Program Manager at Stand With A Girl Initiative

Position Overview

• SWAG Initiative seeks a qualified, experienced, and results-driven Program Manager to oversee the coordination, administration, and implementation of the Rise Up Together (RUT) Program in Nigeria.
• The successful candidate will serve as the primary focal point for program coordination and liaison among SWAG Initiative, the RUT team, program participants, subgrantees, country partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• The Program Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for program implementation, ensuring that activities are delivered effectively, resources are properly coordinated, and program objectives, deliverables, and reporting requirements are achieved.
• This is a dedicated position for the RUT Program. The successful candidate will be employed through SWAG Initiative, which will act as the Employer of Record, and will report to both the designated SWAG supervisor and the Rise Up Together team.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

The Program Manager will be responsible for the following:

Program Coordination and Implementation

• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of RUT program activities in Nigeria.
• Develop and monitor program work plans, activity schedules, and implementation timelines.
• Ensure program activities align with approved objectives, deliverables, and expected outcomes.
• Coordinate program meetings, trainings, workshops, and other stakeholder engagements.
• Monitor implementation progress and proactively address operational and programmatic challenges.

Participant and Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate participant recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes.
• Maintain effective communication and relationships with program participants, subgrantees, country partners, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary liaison between SWAG Initiative, Rise Up Together, and relevant program stakeholders.
• Support stakeholder engagement and collaboration to strengthen program delivery.

Grantee Support and Technical Assistance

• Coordinate the provision of technical assistance and capacity-building support to grantees.
• Conduct regular site visits and follow-ups to assess implementation progress and identify support needs.
• Track grantee activities, deliverables, and progress against agreed objectives.
• Document implementation challenges, lessons learned, and emerging opportunities.

Program Administration and Logistics

• Oversee the administrative and logistical requirements of program activities.
• Coordinate event planning, travel arrangements, procurement requests, and other operational needs in line with organizational procedures.
• Ensure effective utilization and coordination of program resources.
• Work closely with the relevant SWAG departments to facilitate seamless program operations.

Documentation, Reporting, and Communication

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date program records, documentation, and activity reports.
• Prepare and submit timely program updates, progress reports, and other required deliverables.
• Ensure effective communication with staff, funders, participants, partners, and vendors.
• Document program achievements, challenges, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Ensure that program information and documentation are accessible to relevant stakeholders.

Performance Monitoring and Accountability

• Track program implementation against approved work plans, timelines, and deliverables.
• Work collaboratively with the Monitoring and Evaluation function to ensure program activities are properly documented and monitored.
• Identify implementation gaps and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Promote accountability, transparency, and quality in program delivery.

 External relations

• Represent the Program, including identification of Rise Up Together, in local media (including radio, TV, and/or print media) and national events as needed.
• Conduct outreach to key potential partners at the local and national levels, both to generate interest in program participation and to build support and partnerships for the program.
• Work with the Rise Up Together Communications staff to help collect leader stories and advocacy accomplishments to post on our social media and website.
• Write blogs and participate in interviews with Rise Up Together Communications staff to share information about the Program in the country.
•  Develop, maintain relationships, and regular communications with key stakeholders at the community, provincial, and/or national levels.
• Participate in national task forces, working groups, or advocacy networks representing the Program and Rise Up Together with prior approval, and later communicate decisions and minutes with RUT.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate must possess:

• A Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Project Management, International Relations, or a related field is required. A Master's degree in any of these or a relevant discipline is an added advantage but not mandatory.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience working with a nonprofit organization, preferably an international nonprofit organization.
• Must be currently based in Nigeria, with the ability to undertake local and international travel as required.
• Willingness and ability to undertake local travel of up to 20% of working time.
• Demonstrable experience independently managing and coordinating projects or programs.
• Strong understanding of grassroots gender equality issues and the challenges affecting women and girls in Nigeria.
• Established working relationships with relevant stakeholders, civil society organizations, and partners working on gender equality, women's rights, and girls' empowerment in Nigeria.
• Experience participating in or leading advocacy campaigns, social mobilization initiatives, and decision-maker engagement or education.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with diverse organizations and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication and effective collaboration with an international team.
• Strong project coordination, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with data management, documentation, and program reporting.
• Strong administrative, financial tracking, budget monitoring, and financial reconciliation skills.
• Experience using web-based communication tools, digital collaboration platforms, and social media channels.
• Flexibility to accommodate varying workloads and periods requiring additional time and commitment.
• Ability and willingness to undertake international travel when required.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience using Salesforce or other Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems will be an added advantage.
• Fluency and strong proficiency in written and spoken English are required.
• Safeguarding and Ethical Commitment
• SWAG Initiative is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable persons and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment.
• The successful candidate will be expected to uphold the organization's safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), anti-harassment, and other relevant policies and standards.
• The selected candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, accountability, and the protection of program participants.