Project Manager at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Head of Programs, and through delegation of her/his authority, the Project Manager has the overall responsibility for the proper implementation and operational direction of JRS’ projects/programs in his/her geographical area of intervention. The Project Manager also monitors the context to ensure programing is relevant and responsive to priority needs. In this capacity, the Project Manager is also responsible for representing JRS publicly and externally at the field level for all programs under their supervision and for providing the direct link in communications between the Field Office Team and the Country Office team. Lastly, the Project Director provides security management of his/her geographical area and ensures all safety and security measures, including contingency plans and standard operating procedures.

Key Responsibilities of the position

The Project Manager will provide overall leadership and day-to-day management of the project, ensuring effective delivery of all three results (community awareness creation, community empowerment for accountability and rights assertion, and participatory environmental monitoring). The role carries responsibility for coordinating the project team, managing relationships with community structures, government agencies, civil society partners, and the donor, and ensuring that implementation proceeds in accordance with the project workplan, budget, and logical framework.

Project Planning & Implementation

• Lead the development and regular updating of the project's detailed implementation plan (DIP) and work plan, ensuring alignment with the logical framework, budget, and donor requirements.
• Oversee the timely and quality implementation of all project activities across the three results being awareness creation (palaver sessions, IEC materials), community empowerment (legal literacy, advocacy committee formation, multi-stakeholder engagement), and participatory environmental mapping.
• Facilitate project inception activities including stakeholder engagement, community entry, and team orientation on the ROOTS/COMP framework and Systematization of Experiences methodology.
• Coordinate logistics, venue arrangements, and procurement for workshops, training sessions, palaver sessions, mapping exercises, and multi-stakeholder meetings.
• Ensure integration of gender, inclusion, and the participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups across all project activities.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Provide direct line management and technical supervision to the Systematization Officer and other project staff, ensuring clear role definition, workload management, and performance accountability.
• Organise and lead regular team meetings to review progress, resolve implementation challenges, and ensure cross-functional coordination between programme, M&E, communication, and finance functions.
• Coordinate closely with the JRS Country Office Communication Officer to ensure appropriate documentation, visibility, and storytelling in support of the systematization process.
• Liaise with the JRS Country Director and programme leadership on strategic decisions, escalation of risks, and reporting requirements.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with the Okoro Utip community leadership, community advocacy committees, women and youth groups, and local government authorities.
• Facilitate and coordinate structured multi-stakeholder engagement meetings between community advocacy committees and representatives of NESREA, NOSDRA, oil companies, civil society, religious leaders, and local government.
• Engage with the district Senator, Local Government Chairman, and key policymakers to facilitate the advocacy presentation of the community's evidence-based policy brief.
• Coordinate with legal resource persons, environmental scientists, medical professionals, and livelihood experts engaged in palaver sessions and capacity-building workshops.

Financial Management & Compliance

• Manage the project budget in line with JRS financial procedures and donor requirements, including preparation of financial forecasts, budget monitoring, and variance analysis.
• Review and approve operational expenditures, procurement requests, and payment documentation in line with applicable thresholds and approval matrices.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in coordination with the JRS Finance team, and support audit processes as required.

Monitoring, Reporting & Learning

• Oversee the project's Monitoring and Evaluation plan, working closely with the Systematization Officer to ensure that monitoring tools, reflection processes, and documentation are integrated throughout implementation.
• Lead quarterly review meetings with the project team and community representatives to assess progress, identify challenges, and adapt implementation where necessary.
• Prepare and submit accurate, evidence-based monthly, quarterly, and final narrative reports to the donor and JRS management in line with agreed formats and deadlines.
• Support the Systematization Officer in facilitating midline and endline reflection processes and contribute to the production of the final Systematization of Experience Report.
• Contribute to organisational learning by documenting lessons learned, best practices, and innovations for institutional knowledge management.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Serve as the project-level focal point for safeguarding, ensuring that all activities are implemented in a safe, dignified, and non-discriminatory manner, with appropriate consent and confidentiality protocols in place.
• Maintain and regularly update the project risk register, identify early warning signs, and implement mitigation measures in coordination with the Country Director.
• Ensure that community members, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities, are protected from harm throughout all project activities.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• A master’s or bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Community Development, Humanities, or a related field. Other relevant certifications will be an advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in project management within the NGO, INGO, or development sector, with at least 2 years in a lead or managerial role.
• Demonstrated experience managing community-based programmes, ideally in environmental justice, human rights, livelihoods, or social protection contexts.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, including working with government agencies, civil society networks, and community structures.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget development, expenditure tracking, and donor reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Ibeno/Obolo or another local language of Akwa Ibom State is an asset.
• Commitment to JRS values of accompaniment, service, and advocacy, and to principles of community participation, dignity, and ecological justice.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the Niger Delta context, oil pollution issues, or environmental rights frameworks in Nigeria.
• Experience with participatory methodologies such as Systematization of Experiences, participatory action research, or community-based monitoring.
• Knowledge of Nigerian environmental regulations (EGASPIN, NESREA, NOSDRA mandates) and/or international frameworks (SDGs).
• Experience using project management tools and M&E platforms including KoboCollect, CommCare, or similar.

COMPETENCIES

• Strategic and adaptive thinking: ability to manage complexity and respond to emerging community and contextual dynamics.
• Leadership and team management: ability to inspire, supervise, and coordinate a multidisciplinary team.
• Community-centred approach: deep respect for community knowledge, lived experiences, and self-determination.
• Integrity and accountability: commitment to transparency, responsible resource management, and ethical practice.
• Collaboration: ability to build trust and work effectively across cultural, institutional, and sectoral boundaries.

NOTE

• Applications will be reviewed on a roll in basis.
• This is a localized position; preference will be given to indigenes.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further steps in the recruitment process, and assessments may be conducted on-site.
• JRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group, or disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
• JRS will not request any monetary payment from applicants at any stage of its recruitment process. Any request in this direction should immediately be reported as it is contrary to our values and practices.