Social Cohesion Project Manager at Search For Common Ground’s International

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Job Description

• A Social Cohesion Project Manager who is responsible for providing leadership, management, technical and operational guidance to the program teams at the field level.
• Specifically, s/he oversees the management of the project, its budgets and coordination between program support functions as well as with other different field teams and with local partners who work in the same geographical areas.
• The position holder will ensure best utilization of resources through implementation of efficient and effective program management and compliance systems and provision of timely support and guidance to project staff at the field level.
• In addition, this position will be responsible for ensuring program quality and effective program management, including coherence of programming and implementation of Search’s program principles within the specific program locations; oversight of field operations; representation and liaison with local authorities, partners and communities at the field level.
• The position requires an experienced conflict transformation, peacebuilding or development expert, conversant with project management cycles and relevant experience working in conflict-affected communities.
• S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, North East and will work closely with the Country Director, DMEL Manager, Country Finance Manager, and other senior managers. S/he will also belong to the Lake Chad Inclusive Economic and Social Recover (RESILAC) Consortium team led by Action Against Hunger (AAH) in Nigeria, and within that structure s/he will report to the RESILAC National Project Coordinator and collaborate with other sector technical managers, leading other components of the project.
• The position holder will supervise Community Mobilizers, Conflict Analyst, and Psychosocial Support Specialist. This position is based in Maiduguri with frequent visits to selected working LGAs and communities in Borno.

About the Project

• Lake Chad Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery (RESILAC) is a 4-year project developed by Action Against Hunger (AAH) in consortium with CARE and Groupe URD.
• The project aims to contribute to the economic recovery and to the strengthening of the resilience and the social cohesion of the territories of the Lake Chad basin most impacted by the Lake Chad crisis and climate change.
• The project targets four regions (i) Cameroon, the Far North, (ii) Niger, Diffa region, (iii) Chad, Lake region and (iv) Nigeria, Borno State. Search for Common Ground (Search) is an implementing partner to AAH in Nigeria to implement the project’s pillar #1 focused on strengthening human capital, social cohesion and collective and sustainable management of natural resources in selected LGAs in Borno state. 

Roles and Responsibilities
Program Quality Management:

• Ensure a conscious program approach in line with the “Common Ground” principles.
• Contribute creative ideas for program development 
• Lead in the implementation of the RESILAC program pillar #1, providing sound methodological and technical support to ensure use of participatory methodologies, human rights and social cohesion and trauma healing programming approach.
• Promote a participatory approach in programming work and create space in the structure for staff participation and involvement in decision making;
• Oversee and coordinate the project resources to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building capacity of local partners and developing innovative program interventions;
• Facilitate trainings, researches, and learning of cross-cutting relevance to the program.
• Ensure that participatory systems and processes for monitoring activities, results and impact assessment at program level are in place and involves the team and partners;
• Provide continuous monitoring and support to field staff, coordinate project reviews, evaluations, and follow up implementation of evaluation findings in close collaboration with the Design, Monitoring and Evaluation (DM&E) Coordinator, key project staff, and the Head of Office North East Nigeria.
• Participate in the follow-up and update of monitoring evaluation accountability and learning (MEAL) tools, put in place by the RESILAC MEAL Manager: indicators and dashboard updates, identification of “Research & Actions” and other evaluations part of RESILAC Pillar 4 transversal activities.
• Coordinate the production of timely and quality program reports in line with Search, Consortium and donor requirements;
• Verify and analyze work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
• Ensure close monitoring of the political, social and security environment in project target area.
• Establishes an effective project team to implement the project’s activities, while benefiting from Search core team technical and administrative support.
• In consultation with RESILAC Technical Advisors, transfers project design into a comprehensive work plan outlining main and sub-activities and effectively delegate and manage tasks and coordinate with partners. 
• Works with the project implementation staff and the RESILAC National Project Coordinator to build appropriate strategy for the rollout of the project.
• Develops regular and quarterly reports detailing progress in line with funder and Search guidelines and requirements in coordination with the RESILAC National Project Coordinator, Regional Coordination Technical Advisors and the Search Head of Office. 
• Follows up and documents success stories and lessons learned and share them with the management on a regular basis. 
• Establishes and manages partnerships both at the central and local level.
• Establishes good working relations with relevant stakeholders for the effective implementation of the project including government offices and officials at central, governorate, district and local level.

Coordination and Representation:

• Coordinate regularly with ACF and the RESILAC consortium for program strategy, synergy, coordination and effectiveness of program implementation and results.  
• Participate inter-pillars meetings put in place within the RESILAC national unit.
• Develop and maintains proactive, positive, and professional relationships with partner organizations, other NGOS, donors, clients, and key government officials, local authorities, and civil society working on relevant issues to the project.
• Represent the Head of Office North East on various INGO, Government and stakeholder meetings or platforms whenever assigned to do so. 
• Maintains regular written and oral reporting to the Head of Office on key country, project, security and staff issues.
• Oversees general project HR affairs in line with Search-Nigeria guidelines and in coordination with Search Country HR and the RESILAC HR Guidelines.

Team Management and Human Resources:

• Provide leadership and oversight to program staff and all partners charged with implementing the program.
• Manage an operational team to supervise project’s activities implementation in the target area in compliance with local laws and organizational policies and procedures, including the management and evaluation of a diverse staff.
• Ensures the implementation of project on-time and within budget.
• Ensures compliance with Search Operations Manual policies and procedures.
• Provide Coaching and Counseling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

Financial Planning, Management and Compliance:

• Oversees the management of project budgets, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines in coordination with Head of Office- North East, Admin and Procurement Manager and the Country Finance Manager.
• Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the overall finance and guidance manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements;
• Carry out monthly budget versus expenditures analysis, make budget projections and keep up with the targeted burn rates for the project.
• Ensure that adequate internal control mechanisms are in place for the specific project.

Job Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related area required, while a Masters in Conflict Resolution, International Relations, or related field would be an added benefit;

Required Experience:

• At least 3 - 5 years of experience in managing Social Cohesion, Peacebuilding, conflict transformation, psychosocial support and human rights advocacy programs
• Previous experience in managing psychosocial programs with a special focus on addressing trauma in conflict settings
• Experience working in a diverse team and with community-based organizations.

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Good knowledge of the country context and ability to network with both civil society and public sector
• Ability to review and analyze and interpret financial reports, budget versus actuals, financial projections and procurement documentation;
• Good interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships;
• Analytical capacity, including ability to analyze and articulate peace, human security and conflict issues;
• Ability to work with people at all levels, ranging from high-level national officials to community leaders;
• Experience in setting performance objectives of teams and leading a team.
• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the human rights and peace-building fields;
• Good knowledge of North East, including the political, economic and social dimensions;
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite) and other software
• Detail-oriented with ability to meet deadlines, both prescribed and self-imposed
• Willingness and desire to learn while demonstrating self-initiative
• Ability to adapt to new cultures and work in diverse environments.

Added Advantage:
Language Skills: (Native/Fluent/Basic)

• English Language (Fluent)
• Hausa (an added advantage)
• Kanuri  (an added advantage)
• Shuwa Arab (an added advantage).

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.