Project Coordinator at International Alert

International Alert is one of the world's leading peacebuilding organisations, with over 30 years of experience supporting communities, advising governments, organisations and companies on how to build peace. Alert works with people in conflict-affected and threatened areas to make a positive difference for peace; to improve the substance and implementation of international policies relevant to peacebuilding; and to strengthen the peacebuilding sector. Alert currently has field offices in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East Asia, Central Asia and the South Caucasus, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. International Alert began operations in Nigeria in 2011 as a partner on security governance within the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation programme (NSRP). Since then we have launched a social cohesion programme in the Northeast, while expanding our technical advisory in conflict and gender sensitivity to various governance and reform programmes. Purpose International Alert has launched a twenty-four (24) months project titled “Matasa Ku Taso: Youth Arise!”, in Bauchi and Yobe states, funded by the European Commission (EC). The Youth, Crisis and Fragility project builds on Alerts’ previous engagements in Yobe which highlighted that youth exclusion from decision-making on peace and security, local governance, and development is a key cause of fragility globally. The overall objective of the project is to increase the leadership role of young people in addressing local drivers of conflict and fragility in Bauchi and Yobe States through enhanced youth participation in conflict prevention, mitigation and management, and increased youth access to decision-making on local development and economic empowerment initiatives. The post holder is responsible for overall project delivery and supervises the Project Officer, M&E Officer and partner state managers The Project Officer supports the Coordinator in planning activities, working with partners to implement, monitoring and liaising with project stakeholders, and reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

Staff Management a. Line manage the Project Officer and partner State Managers based in target states, including supervision of work-planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring b. Performance management of the Project officer in line with Alert’s HR procedures 2 c. Support in recruitment and supervision of technical consultants for project activities

Project Management a. Take overall management responsibility for the project, including developing and updating workplans and implementation strategies b. Ensure activities implemented in line with project objectives, on time and with quality and on budget. c. Ensure clarity about roles and responsibilities among project stakeholders d. Monitor and continuously assess the operating context and the project activities, and recommend changes in approach accordingly e. Ensure compliance with Alert Nigeria operational policies f. Overall management of local partners, supporting on efficiency and effectiveness in project delivery . g. Liaise and coordinate with relevant stakeholders, particularly security stakeholders and community leaders

Financial management a. Develop project implementation budgets in close collaboration with the Finance and Operations team b. Oversee and monitor project expenditure in close collaboration with the finance team, ensuring expenses are appropriate and eligible c. Plan and forecast grant expenditure, project activities, procurement and staffing to ensure compliance with the project contract and budget and to prevent overspending or under spending

Reporting, monitoring and evaluation a. Oversee the production of project reports in a variety of formats (written, audio, video) as required by Alert and the donor b. Collaborate with the M&E Officer to implement the monitoring and evaluation plan. c. Identify appropriate fora for the dissemination of project information and materials, and organize appropriate dissemination activities

Coordination with other Alert staff and stakeholders in the region a. Participate actively in the management processes of the team, including team meetings, sharing of information, context analysis, and strategy development b. Participate actively in State level forums on issues related to the project, particularly the North East Peace and Security Network, to promote cross-learning and collaboration with other organisations c. Collaborate with the Security Officer to provide regular security and context analysis which will inform program adaptation. d. Any other reasonable activities as determined by the line manager and/or Country Director

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in relevant field
• At least 7 years of work experience in community engagement, with at least 3 years in a management role
• Experience with an international NGO would be an asset
• Experience working on governance, peacebuilding and livelihood would be a strong asset
• Experience directly supervising other staff
• At least 2 years working in Northeast Nigeria or another emergency environment 3
• Excellent coordination and communication skills
• Good writing skills and good knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to work under pressure and in a high-risk security environment

Language Requirement

• English (oral and written), and Hausa fluency. Knowledge of any other languages prevalent in Bauchi and Yobe would be an advantage.
• Travel Based in Yobe with regular travels to project sites in Bauchi, Yobe States and administration offices in Abuja and Maiduguri.