare and submit required donor project narrative reports, quarterly performance indicator tracking tables, as well as other reports needed/required by donors, and SCI headquarters Abuja.
• Prepare short success stories and briefs on innovation/best practices.
• Support the regular mapping of STEER program activities as well as regular updating as needed.
• Represent STEER Project in coordination and cluster meetings.
• Ensure that STEER maximizes impact on communities through coordination with other actors providing complementary services.
• Regularly communicate project progress, major issues and security incidents to the immediate supervisor and Security focal point, as appropriate.
• Ensure proper grant management, review of partner work plans, budgets and liquidations in coordination with the Program/Award and Finance.
• Coordinate with operations staff for purchasing and inventory control as per SCI/donor requirements.
• In collaboration with the finance/Award teams, review and analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of budgets.
• Ensure that all equipment and supplies in Field Office are maintained in a safe and secure manner.
• Any other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements, Skills & Experience
Essential:

• Master's Degree in Social Science, Education, International relations, International Development or related field.
• Five years’ demonstrated experience in managing, coordinating and supervising a team working with local community organizations, families and communities.
• At least five years demonstrated skills in project design, implementation and reporting, preferably for USG-funded programs.
• Demonstrated ability with project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, supervision and performance management, etc.
• Ability to lead a multi-cultural team with a high level of respect for local culture.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and management and leadership skills.
• Experience with capacity strengthening and partnership building.
• Experience in vulnerability assessments, beneficiary registration, distributions, monitoring and evaluation in emergency situations preferred.
• Experience in business development/proposal development, preferred.
• Experience in working with grants funded by USAID.
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments.
• Knowledge of at least three of the following areas: child protection, household economic strengthening, social protection, education, health and nutrition including HIV/AIDS care and support; social service systems strengthening, M&E; and quality improvement.

Desirable:

• Ability to work independently, but also coordinate effectively as part of a team.
• Capacity to work closely with, understand, and support local partners.
• Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals;
• Able to manage relationships to achieve results;
• Diplomacy, tact and negotiation skills;
• Strong written and spoken communication skills in English and Hausa.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point).
• Demonstrated ability to assess priorities and handle multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Good knowledge of Orphans and Vulnerable Children work guidelines in Nigeria and experience working with Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant entities.