Nigerian Program Officer/Manager at Equal Access

Summary: Equal Access is looking for a Program Officer/Manager (depending on experience level) to lead innovative media for social change programs in northern Nigeria. The position to be based in Abuja, Nigeria with frequent travel to northern Nigeria. Preferred start date is April 1, 2018.

Program Manager
The Program Officer/Manager is responsible for supporting management, operations, and implementation of peacebuilding, youth, and anti-corruption related media field programs in Nigeria. The Program Officer/Manager provides program management, technical, financial and business development support to our Nigeria country programs through a wide range of field-based tasks. The Program Officer/Manager reports to the Nigeria Country Director and works with the Kano-based program team and the US-based Senior Program Manager and program, finance, and administrative staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management

• Manages CVE, youth, anti-corruption, media, and community outreach program activities, including programmatic, technical, contractual, compliance, personnel, financial, and administrative matters
• Provides CVE and governance technical support to all Equal Access Nigeria projects
• Leads collaborative design workshops with local radio and community partners on advancing the media for social change field
• Supports the design and execution of annual tech camps with youth leaders
• Mentors youth leaders and community partners
• Supports regional CVE and governance strategy
• Liaises with Equal Access programs across the Sahel
• Researches and liaises with other field and HQ staff to recommend solutions to country program teams
• Ensures all activities are conducted in accordance with EA policies and client rules and regulations
• Supports contract-related procurement, subcontracting, expenditure and budget monitoring, long-term and short-term personnel, travel, report editing and formatting, success story drafting and other relevant matters
• Applies EA policies and funder regulations to process deliverables and complete required internal forms
• Establishes and maintains field-based project electronic files and keeps filing system updated
• Maintains budget monitoring, level of effort utilization, invoices, subcontractors, expense reports, deliverables, etc. to monitor compliance with funder and EA policies.
• Documents program activities and drafts quarterly reports
• May serve as primary contact for short-term consultants on administrative items. Ensures inquiries and needs are promptly addressed to continue a positive relationship between consultants and EA.

Technical

• Support media for social change program design, including radio, television, and community storytelling activities
• Provides technical information to support projects, business development efforts, EA knowledge base and other work products as requested by supervisor and colleagues.
• Provides support in the development of work plans/GANTT charts, project frameworks and M&E plans, and ensures technical activities are implemented on time and within the allocated budget and scope of work.
• Produces work products in conformance with EA and client standards. 

Business Development

• Develops a basic understanding of international development, foreign assistance programming and EA’s present and past competencies and contributions.
• Participates on proposals by providing research, writing, budgeting, recruitment, coordination and administrative support.
• Establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients, funding agencies, government ministries, vendors, partners and consultants that serve to enhance EA’s reputation and contribute to business development opportunities.

Management and Leadership Competencies

• Communicates information in a way that demonstrates a basic understanding of development assistance work, EA’s culture, values and the specific scope and nature of assigned projects and proposal assignments.
• Participates in the recruitment process for new short- and long-term staff, including recommending promising talent and assisting in interviews and reference checks.
• Demonstrates maturity, dependability, integrity and initiative.
• Contributes positively to a work environment that emphasizes teamwork, respect for differences, accepting and giving constructive feedback.

Other Duties and Special Assignments
Performs other duties and responsibilities as required by supervisor.

Qualifications/Competency Standards

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in relevant technical competency area or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• At least 5-7 years of relevant experience supporting peacebuilding, anti-corruption, governance, CVE programs, radio, and media for social change programs
• At least three years of relevant experience managing donor-funded development programs in Nigeria
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Hausa and/or Kanuri strongly preferred
• Skilled trainer and community mobilizer
• Tech savvy and digitally active voice in social change and peacebuilding work
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Strong project and budget management and administrative skills required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook).
• Strong attention to detail, highly motivated and ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to commit to the mission and vision of Equal Access (available at www.equalaccess.org). 
• Ability to travel of up to 30% time in and around northern Nigeria (in accordance with EA policies to locations experiencing conflict and where standards of accommodation are consistent with the country context).

The following are advantageous:

• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations including the Code of Federal Regulations (22 CFR), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) and USAID’s Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR).
• Experience in managing USG or USAID grants, cooperative agreements or contracts.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation, work planning, donor reporting, marking and branding and administering sub-awards.
• Professional experience in a field or headquarters office of an international NGO.
• Experience in international development, media, community outreach-based initiatives and/or behavior change communication.