Social Cohesion Project Manager at Search For Common Ground’s International

Duration: One Year

Our Program

• We launched our programs in Nigeria in 2004. Now in 2017, the country program has offices in Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri, and Yola. We work with partners in target states of the country to support peaceful resolution of conflict. Each program is adapted to specific local context and conflicts, and all apply common ground tools from our toolbox.
• Search has established a permanent presence in Abuja as an operational base and all our Nigeria offices are currently supporting a host of programs with activities that include capacity building, dialogues, peace architecture, media programming, participatory theatre and collaborative joint activities.

About the Project

• The Lake Chad Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery (RESILAC) is a 4-year project developed by Action Against Hunger (AAH) in consortium with CARE and Groupe URD.
• The project aims to contribute to the economic recovery and to the strengthening of the resilience and the social cohesion of the territories of the Lake Chad basin most impacted by the Lake Chad crisis and the climate change.
• The project targets four regions (i) Cameroon, the Far North, (ii) Niger, Diffa region, (iii) Chad, Lake region and (iv) Nigeria, Borno State. Search for Common Ground (Search) is an implementing partner to AAH in Nigeria to implement the project’s pillar #1 focused on strengthening human capital, social cohesion and collective and sustainable management of natural resources in selected LGAs in Borno state.

We are searching for

• A Social Cohesion Project Manager who is responsible for providing leadership, management, technical and operational guidance to the program teams at the field level. Specifically, s/he oversees the management of the project, its budgets and coordination between program support functions as well as with other different field teams and with local partners who work in the same geographical areas.
• The position holder will ensure best utilization of resources through implementation of efficient and effective program management and compliance systems and provision of timely support and guidance to RESILAC project staff at the field level.
• In addition, this position will be responsible for ensuring program quality and effective program management, including coherence of programming and implementation of Search’s program principles within the specific program locations; oversight of field operations; representation and liaison with local authorities, partners and communities at the field level.
• The position requires an experienced conflict transformation, peace building or development expert, conversant with project management cycles and relevant experience working in conflict-affected communities.
• S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, North East and will work closely with the Country Director, DMEL Manager, Country Finance Manager, and other senior managers. S/he will also belong to the RESILAC Consortium team led by AAH-US in Nigeria, and within that structure s/he will report to the RESILAC National Project Coordinator and collaborate with other sector technical managers, leading other components of the project. The position holder will supervise Community Mobilizers, and Peacebuilding Advisor.
• This position is based in Maiduguri with frequent visits to selected working LGAs and communities in Borno.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure a conscious program approach in line with the “Common Ground” principles.
• Contribute creative ideas for program development
• Lead in the implementation of the RESILAC program pillar #1, providing sound methodological and technical support to ensure use of participatory methodologies, human rights and social cohesion and trauma healing programming approach.
• Promote a participatory approach in programming work and create space in the structure for staff participation and involvement in decision making;
• Oversee and coordinate the project resources to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building capacity of local partners and developing innovative program interventions;
• Facilitate trainings, researches, and learning of cross-cutting relevance to the program.
• Ensure that participatory systems and processes for monitoring activities, results and impact assessment at program level are in place and involves the team and partners;
• Provide continuous monitoring and support to field staff, coordinate project reviews, evaluations, and follow up implementation of evaluation findings in close collaboration with the Design, Monitoring and Evaluation (DM&E) Coordinator, key project staff, and the Head of Office North East Nigeria.
• Participate in the follow-up and update of monitoring evaluation accountability and learning (MEAL) tools, put in place by the RESILAC MEAL Manager: indicators and dashboard updates, identification of “Research & Actions” and other evaluations part of RESILAC Pillar 4 transversal activities.
• Coordinate the production of timely and quality program reports in line with SFCG, Consortium and donor requirements;
• Verify and analyze work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
• Ensure close monitoring of the political, social and security environment in project target area.
• Establishes an effective project team to implement the project’s activities, while benefiting from Search core team technical and administrative support.
• In consultation with RESILAC Technical Advisors, transfers project design into a comprehensive work plan outlining main and sub-activities and effectively delegate and manage tasks and coordinate with partners.
• Works with the project implementation staff and the RESILAC National Project Coordinator to build appropriate strategy for the rollout of the project.
• Develops regular and quarterly reports detailing progress in line with funder and Search guidelines and requirements in coordination with the RESILAC National Project Coordinator, Regional Coordination Technical Advisors and the SFCG Head of Office.
• Follows up and documents success stories and lessons learned and share them with the management on a regular basis.
• Establishes and manages partnerships both at the central and local level.
• Establishes good working relations with relevant stakeholders for the effective implementation of the project including government offices and officials at central, governorate, district and local level.

Coordination and Representation:

• Coordinate regularly with ACF and the RESILAC consortium for program strategy, synergy, coordination and effectiveness of program implementation and results.  
• Participate inter-pillars meetings put in place within the RESILAC national unit.
• Develop and maintains proactive, positive, and professional relationships with partner organizations, other NGOS, donors, clients, and key government officials, local authorities, and civil society working on relevant issues to the project.
• Represent the Head of Office North East on various INGO, Government and stakeholder meetings or platforms whenever assigned to do so.
• Maintains regular written and oral reporting to the Head of Office on key country, project, security and staff issues.
• Oversees general project HR affairs in line with Search-Nigeria guidelines and in coordination with Search Country HR and the RESILAC HR Guidelines.

Team Management and Human Resources:

• Provide leadership and oversight to program staff and all partners charged with implementing the program.
• Manage an operational team to supervise project’s activities implementation in the target area in compliance with local laws and organizational policies and procedures, including the management and evaluation of a diverse staff.
• Ensures the implementation of project on-time and within budget.
• Ensures compliance with Search Operations Manual policies and procedures.
• Provide Coaching and Counseling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

Financial Planning, Management and Compliance:

• Oversees the management of project budgets, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines in coordination with Head of Office- North East, Admin and Procurement Manager and the Country Finance Manager.
• Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the overall finance and guidance manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements;
• Carry out monthly budget versus expenditures analysis, make budget projections and keep up with the targeted burn rates for the project.
• Ensure that adequate internal control mechanisms are in place for the specific project.

Minimum Qualifications
You meet the following qualifications:

• You hold a post graduate degree or similar qualification from recognized establishment/ academic institutions in the area of Peacebuilding, International Development, Social Sciences or related field.
• Additional extensive training in at least one of the areas of SFCG thematic work- Peace building, conflict transformation and resolution is an added advantage.
• Previous experience in managing psychosocial programs with a special focus on trauma healing working in a diverse team and with community-based organizations.
• At least 4 years’ professional experience managing Social Cohesion, Peacebuilding, conflict transformation, psychosocial support and human rights advocacy programs.
• Ability and willingness to work in a stressful, unsecure environment with strict security rules and limited movements allowed.
• Strong project management skills covering different aspects such as activities planning and implementation, financial management, and partners’ coordination.
• Knowledge of and experience with conflict sensitivity and
• Previous experience in community dialogue facilitation is highly desirable.
• Strong capacity-building experience with experience in facilitating community level and stakeholder trainings.
• Excellent command of English is a must.
• Excellent reporting skills and ability to capture results.
• Highly organized and systematic with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong leadership skills – ability to motivate and manage a diverse team in a complex environment.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication and working skills, enjoys a multicultural work environment;
• Ability to work under stringent deadlines with acute attention to detail.
• Selfâ€starter with the ability to manage time effectively.
• Good working knowledge of IT tools (related software, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office and Excel).

Competencies
You are expected to be:

• Leading and supervising: Has the ability to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of SFCG. Is able to build trust within team and acts with integrity.
• Accountability: Being accountable and passing on accountability for one's own actions and those of colleagues and the organization.
• Attention to detail:  The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal - even when the object at stake is of no direct personal interest possibilities.
• Creativity: The ability to come up with original and innovative ideas and solutions, to adopt points of view outside the usual parameters.
• Focus on Quality: Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
• Learning Ability: The ability to absorb new information readily and to put it into practice effectively
• Adaptability: The ability to remain fully functional by adapting to changing circumstances (environment, procedures and people).