Programme Quality and Development Manager at International Alert

Job Purpose

• The purpose of this position is to strengthen in country capacity for proactive and coordinated advocacy, influencing and fundraising, with the aim of diversifying funding for sustainability, increasing influence at national and state level on core cornerstones. Additionally, the postholder will provide leadership within the Nigeria programme to synergize projects implementation (past and future). And work with project and M&E teams to ensure quality delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities
Programme Quality and Organizational Development:

• Ensure effective quality assurance of International Alert’s programming in Nigeria in compliance with Alert’s Global Strategies. 
• In collaboration with project leads and Programme Manager identify synergies and linkages between projects for learning and quality improvement. 
• Provide Leadership on Research and Evaluation strategies to be engaged for the Nigeria Office. 
• Identify lessons learned from previous programming and integrate them into new project design. 
• Identify key results from impact assessments for sharing with relevant internal and external stakeholders. 
• Develop key messages and communication and advocacy strategies based on identified project impact. 
• Provide technical oversight to consultants working for International Alert Nigeria and ensure consultants deliverables meets Alert’s standards. 
• Take part in organisational initiatives. 
• Participate in the organisational senior management team

Programme Development:

• Work with line manager, regional team, and programme team to develop and coordinate specific project funding proposals and bids to institutional donors, trusts, and commercial contractors. 
• Lead and coordinate the project designing process with colleagues and partners; and support the development of country-specific fundraising strategies. 
• Submit solicited and unsolicited proposals and concept papers to donors and undertake donor liaison on an ongoing basis to monitor submission progress, respond to queries and provide amendments, as necessary. 
• Ensure Alert’s cornerstones are accurately reflected in proposal development. 
• Research and keep track of funding opportunities, providing timely information to support the development of new bids within country. 
• Working closely with the Country Director develop, implement, and review country fundraising strategy. 
• Track donor feedback on proposals and ensure the feedback is integrated into new programme design.

Advocacy and Representation:

• Working closely with the Country Director to shape broader strategies for influencing advocacy and Fundraising. 
• Represent International Alert in key forums at both National and State Level.

Human Resources Department:

• Develop key messages and communication and advocacy strategies based on identified project impact. 
• Lead and/or supervise the development and publication of internal and external learning papers and communication pieces.

Personal Specification
Essential Requirements:

• Candidate should possess B.A / B.Sc / HND in relevant fields with a minimum of 6 years experience.
• Candidate must have a talent for working with others to develop, frame, communicate and fundraise for programmes that combine conceptual and practical innovation, and have a clear and measurable impact on peace.
• A strong technical understanding of peacebuilding and familiarity with conflict sensitivity. Understanding of the conflict dynamics in Nigeria.
• Graduate or post-graduate degree in peacebuilding, conflict studies, gender, development studies, international relations, or related field.
• Substantial experience securing new funding for peacebuilding or development programmes, including developing project concepts and donor relationships; writing proposals and budgets, and negotiating contracts.
• Experience of working with a range of donors (institutional, multilateral, trusts, and commercial contractors), understanding of diverse donor requirements, and experience of identify funding opportunities and tracking donor trends.
• Good understanding of project design, including developing theories of change, clear and realistic objectives and effective monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Experience facilitating workshops and ideas development, including remotely and with people with diverse first languages.
• Fluent written and spoken English; excellent analytic and report writing skills and persuasive oral communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with a wide spectrum of actors, including community members, civil society, and donors.
• Experience in advocacy and communications. Willing to travel frequently to insecure locations within Nigeria

Desirable Requirements:

• Fluency in Languages spoken in North-East, North-West, and North-Central Nigeria, in particular Hausa Experience in M&E and impact assessments
• Understanding of the operational context of North-East, North-West, and North-Central Nigeria