Programme Coordinator at Care Best Initiative (CBI)

Background

• CBI employs a multi-sectorial stakeholder-engagement and community-inclusion approach to the implementation of all her programs and activities, and is well experienced in advocacy, influencing, awareness creation and behavioral change programming.
• Our thematic areas of operations cut across sectors like Health (FP, SRH, HIV/AIDS & RI), Education, Nutrition (CMAM, MIYCN), Protection (GBV, Child Protection, GE&I), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) among others with the objectives to improve access to basic and reproductive health services, and support distressed families.
• We also facilitate developmental programs, such as stakeholders’ advocacy campaigns against systemic and deep-rooted gender inequalities and barriers that will improve the socio-economic status of the most vulnerable (including orphans, PLWHA, PWDs, out-of-school children, Almajiri students and Islamiyya students), promote infrastructural and environmental development, and promote equitable gender and social activities in communities.
• As our activities are also aimed at strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable and build their capacity and self-reliance through education, sensitization and awareness creation, CBI works in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Health as well as other relevant line-ministries for implementation.
• CBI also collaborates with other local and international partners and is an active member of several Clusters, Working groups and CSO Networks in all her states of operation and at the national level is a member of the Coalition of NGOs in Nigeria.

Job Purpose

• The Programme Coordinator will work closely and under the supervision of the Programme Manager to jointly ensure the management and development of the country programmes at the zonal level.
• The Programme Coordinator leads the planning, implementation and monitoring of all projects in coordination with the concerned technical coordinators to apply integrated approach for synergies across sectors.
• The Programme Coordinator shall ensure timely and efficient programme implementation, and most importantly the quality of projects and programmes in terms of their impact.
• In close collaboration with the MEAL team, the Programme Coordinator also guides the programme strategy and development of future programmes. Together with the Head of Office, the Programme Coordinator represents CBI to donors and partners, ensuring that CBI is recognised for its programme expertise and field experience.
• Furthermore, the Programme Coordinator engages in medium and long-term planning and strategy activities, ensures continuous quality improvement of programmes and contributes towards a successful environment for the programme staff.

Job Description / Principal Accountabilities
Programme Management:

• Lead the programme strategy development and implementation of the Country Strategic Plan
• Ensure that the overall programme is designed, managed and implemented in conformity to CBI policies, strategy and guidelines.
• Ensure effective leadership and management of CBI Nigeria programme through line management and coordination with all sectoral teams
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting is done by all programmes to donors
• Ensure project developed meets high standards in terms of design, implementation and MEAL through proper Project Cycle Management
• Prepare programme budgets collaboratively with programme and finance staff
• Track programme expenditure through monthly programme review meetings using financial expenditure reports prepared by the finance department.
• Ensure compliance to donor policies, procedures and procurement

Fundraising and proposal development:

• Conduct regular context analysis (including the country’s socio-economic situation, (donor) trends, needs and gaps), as well as stakeholder analysis
• Identify funding opportunities;
• Lead proposal writing processes from a programme perspective and coordinates with other departments
• Contribute to the identification of potential relevant international and/or local partners (private sector partners, national and international NGOs, think tanks, academia, etc.) to be included in proposals
• Liaise with Technical/thematic Coordinators to contribute to the ToRs of assessments to be conducted for proposal development and to request their input in the logframe development
• Contribute to the development of fundraising documents (including expression of Interests/ Concept Notes/ Proposals) in line with CBI country strategy and donor requirements and in close collaboration with CBI HQ and finance
• Liaise with Programme Officers and Technical Coordinators to ensure that proposals are relevant and technically sound
• Integrate learning from previous interventions (e.g. lessons learnt and best practices) into new proposals
• Involve Finance, Logistics, MEAL, Technical Coordinators and Security teams in the development of fundraising documents, particularly finance for the budget and logistics in case of specific donor procurement rules

External Relations:

• Maintain active and regular working relationships with donors
• Maintain active and regular working relationships with other NGOs, UN agencies, clusters, working groups and consortia
• Regularly update a directory of donors, international and local NGOs, other partners and stakeholders
• Active engagement and coordination with the relevant national and local authorities as required by CBI registration/legal status in country
• In the absence of Technical Coordinators, represent CBI in key clusters and working group meetings

Grant Management:

• Contribute to addressing in a timely manner all comments by donors on proposals in liaison with relevant staff in country and CBI HQ and finance
• Read thoroughly all contracts before signature, seeking CBI HQ and finance advice when required
• Ensure that contractual obligations (including visibility requirements) and reporting deadlines are known and met by Programme, and Finance, Logistics, MEAL, Technical Coordinators and Security teams’ team
• When any issue is identified in meeting deliverables in the given timeframe and budget, inform relevant staff in country and seek CBI HQ Program Department advice on potential solutions that would meet donor rules

Reporting:

• Lead the kick-off planning and close out review meetings for each project
• Write quality narrative reports, reflecting the progress and status of projects in a transparent, timely and professional manner, in liaison with CBI HQ and finance, which will contribute ultimately to steady cash inflow
• Liaise with section Heads (Finance, Logistics, MEAL, Technical Coordinators and Security teams) teams when preparing reports, especially with finance to ensure greater coherence between financial and narrative reports by cross checking the matching of data in the narrative and financial reports
• Contribute to the monthly update of the CBI and ensure smooth and regular communication with CBI HQ
• Ensure adhoc requests from donors are addressed in liaison with the Head of Mission, programme and support teams
• Ensure proper reporting of the various projects implemented in country

Human Resource Management:

• In consultation with the Head of Office, plan HR needs, capacity building needs for senior program staff and enough human resources for the programme to meet its objectives
• Ensure coherent policy towards recruitment, remuneration and bonuses across the country programme

Documentation and Learning:

• Ensure that all programmes properly retain programme learning for future projects, and that all information is properly documented.
• Ensure that all official programme documentation is properly stored and available for the future

Job Holder Entry Requirements
Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):
Education:

• University Degree (preferably Postgraduate/Professional certification) in International Development, Social Science, Public Health, International Relations, Conflict and Security, or other relevant disciplines.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years experience in leadership role within technical expertise in a humanitarian/ recovery context
• Experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts, with experience in leading emergency responses, access and security analysis and management.

Professional Requirements:

• Completed relevant trainings in Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Proposal Writing, Humanitarian Coordination, Safety and Security Management, etc.

Languages:

• English – fluent in spoken and written

Skills (Special Training or Competencies):
Technical:

• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent team-working and team-building skills, as well as ability to work under high pressure and with flexibility
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work and integrate in a multicultural team
• Problem solver, dynamic, mature
• Confidently able to deal with authorities and donors
• Pro-active approach to work
• Able to work independently as well as being a strong team player
• Flexibility, capacity of managing stress, good diplomatic skills
• Flexibility in staying in guest house provided

Managerial:

• Plan, manage and adapt a project, including in emergencies
• Knowledge and understanding of project management tools (Logical framework analysis, project cycle management, objectives, and indicators etc.)
• Ability to have a global overview of a program (not only on medical/nutritional plan) and develop a strategic plan
• Analyse and summarize the issues and challenges in the region
• Analyse the context and the consequences of an intervention, assess the risks and constraints, and identify priorities
• Understand and analyse the public health system, health context, health problems and data
• Create and choose appropriate indicators for the project
• Manage and follow a program budget
• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style (experience managing national and expatriate staff)
• Proven ability to problem solving and lead teams through very challenging situations

Soft Skills:

• Good writing and communication skills
• Diplomacy and capacity to develop and maintain a strong relation with key stakeholders
• Ability to take quick decisions according to the context in coordination with the team
• Reactivity, anticipation, and adaptability
• Capacity to take initiatives
• Excellent Organizational skills
• Ability to manage priorities effectively
• Ability to pro-actively build relations with other stakeholders
• Strong commitment to Gender Equality service delivery
• Capacity to work and to live in tense conditions (climate, cultural context, promiscuity, isolation)

Key Behaviors:

• Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity.
• Social and receptive (active listener).
• High degree of integrity.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of the team, as the situation dictates.
• Pro-active and ready to take initiative.
• Ability to assimilate and handle a wide range of information efficiently and effectively.
• High level of stress tolerance and ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Willingness to undertake extensive field trips
• within PCO working area.

Key Relationships:
Internal:

• Programme Manager/Head of Office
• Other thematic area Coordinators
• Finance and Support Services team
• Various staff based in all CBI core departments, as and when necessary (e.g. funding, PDA, NUTRITION, finance, PPA)

External:

• Partners
• Consultants
• Service Providers/Stakeholders (Other NGOs)
• Government agencies