Program Manager, Democracy & Governance at The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA)

The successful candidate will possess deep knowledge of governance and political systems, exceptional program management skills, and the ability to drive impactful engagement with citizens, institutions, and policymakers.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all Democracy & Governance programs, including elections, legislative advocacy, digital democracy, and civic participation.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects to ensure alignment with organizational goals and donor requirements.
• Manage program budgets, workplans, and performance metrics.
• Supervise a team of program officers and ensure quality delivery through mentoring and support.
• Build partnerships with key stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and development partners.
• Represent Yiaga Africa at high-level meetings, forums, and media engagements.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of research, policy briefs, and knowledge products related to democracy and governance.
• Support resource mobilization through proposal development and donor engagement.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting obligations.
• Innovate new program approaches in response to emerging democratic trends and challenges.

COMPETENCIES

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and models the values of Yiaga Africa.
• Promotes the vision and mission of the organization.
• Embraces diversity and inclusion.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s political and governance context.
• Excellent knowledge of global and regional democracy and governance trends.
• Ability to influence policy and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagements.

Managerial Competencies:

• Proven track record in managing people, budgets, and donor-funded projects.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of experience working on democracy and governance issues, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Advanced degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, International Relations, or a related field.
• Experience managing multi-donor funded projects with demonstrated impact.
• Strong understanding of elections, legislative engagement, civic innovation, and/or digital democracy.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and building partnerships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools.

Language Requirements: 

Fluency in written and spoken English. Proficiency in French and/or another Nigerian language is an advantage.