Senior Program Officer at Grassroots Researchers Association (GRA)

Project’s Overview

• GRA is the implementing partner for a portfolio of survivor-centered projects across 18 local government areas in northeast Nigeria.
• These projects are strategically funded by a diverse group of international partners: the Mukwege Foundation, the Global Survivor Fund (GSF), the French Embassy, and We Are Not Weapons of War (WWOW).
• Through these strategic collaborations, we are working to strengthen the network of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) survivors by providing integrated support.
• This includes offering tailored livelihood empowerment and essential trauma-informed psycho social services to facilitate healing and economic stability.
• We are also building the capacity of survivor-led networks, enabling them to become powerful advocates for their own rights.
• A key component of our work involves utilizing innovative technology by combining direct survivor support with strategic capacity building and cutting-edge technology, we are helping to build a sustainable foundation for resilience and long-term empowerment in the region.

Job Summary

• As a Senior Program Officer, you will play a critical role in advancing GRA's mission by managing and implementing our core programs.
• You will be responsible for the strategic oversight of project activities, ensuring they are not only well-managed but also directly contribute to the empowerment of women and girls, particularly survivors of gender-based violence.
• This position requires a proactive and strategic thinker who can ensure programs effectively address community needs while aligning with donor requirements and our organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the assigned program portfolio with a focus on strategic planning, effective implementation, and impact-oriented monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop and execute strategic program work plans, budgets, and timelines in collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve project goals.
• Oversee the implementation of survivor-focused activities, ensuring strict adherence to project proposals and donor requirements.
• Coordinate and provide strategic guidance to program staff and volunteers.
• Monitor and evaluate program progress against established indicators and objectives to measure impact and inform future strategies.
• Identify and address programmatic challenges proactively, proposing innovative and strategic solutions.
• Prepare high-quality, data-driven program reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Build and sustain strong, collaborative relationships with program beneficiaries and community partners.
• Conduct targeted trainings and capacity-building workshops for program participants to enhance their skills and empowerment.
• Manage program budgets and ensure efficient and strategic allocation of resources.
• Stay current on best practices in humanitarian and development programming within the field.
• Champion the rights of program participants and advocate for a survivor-centred approach.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as gender studies, international development, program management, or a related social science. Amaster's degreeis a significant advantage.
• A minimum of five years of progressive experience in program and project management, with a proven track record of designing, implementing, and overseeing humanitarian or development initiatives.
• Strong command ofprogram monitoring and evaluation (M&E)principles, including data collection, impact measurement, and reporting.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to write for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and working effectively with multicultural teams in challenging, fast-paced environments.

Most Preferred Skills:

• Extensive experience managing and implementing field-based programs in theBAY states(Borno, Adamawa, Yobe).
• Proven ability to write high-qualitytechnical and donor reports.
• Highly proficient in usingMS Office(Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Advanced planning, time management, and project management skills.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and people management skills.
• Familiarity with program and M&E data management systems.
• Highly professional, accountable, and proactive, with a strong focus on achieving results.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a proven ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work autonomously and make sound decisions with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and decision-making skills.