Vulnerable Populations Sector Manager - Nigeria Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) at Palladium Group

Ref No: req11585
Duration: 1 year, with possibility of extension for additional 3 years.
Report To: The Social Protection and Inclusion Advisor

Background

• The objective of the SCALE Activity is to support civil society organizations (CSOs) and business membership organizations (BMOs) across all of USAID/Nigeria’s programmatic sectors with a basket of managerial, business strengthening, and advocacy capacity-building interventions aimed at advancing Nigerian CSO sustainability combined with targeted grants to advance mutually agreed upon priorities. The activity is designed to enhance local civil society organizations’ ability to be positive and responsible change agents in Nigeria.
• The project has five main components:
  • Component One - Improve CSO organizational capacity,
  • Component Two - Enhance capacity for CSO advocacy, collaboration, and management,
  • Component Three - Improve the policy and regulatory environment for civil society,
  • Component Four - Countering Trafficking in Persons (CTIP), and
  • Component Five - Sector strengthening and advocacy.

Purpose of Position

• Working closely with the project’s Social Protection and Inclusion Advisor, the Vulnerable Populations Sector Manager will support in achieving objectives relating to strengthening the capacity of CSOs to address vulnerable populations' needs, including countering trafficking in person (CTIP), curbing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and child early, and forced marriage (CEFM), and promoting inclusion of women, young people, and persons with disabilities across all project components.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support project efforts towards strengthening the capacity of CSOs/BMOs and relevant stakeholders to conduct policy advocacy, improve service provision, enhance referral systems, and strengthen networking to counter trafficking in persons, and curb SGBV and CEFM.
• Provide technical support and offer innovative approaches to activity design and implementation, with a focus on inclusion efforts that promote ownership & local sustainability.
• Monitor implementation of the awards to selected CSOs on vulnerable populations, CTIP, SGBV, and EFM.
• Support in finalizing the project’s roadmap/action plan for CTIP, SGBV, CEFM and related sector issues.
• Support to develop, adapt and implement effective, innovative capacity strengthening approaches, tools, and methodologies for integrating gender equality and social inclusion into project activities.
• Interact with internal and external resources and experts to bring new and “cutting edge” ideas into project’s approaches.
• Support the design, development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of the program’s multi-year strategy and annual work plans.
• Align with the project’s media strategy and leverage growth in technology to improve performance, accountability and transparency of services and beneficiary feedback.
• Manage, implement, document, and disseminate project activities. Draft success stories and project highlights to reflect project achievements.
• Adhere strictly to the branding and marking policy of the project.
• Other duties, as assigned by supervisor.

Position Requirements

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs, Public Administration, Policy, Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies or related field.
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in civil society engagement and policy and regulatory reform around SGBV, CEFM and/or CTIP.
• Experience working in gender, vulnerable populations (including persons with disabilities, youth, and women and children) and/or human rights.
• Strong technical expertise in organizational capacity assessments and developing capacity development plans.
• Prior experience of working with donor-funded projects. Experience with USAID programs desirable.
• Experience of engaging and working with senior leadership in government, civil society, private sector, and communities.
• Experience with development of business case for gender equality, diversity and inclusion is desirable.
• Clear and effective writing and oral communication skills, including significant experience with report development and presentation.
• Strong program management, organizational, and interpersonal skills required.
• Attention to detail and ability to perform multiple tasks, work independently and balance competing priorities effectively and efficiently often within a required timeframe.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Office, Email, Internet).
• Fluency in English and a local language.