Project Manager at Mercy Corps

The Program / Department / Team

• The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in partnership with Mercy Corps Energy 4 Impact (E4I), Murty International, Kigali Collaborative Research Centre (KCRC), and local innovation hubs, is implementing the Community Owned Rural Electrification (CORE) project funded through UK PACT.
• The project is piloting Renewable Energy Users Cooperative Societies (REUCS) to enhance governance, drive productive use of energy (PUE), and establish sustainable rural electrification models.

The Position

• Critical to the success of the project is a dedicated Project Manager, leading co-ordination of activities, ensuring quality project delivery within scope, time and budget, and engaging the UK PACT team and other pivotal stakeholders to ensure project outcomes are realised.

Essential Responsibilities
Project Management (60%):

• Oversee activities by the CORE team, including implementing partners, ensuring cohesiveness in project delivery against work plan and MEL framework
• Be the main point of contact with the UK PACT team for issues related to management of the project
• Lead reporting to the UK PACT team. This includes, but is not limited to, fortnightly, monthly and quarterly reporting, submitting quarterly progress report and financial reports including evidence of outputs
• Lead budget management and resource planning, ensuring adherence to donor and Mercy Corps standards
• Manage the project’s risk register and issues log
• Manage project change as per assigned project control tolerances
• Represent Mercy Corps in Embassy-led engagement events, stakeholder meetings with the UK PACT team, and meetings with project counterparts
• Ensure effective documentation and filing of project documents and evidence per the donor’s requirements and Mercy Corps’ Record Retention policy.

Technical Oversight (40%):

• Support the project experts in the technical review of key deliverables as needed
• Oversee delivery of technical outputs in adherence with UK PACT’s guidelines, including but not limited to MEL, communications and branding, and GEDSI
• Provide quality assurance in planning market and industry events.

Community Accountabillity and Reporting:

• Actively participate in the project’s community accountability and reporting mechanism (CARM), including safeguarding
• Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate it into your work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourage openness and communication in your team; encourage team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• At least a Bachelor's Degree in International Development, Development Policy, Energy, Environment, or other relevant subject
• Working knowledge of the Nigeria energy and policy sector. Knowledge on electric cooperatives is advantageous.
• At least 3 years of project management or project co-ordination experience. Experience with FCDO-funded projects is an asset.
• Experience gained in an international development organisation also advantageous.
• Strong project reporting and financial management skills
• Strong demonstrable experience in setting up and managing PMOs
• Demonstrated ability to work with, communicate effectively with, and manage ethnically diverse team members of varied work styles
• Experience co-ordinating activities with partners and consultants
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Working knowledge of local language/s (Nigeria) is an asset.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Director of Programmes, Mercy Corps Nigeria
• Works Directly With: Head of Energy Research and Innovation (E4I), Regional Commercial Advisor – Energy Access (E4I), Project Coordination and Communications Lead (Mercy Corps Nigeria), MEL Manager (E4I), Energy Analyst (E4I)

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work.
• We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will have demonstrated excellent project management, reporting, and donor management capability.
• They will also demonstrate an ability to manage delivery by a diverse team, including implementing partners and consultants, as well as addressing challenges and risks early and in a professional manner.
• The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position is based in Abuja, and it requires up to 30% travel to support the project in the field, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

Ongoing Learning:

• In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness:

• Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate.
• By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation.
• We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
• We recognize that building a strong and effective te