Programme Manager - Digital Access Programme at British High Commission

Main purpose of job:

The Digital Access Programme (DAP) and the Africa Cyber Programme (ACP) are two closely interrelated programmes led in Nigeria by the Programme Adviser & Country Lead. As the programmes increase the pace of their implementation, we are recruiting a Programme Manager to support programme coordination and delivery.

The job holder will be required to support the Programme Adviser & Country Lead in the development and delivery of the programme plan, including managing risks, monitoring implementation and reporting on programme progress against set intervention targets for the Digital Access Programme (DAP) and the Africa Cyber Programme (ACP), and on the resourcing requirements needed to deliver them.

The role will entail the following functions:

• In support of and under the oversight of the Programme Adviser & Country Lead for Nigeria, assist with the implementation of the programmes ensuring relevant projects and interventions are well placed to contribute significantly to the programmes’ overall objectives. This will include contributing to the design, delivery and monitoring of programme activities through helping coordinate with the DAP and ACP central teams in FCDO London, and with the global programme implementing partners and/or directly with the local implementing partners. Regular communication with implementing partners will form a core part of this role to support programme delivery.
• Compile and maintain thorough project records and support the accounting, reporting and local procurement processes, under the oversight of the Programme Adviser & Country Lead. Be responsible for the core administrative and logistical functions of the DAP and ACP in Nigeria.
• Assist with setting up programme performance tracking systems to ascertain programme performance against plan and resource expenditure, identify deviations from plans and develop corrective actions. This applies also to individual projects developed under the broader programmes.
• Assist with programme and project information management and communications. Support the development of communications material to keep internal and external stakeholders informed of programme progress.
• Contribute to effective coordination with the relevant teams within the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos (particularly the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, a pillar of the Digital Access Programme) and with the cross-government programme teams in London, under the guidance of the Programme Adviser & Country Lead in Nigeria.
• Help to maintain and update relevant stakeholders’ mapping in Nigeria and the UK in order to inform programme work and support the Programme Adviser & Country Lead with stakeholder engagement and follow-ups. This will include liaising with government, the private sector, civil society and academia/research bodies.

Roles and responsibilities

Programme administration and coordination (80%)

• Support the delivery and implementation activities of Africa Cyber Programme and the Digital Access Programme in Nigeria as delivered in-house as well as by lead partners and other implementing organisations, in coordination with the Programme Adviser & Country Lead in Nigeria and with the cross-departmental DAP Programme Management Committee in London and the Programme Board of the Africa Cyber Programme. Assist the Programme Adviser & Country Lead in ensuring coherence with the programme objectives coherence. This will require an ability to apply project coordination, monitoring, risk management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The jobholder will maintain programme administration requirements and support the Country Lead to facilitate communication with the programme’s global contractors and local implementing partners to ensure delivery is monitored in coordination with the Digital Access team in-country and with the central Programme Management Committee. This will include pre-empting risks and ensuring that project activities deliver the expected outcomes.
• The jobholder will support the Programme Adviser & Country Lead with regard to the internal and external communication on the programme in Nigeria, helping to ensure the Programme’s visibility is properly managed and that the UK government’s contribution is duly acknowledged. The post holder will support the implementation of the Programme’s communications strategy as approved by the Programme’s governance structure. The post-holder will also support the organisation and logistical delivery of key visits from the UK and key digital inclusion and tech sector stakeholders, as related to the implementation and promotion of the Digital Access Programme and the Africa Cyber Programme.
• The jobholder will support the Programme Adviser & Country Lead in preparing and providing inputs to the Digital Access programme governance structure via the Programme Management Committee, the Africa Cyber Programme Board, which in its turn feeds into the Senior Governance Committee (Programme SROs).
• The post-holder will be expected to regularly join key meetings and record outcomes – remotely and in-person, where required - and support the Programme Adviser & Country Lead in providing regular updates on the progress of the Digital Access Programme and the Africa Cyber Programme in Nigeria.

Prosperity delivery (10%)

• Support the prosperity outcomes of the programmes by helping the Programme Adviser & Country Lead and wider team in identifying opportunities to expand the digital/cyber/tech market and help international (including UK) companies trade with and/or invest into it, including through close collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade (country-level team). 

Corporate (10%)

• As all other staff at post, the job holder is expected to participate in key High Commission / Nigeria network activities. These may include being active on committees and in other corporate roles, as well as play a role in crisis management activities on an ad hoc basis.

Resources managed:

• The post-holder will report to the Programme Adviser and Country Lead: Digital Access Programme / Africa Cyber Programme.
• No direct line management is envisaged initially, although this may change depending on future requirements of the programmes. Teamwork and coordination experience, particularly across different geographies, is preferred - given the jobholder will need to work closely with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including in Nigeria and in the UK.
• There will be some possibilities for travel in the region and to the UK, as needed based on the Programme’s objectives and priorities.\

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Undergraduate qualification in one of the following fields:  ICT policy and regulation, Cybersecurity, Telecommunications, public policy, social studies and/or development studies, business studies or related field
• Experience of supporting the day-to-day administration and delivery of large and/or complex projects and programmes, with a good eye for detail.
• Developing and applying tools to support effective project and financial management as well as supporting delivery control of implementing partners.
• Experience of developing and executing programme/project implementation plans, and of designing and monitoring project budgets.
• Experience of applying project coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Supporting the commissioning of work packages or procuring delivery through external implementing partners and contract management.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Professional experience in at least one of the following areas will be desirable:  digital access (policies, regulations, and technology and business models for inclusive connectivity, digital skills, digital content, digital services), telecommunications, digital/ICT, online safety, cyber security, community engagement.
• Knowledge and understanding of the digital for development and cybersecurity capacity buildings agendas.
• Experience of working in an international development context, including managing/working with development programmes, including in Nigeria.
• Experience of working in or with government in Nigeria.
• Experience of working in the private sector or organised civil society in relevant fields (e.g., use of digital and cybersecurity for development)
• Experience at policy, regulatory as well as field level will be considered relevant.
• Experience of remote working as part of a larger team.