Project Manager at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Job Identification: 1062
Location: Jos, Plateau
Job Category: Coordination
Job Schedule: Full time
Travel: 50% to field operation areas
Duration and type of contract: 1 year (with possibility of extension)

Country Office Background

• The Norwegian Refugee Council has been working in Nigeria since June 2015, implementing Livelihoods and Food Security, Shelter, WASH, Education, Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) activities to benefit internally displaced, returnee and host communities. NRC will be implementing a grant focused on vocational training, livelihoods and peacebuilding in Plateau State.
• The Project Manager is responsible for implementing holistic and needs based programmes and representing NRC at coordination forums, as delegated by Area Manager. The Project Manager is a member of the Area Management Group.

General Responsibilities

• Management of technical staff including Coordinators and Team Leaders
• Adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
• Contribute to the development of Country and Area strategies and initiate and participate in the development of relevant projects
• Coordinate and manage project implementation including workplans, budget and other project documentation in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements
• Ensure that a capacity building plan for all staff is developed and implemented
• Implement technical direction and ensure high technical quality of projects
• Provide regular progress reports to the Area Manager
• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and implementation of key learnings from project implementation

This position will be specifically responsible to:

• Lead Project Cycle Management at area office level as per NRC standards including grants start-up, review and Closure meetings
• Work closely with Area Support teams to ensure the delivery of project materials and contractual agreement are done in a timely manner
• Contribute to the development of the Core Competencies strategies
• Ensure systems for program quality control, monitoring and evaluation, and approach to identifying and acting on key learning in project implementation
• Assist with visits and coordination with external stakeholders in coordination with the AM
• Oversight of implementation of projects, including targets and budgets, in coordination with all project coordinators and team leaders
• Coordinate with finance department to ensure effective and transparent project progress forecast
• Ensure completion of work and development plans for all direct reports.
• Coordinate quality and timely development of donor reports
• Maintain the requirement level of performance capacity of local technicians, and identify the need for additional training.
• Contribute to proposal development, identify donor needs and challenges, develop area protocol for decisions on funding opportunities
• Regular visits to the area and sites of implementation for quality checks the of the ongoing and completed works, make correction and provide relevant recommendations.
• In coordination with the Specialists and Area Manager, represent NRC in coordination meetings with local authorities, line ministries and government agencies and NGOs when required

Required Professional Competencies

• Minimum 3 years of experience from a senior level project implementation and management position in a humanitarian, recovery or development context
• Experience in financial, asset and human resources management, budgeting and administration
• Knowledge of at least two of the following program areas: cash-based interventions, market based programing, food security and livelihoods, education (vocational training), protection, peace building
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Experience developing proposals and project budgets
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Written and oral fluency in English

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• University Degree (Bachelor's) in a Management, Development or a related subject, with a master’s degree preferred
• Knowledge of the context in Plateau State
• Experience with community mobilisation and engagement
• Experience establishing relationships and coordinating with government and traditional leaders
• Experience with community-based development and grants management
• Able to train and manage teams for effective quality implementation (to listen, advise, support, solve conflicts, motivate, etc.)
• Proven skills and experience in successfully managing field teams
• Fluent in Hausa, with knowledge of an additional local language preferred.