Project Manager at International Alert

Organisational context

BACKGROUND

International Alert is one of the world's leading peacebuilding organisations, with 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 over 20 countries and was active in over 40 countries and territories across the world in 2014 in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East Asia, Central Asia and the South Caucasus, Europe, Latin America, 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.

Role Purpose

The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for managing Alert’s project on Enhancing prevention and response services for child survivors of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in north-east Nigeria. The project will promote and provide quality support and conflict sensitive life-saving services for women and children.  It will strengthen provision of clinical services for GBV by mapping out the available services, identify and address gaps in coverage, supplies and staff capacity to provide professional survivor assistance services responsive to the needs of women and children. Specifically, the project will strengthen capacity of health workers in clinical management of GBV to facilitate identification of GBV survivors when they seek medical services, and provision of medico-legal evidence when survivors seek access to justice. The PM will report to Alert’s NE Programme Manager. S/he will manage the day-to-day implementation of the project from a programme and financial perspective, including ensuring adequate monitoring mechanisms. S/he will supervise a project officer and coordinate with the finance, operations and monitoring and evaluation teams, as well as liaise with relevant stakeholders, including government and other INGOs. S/he will ensure the project is executed in compliance with Alert, donor and government regulations. The PM will also lead on preparing high quality donor reports on monthly, quarterly and annually.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Staff management

• Line manages 2 Project Officers and 1 Psychosocial Support Officer, including supervision of work-planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring.
• Oversee the work of implementing partner staff and ensure quality implementation.
• Performance management the direct staff in line with Alert’s HR procedures
• Take lead in recruitment and supervision of technical consultants for project activities.
• Identify technical support needs and provide capacity-building for project staff and implementing partners.

2. Project management

• Take overall management responsibility for project implementation, including developing and updating workplans and implementation strategies together with implementing partner and Alert staff.
• Ensure activities implemented in line with project objectives, on time and with quality.
• Ensure clarity about roles and responsibilities among projects stakeholders.
• Monitor and continuously assess the operating context and the project activities and recommend changes in approach accordingly.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Alert Nigeria policies and regulations.
• Liaise and coordinate with relevant stakeholders.

3. Financial management

• Develop project implementation budgets in close collaboration with the finance team.
• Oversee and monitor project expenditure in close collaboration with the finance team, ensuring expenses are appropriate and eligible, including for implementing partner.
• 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.

4.   Reporting, monitoring and evaluation

• Oversee the production of project reports and case studies.
• Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation plan in collaboration with M&E Officer
• Identify appropriate fora for the dissemination of project information and materials, and organize appropriate dissemination activities.

5.   Coordination with other protection stakeholders and with Alert staff

• Ensure smooth communication and collaborative planning with other NGOs providing support to the same target groups.
• Participate actively in the management processes of the team, including team meetings, sharing of information, context analysis, and strategy development.
• Participate actively in State level forums on issues related to the project, particularly the Peace and Security Network, to promote cross-learning and collaboration with other organizations.

6.    Any other reasonable activities as determined by the line manager

Qualifications and Experience:

• University degree in peace and conflict studies, social studies, psychology, project management or related field.
• At least 6 years of work experience in community engagement, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• At least 2 years of experience in a conflict or humanitarian setting.
• Experience in implementing women and girls focused, especially on reintegration.
• Experience in managing grants from (UNICEF, FCDO, EU)
• Excellent coordination and communication skills.
• Excellent writing skills and good knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a high-risk security environment.
• Willingness to travel regularly to rural locations.

Language Requirements:

• English fluency (oral and written). Hausa fluency would be desirable.
• Knowledge of other languages prevalent in Borno State (Kanuri, Shuwa, etc.) would be an advantage

Travel:

Based in Maiduguri, with regular travel to Bama, Gwosa and Jere LGAs.