Program Manager (Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation in Northwest Nigeria) at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic and market development, and conflict mitigation.
• With the insurgency spilling over from the Northeast of Nigeria and causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs.
• With funding from institutional donors, foundations, and private corporations, Mercy Corps continues to assist to meet the basic needs of vulnerable populations in the areas of food security, shelter, water and sanitation, protection, and livelihoods.
• Northwest Nigeria is currently experiencing a complex crisis and high violence perpetrated by numerous armed actors, including clashes between farmers and herders, criminal gangs, and non-state armed groups.
• This large-scale violence is fueled by a spiral of attacks and retaliations affecting a significant part of the population. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives each year since 2018, causing substantial losses of assets, weakening institutional and socioeconomic infrastructures, and leaving communities without livelihoods. Over 200,000 people have fled their homes, and approximately 60,000 fled to the neighbouring Niger Republic.
• From 16 November-30 December 2021 recorded a displacement of 969,757 people in the Northcentral and Northwest geopolitical zones. 39% of the affected population was from the Northwest, of which 18% were from Katsina representing the highest percentage of the affected States.

General Position Summary

• This role will support the implementation of the EU-funded pilot program titled ‘Conflict mitigation and community reconciliation in Northwest Nigeria. The project will be implemented through a Consortium led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Mercy Corps (MC), and the Center for Democracy and Development( CDD)
• Katsina has been experiencing multiple dimensions of conflict, including farmer-herder strife, and acts of Banditry. While the conflict has many factors, it is rooted in the increased competition over land tenure and mismanagement of natural resources. The lack of or unimplemented policy frameworks on land access, resource use, and weak dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as a broader absence of social protection, have created a vacuum contributing to lawlessness and conflict.
• The conflict had its epicentre in Zamfara, however, with a false narrative, the subsequent mobilization of vigilante groups along ethnic and community lines and impunity, and increased access to light weapons, the conflict escalated to Katsina.
• Coupled with repeated and lethal cycles of communal violence and wider human rights violations and abuses, especially against women and girls.
• This proposed pilot project will complement the Government's efforts in conflict mitigation and community reconciliation by promoting an inclusive peace-building process in Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, and Kankara LGAs in Katsina State.
• The project’s overall objectiveis to reduce community violence, promote locally-driven peace initiatives, and mitigate conflicts over natural resources in Katsina State of Northwest Nigeria.
• The project will contribute to strengthening the capacity of communities and local governments to manage their resources sustainably; reinforce their social cohesion; and build more resilient households and societies through the establishment of dialogue mechanisms inclusive of all social groups and authorities, provision of mental health and psychosocial support and the strengthening of the local governance system
• The Programme Manager (PM) will provide overall leadership, technical oversight, management, and strategic vision of the project while managing staff and resources to ensure that the program is on time, on scope, and within budget.
• The PM will supervise key program staff and ensure high program quality. She/He will be responsible for ensuring strict adherence to internal Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor rules and regulations.
• The PM will be Mercy Corps’ focal point between consortium partners and external with relevant government entities, partners, other implementers, and external stakeholders.
• The PM will work closely with the Director of Programmes, the program team, and support departments to ensure effective program coordination and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance, and accountability

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy and Vision:

• Contribute to Mercy Corps Nigeria countrywide and regional conflict management, peacebuilding, and governance strategy development
• Contribute to the collective vision and direction for the Northwest project to achieve the highest level of impact.
• Ensure high quality of the project through innovation, active pursuit of lessons learned, adaptability to changing dynamics, and integration of related programming for increased impact.
• Collaborate with other internal agency units to drive forward quality and innovation of MCN conflict management programming in NW Nigeria.

Programme Management & Quality Oversight:

• Provide leadership and strategic vision to conflict mitigation technical components of the project, including work plan development, conflict and stakeholder analysis, mediation, peacebuilding, civic engagement and advocacy training and partnerships selection and management, and overall sector strategy.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement and trust-building activities abide by governance and conflict best practices including Do No Harm and are conflict sensitive.
• Ensure the program is on time, on scope, and within budget
• Structure his/her team to ensure that all program aspects meet the highest programmatic standards and adhere to industry norms/regulations.
• Maintain regular communication and coordination with the consortium partners and external organizations to ensure leveraging of each organization’s technical expertise and connections in NW Nigeria.
• Work with HQ and field experts to design robust implementation strategies for each component of the program.
• Ensure the monitoring of all grant agreements for compliance with Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor/government/external rules and regulations.
• Oversee the performance of consultants and contractors.
• Set up and maintain a strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning system to ensure that all program aspects are documented and archived according to internal/donor requirements
• Ensure the program is in alignment with Mercy Corps’ principles, values, and the program’s strategic plan.
• Ensure all program management minimum standards are met (including risk management, and issues management).
• Ensure optimal integration of all program components for maximum impact.
• Coordinate the implementation of program activities in all locations; ensure implementation of activities is on-time, on-scope, and on budget using effective management systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely reporting according to Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
• Identify and manage links with existing and planned donor interventions that promote governance and peacebuilding in target communities in Kastina State.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values, and strategic plan.
• Ensure effective technical oversight and collaboration with others to implement the project activities.
• Support the design and implementation of relevant surveys, need assessments, data, and information collection for ongoing monitoring and learning.
• Organize and conduct monitoring visits to the project sites and host visitors and donors, as needed.

Team Management:

• Create a work atmosphere of mutual respect conducive for professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.
• Implement, and ensure all staff members are effectively using the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations, and regularly providing constructive feedback.
• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees and ensuring that supervisory staff personnel does the same.
• Recruit new program staff as necessary, and ensure that program staff receives necessary inductions and training (including program management certification where required).
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes
• Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance.
• Proactively develop and implement budget scenarios at key program implementation stages to ensure timely spending of funds by donor requirements.
• Ensure all internal and external reports are produced to donor and Mercy Corps standards.

Programme Support:

• Coordinate with program, finance, and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities (including logistics, procurement, security, administration, and human resources).

Influence & Representation:

• Represent Mercy Corps to government, donors, NGOs, and other relevant events at the national and regional levels. Coordinate activities with partners, government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps global staff.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Design and pursue research initiatives designed to increase the evidence base around Mercy Corps conflict management, peacebuilding, and governance programming, and other related areas.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Work closely with Mercy Corps Nigeria country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.

Accountability To Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Mercy Corps NW project team.

Accountability Reports Directly to:

• Director of Programmes. Works directly with Program teams, Finance Department, MEL, Operations, Security, Program Quality Team (PaQ) Global TSU Peace and Governance team.

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/M.SC or equivalent experience in international relations, development, management, peacebuilding, or another relevant field.
• Strong management skills, with good knowledge of relevant cross-cultural issues.
• Five years of management experience in progressively responsible positions, preferably in conflict management, peacebuilding, and/or governance technical areas.
• Experience leading the implementation of multi-sector integrated programs, with particular expertise in dialogue, women’s and youth empowerment, transitional justice, and advocacy approaches.
• Ability to work independently in the field and show initiative.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively with team members.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to develop good relationships with a wide range of actors required.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local stakeholders, host government officials, and local and international partners
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is a plus.

Success Factors

• A successful Program Manager will combine exceptional management skills and technical peacebuilding expertise. S/he will be able to develop, implement and manage a large, multi-sectorprogram.
• S/he will have a strong spirit of participatory management and mentorship, with a strong ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel and build the capacity of individual staff and teams.
• The PM will have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and process information for effective adaptive management simultaneously across multiple programs.
• The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

• The position is based in the Kastina metropolis, Kastina State and it requires frequent travel to other project field locations, as well as Abuja.
• Considering the frequent travel from/to different field locations, this position will require flexibility in term seems of accommodation and logistics.
• Housing in the field will be in hotels or guesthouses where available. Security in the field location requires additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously. Access to good medical services in the field is limited.
• Phone communication, internet, electricity, and water are available but might be erratic.
• The location is not eligible for hardship and R&R benefits. Given the nature of the response, working hours require flexibility, and working through weekends/evenings might be necessary.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges.
• We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
• We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

• Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.
• We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all.
• We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics:

• Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members.
• As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Salary Level
Grade Level 7.