Programme and Development Manager at Nextier Capital Limited

About You 

You are passionate about development and believe we are the ones we have been waiting for to change our society. You are an experienced change leader who reflects thoughtfully and broadly and challenges conventions in search of answers to Africa\'s development challenges. You are tenacious and remain motivated even when the client is not incentivised to drive the needed change. You are an adaptive leader who can conceptualise and deliver solutions to drive improved development outcomes. 

Role Purpose

This role manages multiple projects simultaneously and ensures all deadlines are met from conception to completion. The role also ensures seamless coordination among diverse stakeholders, from clients to field teams. 

Job Responsibilities

Project Planning and Design

Lead the design of programmes addressing conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and community resilience.

• Define project scope, goals, deliverables, and resource requirements with a conflict-sensitive lens.
• Align project design with donor priorities and broader peace and security objectives.
• Identify risks, especially those related to political instability or community tensions, and plan mitigation strategies.

Project Management

• Manage the implementation of peace and development projects across multiple regions.
• Monitor timelines, deliverables, and team outputs to ensure programme quality.
• Oversee financial management of projects, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations.
• Cultivate productive relationships with partners, government, civil society, traditional authorities, and international donors, working on peace and security.
• Provide operational and strategic oversight to cross-functional teams delivering projects in sensitive contexts.

Business Development

• Identify new business and partnership opportunities, particularly in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and security sector reform.
• Lead proposal development and contribute to expanding Nextier’s conflict and development portfolio. Represent the firm at donor meetings, roundtables, and conferences on peace and security.
• Work with leadership to shape strategic priorities and position the firm as a trusted development partner.

Project Implementation

• Ensure timely and conflict-sensitive execution of all programme activities.
• Oversee technical assistance, fieldwork coordination, and local partnerships to ensure impact in target regions.
• Support community-based peacebuilding initiatives, dialogue processes, and institutional strengthening.
• Facilitate training and mentoring of project partners and staff on conflict sensitivity and adaptive management.
• Ensure all implementation activities adhere to principles of “do no harm,” inclusivity, and accountability to affected populations.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Collaborate with MEL teams to establish frameworks that capture tangible and intangible peace outcomes.
• Use real-time data to guide programme adaptation in volatile or evolving political-security environments.
• Support the documentation of lessons learned, especially from innovative peacebuilding or violence prevention pilots.
• Lead or contribute to internal and external reporting, including donor reports and policy briefs.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Peace and Conflict Studies, Public Policy, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• At least five years of experience managing donor-funded development or peacebuilding programmes, preferably in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification.
• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s security, conflict, and governance landscape.
• Familiarity with adaptive programme management and politically informed approaches.
• Knowledge of donor requirements, particularly UK-FCDO, EU, or UN agencies.
• Proven track record in team leadership, partnership management, and risk mitigation in high-pressure environments.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Trello, Asana, MS Project).