Associate Manager, Programs & Partnership Support at Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL)

Role Purpose

• The Associate Manager, Programs & Partnership Support is instrumental in ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality educational programs that impact children’s learning outcomes in Nigeria. S/He provides overarching support to the Country Director – Nigeria and coordinates and manages TaRL Africa programs and partnerships in Nigeria. This includes providing direct support to the programmatic, operational and financial functions of the country office, as well as partners such as government and NGOs, including in states where TaRL Africa does not have teams. This role also entails contributing to strategic planning and supporting organizational management.
• The Associate Manager, Programs & Partnership Support will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that program objectives are met efficiently and effectively. In conjunction with the Regional Programs Manager for West and Central Africa (WCA), the Associate Manager, Programs & Partnership Support, will also identify opportunities for growing and strengthening TaRL programming in the country and drive the development of new programs and partnerships in the country.
• The Associate Manager, Programs & Partnership Support forms part of the Nigeria Country Management Team and reports directly to the Country Director. S/He oversees a team of coordinators and associates to support the work in the country. The position location is Abuja, Nigeria. The role will require significant travel across Nigeria and occasional travel within Africa. The position may require adjusting work hours based on the time zone.

Major roles and responsibilities

Program and Partnership Support (40%)

• Technical knowledge of the program: develop sound understanding and expertise on the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach, working with government and scaling-up programs; share technical recommendations with teams and support technical decision-making
• Fundraising: Collaborate with the Country Director and the central team, to support and enhance fundraising efforts which include but are not limited to:
  • Identify and recommend new funding opportunities aligned with TaRL Africa’s strategy.
  • Assist in drafting and reviewing grant proposals, ensuring alignment with donor priorities and compliance with grant requirements.
  • Ensure that all grants are managed according to organisational policies, including budget monitoring, reporting, and compliance.
• Quality Assurance: Provide strategic and quality assurance support to the state teams regarding financial health, operational effectiveness, program delivery, and sustainability.
• Program Development: Oversee the creation and management of new programs and partnerships, ensuring alignment with TaRL Africa’s mission and proper planning and budgeting.
• Program Strengthening: Support and guide state programs with program review, annual objectives and annual planning.
• Partner Management: Build and maintain relationships with partners, ensuring consistent, high-quality support. Support training and outreach as required.
• Coordination: Lead coordination efforts between different departments to ensure smooth operational flow and alignment of program activities.

Support to TaRL Ecosystem (20%)

• Evidence on TaRL: Engage in education evidence and experiences to strengthen TaRL Africa’s work. Stay informed of industry trends and developments that may impact program activities.
• Tools and Processes: Create and review tools and processes to manage partnerships and programs more efficiently and effectively. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and local regulations across all program activities.
• Support to Country Director (20%): Provide overarching support to the Country Director, including but not limited to:
  • Assist in preparing reports, presentations, and communication materials for senior management and stakeholders.
  • Represent the Country Director in internal and external meetings when necessary, ensuring accurate reporting and communication of program priorities.
  • Provide timely updates to the Country Director on program progress, challenges, and growth opportunities.
  • Develop country work plans and budgets.
  • Contribute to the team’s organisation’s strategic planning processes, helping to set long-term goals for program growth and sustainability.

Team Leadership and Management (20%)

• Team Oversight: Lead, motivate, and support the C&T Coordinator, Program Coordinator (BAY) and Field Associate (JSS), with the potential for the team to grow.
• Goal Setting and Monitoring: Set clear objectives, conduct regular meetings, and provide performance assessments and feedback.
• Development and Training: Implement development plans, foster a culture of continuous learning, and ensure ongoing training opportunities for team members. Ensure the team is empowered and confident on the TaRL approach.
• Country Team Support: Support the Country Director in identifying team needs and supporting team recruitment and training as and when required. 

Minimum Requirements 

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, International Development, Education, or a related field (MPA, MPP, etc.).
• At least six (6) years of experience coordinating and managing medium to large-scale programs
• Experience working with donors, government agencies, policymakers, and researchers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong skills in Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Google Suite

Key Competencies

• Program Management: Proven ability to manage large-scale programs and ensure alignment with organisational objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with donors, partners, and community leaders.
• Grant Writing: Experience in drafting and submitting successful grant proposals and managing grant-related reporting.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyse complex information and develop innovative strategies for program growth and sustainability. Ability to deal with ambiguity, cope with change, and comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Leadership: Strong team leadership skills, with a focus on motivating staff and ensuring accountability. Ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams at a variety of levels.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Ability to use data and insights to inform strategic decisions and enhance program impact.
• Organisational management: Ability to effectively coordinate and oversee the day-to-day operations of an organisation or program. Proven ability to handle multiple diverse assignments at one time, successfully complete assigned tasks and meet deadlines while conducting high-quality work.
• Financial management: Ability to provide strategic oversight of an organisation’s financial resources to ensure sustainability and accountability.
• Communication: Ability to communicate technical research to policymakers in a non-technical manner.