Program Manager at Edo State Co-operative Farmers’ Agency Limited (ESCFAL)

The Program Manager will play a leading role managing the project and the project team. The Program Manager will assist the President of ESCFAL in the day-to-day technical management of the project and oversight.  S/he will lead the project`s programming, manage and oversee project activities and its implementation and ensure technical operations are in compliance with USAID regulations. S/he will lead and participate in the design and development of the ESCFAL’s concept and annual work plans & budget, prepare various project reports; weekly, monthly and quarterly, design and manage a project database and use the database for tracking and detailing activities. 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
 III. Specific Duties &Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead and participate in the design and development of the cluster`s concept and annual work plans according to contract specifications, which formulate annual project activities, deliverables, and budget needs in accordance with the SACE annual planning cycle and thereby assure timely implementation of program activities and related disbursement of funds.
• The Program Manager will lead the project`s programming, manage and oversee grantee activities and its implementation and ensure technical operations are in compliance with USAID regulations
• Prepare various project reports (activity implementation reports, weekly report, monthly report quarterly reports & annual report and deliverables) as may be requested by the SACE project
• Design and manage a project database and regularly use the database for tracking and detailing activities, project outcomes and results being achieved by the cluster
• Liaise with the project team under the direction of the President to ensure that grant implementation, compliance, and procurement requirements are adhered to.
• Assist the President on all proposed budget modifications related to cluster activities.
• Review and approve procurement action requests, budgets, and invoices; oversee monitoring of activity expenses against activity budgets.
• Regularly monitor cluster project activities and performance; ensure that grant documentation is prepared and signed.

Technical capacity

• Assist the cluster to develop and implement their project strategy documents; Advocacy plan, Monitoring & Evaluation plan and Public Awareness plan.
• Prepare various project reports (activity implementation reports, weekly report, monthly report quarterly reports & annual report and deliverables as may be requested by SACE
• Assist with quality control over local service providers ensuring that deliverables are completed in a timely and cost-effective manner and meet technical requirements.
• Evaluate activities’ progress, and coordinate with assistance recipients and other staff to prepare, review and approve monitoring and evaluation data and final reports.
• Participate and lead in meeting project deliverables and deadlines.
• Assist in identifying potential cluster members and work with them to design and develop grant concepts and implement activities, through networking and outreach.
• Regularly assist the cluster to update the project outcome tracker, policy tracker and STARNET.
• Provide technical assistance to grantees and potential grantees during both the program development process and implementation process.
• Work with the project staff to assess performance of grantees and inform impact assessment of projects.
• Undertake and assume responsibility for tasks as specified by the SACE Project and/or delegated by the President.

III. Qualification and Experience

• A  bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, law, agriculture and development studies, etc,
• Five years of demonstrated experience in the agricultural sector and successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to democracy and governance activities under a U.S. government contract instrument.
• Experience in project management and budgeting, specifically in assuring procurement, disbursements, logistics, and programmatic aspects are implemented on time and according to approved specifications.
• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal and in written and oral English.
• Familiarity with USAID grants management rules and procedures
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to be able to accept and discharge substantial responsibilities, to prioritize work assignments, to meet deadlines, and to exercise professional judgment.

The Program Manager reports to and is directly supervised by the President of Edo State Cooperative Farmers Agency Limited.
This is a full-time position based in Benin, Nigeria.