Program Manager at FINDEF

Position Summary:

S/He is responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and management of all project activities. This individual ensures the project's alignment with donor requirements, driving efforts to combat child marriage, enhance girls’ education, and promote gender empowerment in line with the project's goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the project, ensuring all activities contribute effectively to the overarching objectives of empowering adolescent girls and combating gender-based violence and child marriage.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the project's strategy and work plans.
• Monitor project progress against key performance indicators, making data-informed adjustments to strategy and implementation as necessary.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and delivery of all program activities, ensuring they align with the project’s goals and timeline.
• Manage the field operations team, ensuring effective coordination and support for activities at the community level.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including community leaders, government officials and partner organizations, to ensure their active involvement and support for the program.
• Lead the preparation of program reports, documenting progress, challenges, and lessons learned for internal and external audiences, including donors and stakeholders.
• Lead risk management efforts, identifying potential challenges to project success and developing mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate capacity building and professional development opportunities for program staff to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
• Participate in strategic planning and review meetings, contributing to the continuous improvement and adaptation of program strategies based on emerging trends, needs, and best practices.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in International Development, Education, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in program management, ideally within the fields of child protection, gender empowerment, or education in Nothern Nigeria, with a preference for experience in Northwest Nigeria.
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects, preferably in Northwest Nigeria or similar contexts, with a proven track record of achieving results.
• Strong understanding of the socio-cultural, economic, and political context of Northwest Nigeria and the challenges faced by adolescent girls in the region.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a proven track record of motivating staff to achieve high performance.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to adapt strategies in response to changing circumstances.
• Fluency in English and Hausa, with proficiency in local languages considered a strong asset.
• Commitment to gender equality, child protection, and the empowerment of adolescent girls.