Project Director and State Team Lead at Save The Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

• The Project Director and State Team Lead provides overall strategic leadership and managerial oversight for the administrative, programmatic, technical, research and operational aspects of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project in Oyo State.
• S/he will oversee the day-to­ day implementation of the program and will be accountable for the quality of interventions and for the effective financial and operational management including budgetary oversight, human resource management, timely implementation of activities, and effective stakeholder relationship management.
• S/he will also be responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the stakeholders in the state and all across project locations.
• S/he will oversee the implementation of high-quality Basic Package Nutrition Services in the State, ensuring that national protocols and agreed strategies are followed; as well as working according to agreed workplans and budgets in order to meet targets outlined in the contract.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

• Reports to: Programme Operations Manager
• Staff directly reporting to this post: 6 
• Budget responsibility: Yes

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Implementation and Management

• Manage the implementation of the Programme in his / her State according to the agreed strategy, workplans and budgets.
• Monitor progress of project activities against the detailed implementation plan, MEAL plan and log- frame. 
• Conduct periodic review meetings with relevant project and non-project teams. 
• Identify and effectively manage all key risks related to the project. 
• Ensure regular update of all relevant project management tools including but not limited to detailed implementation plans, risk register, procurement plan, issue log, stakeholder register, communication and knowledge management plans, MEAL plan, indicator performance tracking tool and log-frame. 
• Inspire, lead and motivate state programme teams to deliver on programme objectives.
• Ensure the programme meets or exceeds agreed targets set for the State by reviewing programme performance data and programme management arrangements on a regular basis, identifying and agreeing residual actions and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure project implementation demonstrates high levels of commitment and adherence to the ethos and values of Save the Children. 
• Work closely with the LGA and State Government to efficiently meet deliverables.
• Identify and effectively manage all key risks related to the programme especially in relations to the performance pay clause.
• Ensure good relationship and coordination with the other NSA implementing the project in the State.
• Establish and maintain relationships with relevant health and nutrition partners at the State level.
• Work in collaboration with other Save the Children implemented projects in the State.
• Ensure accountability mechanisms are in place for operating under WB’s commercial arrangements including contract compliance considerations.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of all Save the Children resources.
• Ensure compliance with the requirements of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy to ensure maximum protection for children
• Inspire, lead and motivate the project teams to deliver on project objectives.
• Ensure that all project assets and supplies in are maintained and utilized in a safe, secure and accountable manner.
• Ensure that the project adheres to the highest level of safe programming and its team comply with the requirements of Save the Children's Safeguarding Policy to ensure maximum protection for children, adults and the communities where the project is implemented.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning.

• Ensure there is an effective monitoring system in place for achieving targets in relation to programme activities, budget allocations and financial expenditures. 
• Ensure proper and regular documentation of programme learning, and incorporate analysis and lessons learned into new strategies/activities and advocacy work.
• Ensure that all learning points from the project’s work are disseminated to all relevant stakeholders and audiences. In particular, work closely with relevant TAs across Save the Children in order to maximize the synergies and learning from the project.  

Financial Management 

• Lead the development of the project’s detailed budget and ensure timely development of financial reports. 
• Manage the project’s budget, acting as the authorized budget-holder; ensure that all activities payments are properly approved and are made in a timely manner. 
• Ensure strong financial management and compliance with Save the Children financial policy and procedures.  
• Ensure effective demonstration of value for money to the project’s donor. 
• Regularly analyze the project’s financial performance and develop appropriate mitigations as required. 

Reporting 

• Lead the process of producing regular project progress reports to both internal and external stakeholders.

General

• Represent the project externally with relevant partners and stakeholders. 
• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Support the values of SCI.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Accuracy and timeliness in all areas of responsibility
• High level of accuracy in work, and ability to analyse complex sets of relationships and situations
• Holds self and others accountable

Ambition

• Creating best-in-class EA function
• Future-orientated, thinks pro-actively

Collaboration:

• Working effectively with stakeholders to achieve common goals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Designing more effective admin systems
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency, demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFCATIONS AND SKILLS

Administrative & General Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills. 
• Excellent computer skills  (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point)

Essential:

• Master's Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Nutrition, Medicine, Sociology, MBA);
• At least 10 years of experience managing development projects in Nigeria or similar context, with a strong focus on field implementation.
• Strong communication, and interpersonal skills in English, with substantial experience in managing multicultural teams
• Experience managing projects with a focus on behavior change would be an asset
• Prior experience of delivering large scale (in excess of USD5m) health or nutrition programmes.
• Demonstrable track record of meeting or exceeding programme targets, while maintaining technical quality.
• Demonstrated experience of working with national and / or State level government structures to strengthen the capacities.
• Demonstrated experience of supporting procurement and management of supplies
• Self-motivated and results orientated.
• Highly numerically articulate with a track record of data manipulation and use of spreadsheets and reporting systems.
• Experience in management of finance and budget monitoring and risk management.
• Proven ability to motivate and develop others
• Highly diplomatic and emotionally intelligent with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience of building, leading and developing a team of senior staff with different backgrounds and expertise
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles

Desirable:

• A degree or professional certification in project management. 
• Experience in business development/proposal development. 
• Ability to coach and mentor project teams. 
• Experience managing a pay by result project
• Experience managing projects with a focus on behavioral change would be an asset.
• Experience on donor-funded projects.