Program Officer - Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) at Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)

Background

• The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) is the first national-level body of its kind tasked with applying behavioural insights and other innovative policy tools in Africa to improve the design and implementation of government policies and programmes in Nigeria through lessons from behavioural and social science as well as other policy tools.
• We work with public bodies, the private sector, NGOs and the international community, to provide evidence for design and implementation of programs and policies.
• The PIC is an initiative within the Nigeria Economic Summit Group that is sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The PIC is seeking to hire a Program Officer to provide technical support on projects and the PIC Behavioral Innovation Lab (BIL).

Specific Duties / Job Description

Project / Programme Management

• Collaborate with team members to create comprehensive project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Provide end-to-end technical project management support from project design to initiation, implementation, completion, documentation, and closure.
• Collaborate with project teams in analytical processes including evidence gathering, design and implementation of social programs and policies.
• Provide high-level administrative support to technical teams on event planning and coordination.
• Maintain accurate documentation of program activities, expenses, and impact for internal records and external reporting.
• Conduct periodic monitoring of the activities of implementing partners on various projects of the Unit, and conduct review meetings.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of the progress and impact of various projects of the Behavioral Insights Unit, and propose recommendations to aid achievement of strategic objectives.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations on program progress, outcomes, and challenges for management and donors

Project / Programme Management

• Drive the development and implementation of multi-level stakeholder engagement strategy, plans and implementation activities on allotted projects.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and advocacy efforts towards the achievement of stated project objectives.
• Initiate and nurture relationships with partner institutions and agencies relevant to supporting project implementation.
• Collaborate and network with relevant stakeholders within civil society, government, and the private sector with a view to developing relevant partnerships for PIC

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

• Drive the development and implementation of multi-level stakeholder engagement strategy, plans and implementation activities on allotted projects.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and advocacy efforts towards the achievement of stated project objectives.
• Initiate and nurture relationships with partner institutions and agencies relevant to supporting project implementation.
• Collaborate and network with relevant stakeholders within civil society, government, and the private sector with a view to developing relevant partnerships for PIC

Research, Innovation & Design

• Contribute to the design-thinking, ideation and co-creation processes of the Behavioral Innovation Lab.
• Support Unit in curating content and case studies on behavioral insights application to social programs and policies.
• Conduct literature search/desk review for ongoing projects.
• Contribute to writing and editing briefs, and knowledge outputs, including presentations, communication materials, and reports.
• Provide administrative support to experimentation and research, including engaging research assistants, and supporting training and data collection activities.
• Contribute to the drafting of research outputs, including presentations and manuscripts on PIC research and work.
• Contribute to promoting the Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion efforts of the Policy Innovation Centre.
• Support the BI Lead in other designated PIC activities.

Research, Innovation & Design

• Graduate with a minimum of 7 years of experience in programs design, planning, implementation, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving and technical writing skills are essential.
• Experienced in engaging high level stakeholders and driving advocacy strategy.
• Understands the dynamics of the traditional and religious landscape of Northern Nigeria.
• Post-graduate degree an advantage.
• Experience in gender and policy-related work an advantage.
• Male of Northern Nigeria origin preferred.
• Ability to speak Hausa language required.

Work Ethics

• Self-Starting
• Adaptability/Decisiveness
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Team player
• Curious, committed to follow-through on tasks
• Teachable
• Punctual