Project Director at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Head of Programs, and through delegated authority, the Project Director provides overall leadership, operational direction, and program oversight for JRS Nigeria’s multi-sectoral interventions (EiE, Protection, MHPSS, WASH, and Livelihoods) in their designated geographical area. The role ensures timely and compliant project implementation, contextual relevance, and responsiveness to priority needs identified through assessments. The Project Director also represents JRS at the field level with stakeholders and coordination bodies, maintains close communication between the field and country office teams, and oversees security management, including adherence to safety protocols, contingency plans, and standard operating procedures.

Key Responsibilities of the position

• Provide overall strategic direction and management oversight for the implementation of JRS’s multi-sectoral humanitarian programs (Education, MHPSS, MEAL, WASH, Livelihoods) across assigned geographical areas, ensuring timely and effective delivery in line with JRS’s country strategy and ECHO requirements.
• Coordinate project planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring compliance with donor (including ECHO) requirements and internal JRS policies.
• Ensure program activities respond to priority needs identified in the MSNA, including education, protection, and livelihoods, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, quality, and sustainability.
• Lead and supervise multi-disciplinary teams, providing guidance, tracking objectives, and conducting performance appraisals while addressing staff welfare and interpersonal issues in consultation with HR.
• Promote the Safe School Declaration (SSD), PSEA, safeguarding, and child protection standards across all project components, ensuring all staff are trained and protocols are consistently followed.
• Ensure timely and quality donor and internal reporting, including situation reports, incident reports, and contractual project updates.
• Lead needs assessments and project design in collaboration with technical leads and field teams, ensuring alignment with donor formats and internal protocols.
• Oversee budget monitoring and cost optimization, participating in cross-departmental budget analysis (Programs, HR, Logistics, Finance), identifying anomalies, and proposing corrective actions.
• Maintain strong stakeholder engagement and representation, attending coordination forums (EiEWG, CPWG, GBVSS, INGO Forum, etc.) and ensuring effective collaboration with government, LGEAs, and community actors.
• Ensure field office safety plans are up-to-date and staff are fully briefed, while facilitating smooth logistics, administration, and compliance across operational sites.
• Guarantee adherence to JRS internal rules and procedures, and represent JRS professionally in line with organizational values, neutrality, and local cultural norms.
• Support activation and oversight of the crisis modifier, ensuring rapid response capacity for emerging needs in line with predefined thresholds and protocols.
• Contribute as a member of the Country Management Team (CMT) to broader strategic goals and undertake other responsibilities as assigned by the Country Director.
• The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and may evolve based on organizational needs and context developments.

Required Profile 

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related fields.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing multi-sectoral humanitarian programs, ideally in Northeast Nigeria.
• Strong knowledge of EiE, MHPSS, WASH, and Livelihoods in emergency settings.
• Demonstrated ability in project cycle management and ECHO compliance.
• Excellent representation, coordination, and communication skills.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Hausa/Kanuri is an asset.
• Willingness to travel to field locations (Dikwa, Monguno, Ngala) regularly.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership, team management, and supervisory skills, with the ability to delegate effectively and manage teams remotely in high-pressure and insecure environments.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to manage relationships across diverse stakeholders and represent JRS to local authorities and coordination bodies.
• Proven experience in project and security management, including contextual analysis and implementation of safety protocols and contingency planning.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills, with exceptional ability to produce high-quality reports and documentation.
• Good knowledge of institutional donor requirements, financial guidelines, and humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and capacity to adapt tools and approaches to evolving operational needs.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and adapt to changing priorities with a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism.
• Flexible, well-organized, and committed to developing team capacity and fostering a supportive working environment.
• Cultural sensitivity, with the ability to integrate political, economic, and social dynamics into program design and implementation.

JRS  provides equal opportunity in employment  to all  applicants and prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.