Governance Manager - Internal Only at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview / Summary

• The Governance Manager will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the implementation of governance programming across multiple grants within the IRC Nigeria Country Program. 
• The role is responsible for ensuring the effective integration of governance and power approaches across sectors, including Health, Nutrition, WASH, ERD, and Protection.
• The Governance Manager will lead day-to-day supervision of governance teams, manage program delivery, oversee grant implementation and compliance, and ensure strong stakeholder engagement at all levels. 
• The position requires a dynamic and experienced professional capable of promoting accountability, strengthening systems, and fostering inclusive governance practices while ensuring high-quality program implementation, budget management, and reporting.

Responsibilities
Program Management & Development:

• Develop and implement detailed work plans, spending plans, and procurement plans, along with supporting systems, to ensure timely delivery of project outputs and achievement of targets.
• Contribute to the design and development of proposals, budgets, and concept notes in close coordination with the Governance lead.
• Support the effective implementation of the Power Integration Strategy for the Nigeria Country Program, ensuring alignment across governance and sectoral interventions.
• Collaborate closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to track performance, ensuring that power-related indicators and targets are achieved and documented.
• Produce timely, high-quality, and results-based reports, including annual work plans, monitoring and tracking matrices, implementation plans, and other required project narratives and updates.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including government institutions, legislators, international and local NGOs, as well as women’s and youth organizations, to support policy influence and program impact.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits across all intervention locations to ensure program quality, compliance with standards, and alignment with donor requirements.

Grants Management and Reporting:

• Assist with the overall management and oversight of grants, including the development and maintenance of detailed work plans, spending plans, and procurement plans for all projects.
• Actively participate in Grant Opening, Mid-Term Review, and Closing meetings, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and IRC standards.
• Prepare and submit high-quality internal and external reports within agreed timelines, using IRC and donor-approved formats and guidelines.
• Ensure the effective implementation and use of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems throughout the lifecycle of governance projects, promoting data-driven decision-making and accountability.
• Oversee project budget management by regularly reviewing Budget vs. Actual reports, weekly consolidated reports, and expenditure tracking sheets.
• Work in close collaboration with the Finance and Supply Chain teams to ensure accurate financial reporting, timely procurement, and compliance with organizational and donor policies.
• Identify and proactively address risks related to budget utilization, grant compliance, and reporting to ensure smooth project implementation.

Staff Management, Learning & Development:

• Support the recruitment of national staff in coordination with the Human Resources Department, ensuring transparent and merit-based processes.
• Maintain up-to-date job descriptions, participate in interviews, and ensure comprehensive onboarding and orientation of new staff to IRC systems, values, and the Governance program.
• Provide strong leadership, supervision, and technical guidance to Governance team members through regular check-ins, performance feedback, and supportive mentoring.
• Set clear performance objectives, conduct regular performance reviews, and support staff through coaching, mentoring, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Identify capacity gaps and design targeted learning and development initiatives to strengthen staff competencies and program delivery.
• Deliver and facilitate capacity-strengthening activities for staff and community structures on advocacy, stakeholder engagement, accountability mechanisms, and community liaison approaches.
• Provide ongoing technical support to field teams to enhance effective community engagement, representation, and inclusive participation strategies.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and adherence to IRC’s principles, safeguarding standards, and professional ethics.

 
Representation & Coordination:

• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with government entities, community leaders, civil society organizations, donors, UN agencies, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent IRC in coordination platforms, technical working groups, community meetings, and stakeholder forums, as delegated.
• Support the design and implementation of advocacy initiatives, including events, campaigns, policy dialogues, and community engagement activities.
• Strengthen IRC’s visibility and reputation through effective, professional representation and proactive stakeholder engagement.
• Facilitate clear, consistent communication and collaboration between IRC and community structures to enhance program acceptance, participation, and access.
• Provide capacity building and technical support on governance and power integration for designated focal persons, while monitoring their activities and tracking progress.
• Promote knowledge sharing and system strengthening by supporting local partners, government institutions, and community groups to build sustainable governance structures.
• Collaborate closely with IRC’s emergency response teams to integrate governance and power approaches into emergency programming through context analysis, stakeholder mapping, and relevant assessments.

Qualification / Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development, Public Administration, Law, Project Management, or other relevant field; or Minimum three (3) years of experience in governance programming, social accountability, public administration, institutional development, public-sector capacity building or related technical areas.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of governance and power integration in service delivery, particularly Health, Nutrition, WASH, ERD, and Protection
• Experience with Systems Strengthening approaches such as Organizational Development (OD), Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA), Community Scorecards, and durable solutions.
• Proven ability to work effectively with government institutions, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders, demonstrated ability to negotiate and partner with communities, civil society, and government representatives.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in written and spoken Hausa and Kanuri is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% of the time, including field locations.