Jobs at Search for Common Ground

Job Responsibilities

• Leadership and oversight of the Niger Delta Program including representation of Search with all donors, partners, authorities, and other key stakeholders in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. 
• Manage the relationship and act as the primary point of contact with the EU and project partners with regard to activity implementation, compliance, collaboration, and management matters relating to the project. 
• Provide technical oversight, administration, fiscal management, and grant and contract administration and management, assuring quality, impact, and cost-effectiveness of the project.
• Hold overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided under the award is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed and for adequately managing and supervising the work of all field staff, long‐term staff, short‐term staff, consortium partners, and/or sub‐partners, as proposed. 
• Effectively implement the project vision by overseeing the delivery of Search’s activities in all 4 key project activity streams. This includes strong technical expertise in conflict analysis, conflict transformation, community dialogue/peacebuilding structures, economic initiatives for peace, engagement of security actors, human rights, arts and multimedia activities, and journalism in contexts similar to Nigeria’s Niger Delta.  
• Oversee multiple activities simultaneously, including hiring, training, mentoring, and supervising local personnel.
• Provide strong senior leadership and strategic direction to the project team and as consortium lead, including relationship management with key stakeholders and project partners.
• Assemble and motivate a team of local staff and short-term consultants, and effectively supervise project personnel. 
• Liaise with Search’s internal teams including the Nigeria Country Team, the West Africa Regional Team, and global HQ teams in Brussels and Washington DC.
• Represent Search, the project, and the Niger Delta Program at high-level events and meetings, including public speaking engagements on relevant topic areas.
• Operations: Ensure compliance of staff and partners to Search, donor, and country rules and regulations
• Ensure adhesion to the logistical and security architecture of the country or regional implementation landscape
• Infuses organizational Values into all work
• Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Motivates colleagues and direct reports to develop while resolving problems within the context of a proactive and broad vision set by the organization.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts to facilitate work intended to provide a service to Search.
• Manages and contributes to both routine activities and initiatives while also making progress on continuous improvement efforts.
• Juggles multiple demands and adapts to new situations with fresh ideas or innovative approaches.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of departmental strategy based on organizational goals and objectives.
• Practices ethical behavior to meet Search’s expectations for conduct, minimizes ambiguity and sets an example for others.
• Builds a framework and sets in motion a plan to overcome challenges by making sense out of complexity and an uncertain future, staying cognizant of the implications of a choice for the department, and being decisive while also applying flexibility for further change as needed and with changing work plans to meet environmental factors.
• Sets up procedures and team building to ensure high quality of work (e.g., review meetings).
• Seeks out creative solutions within a complex and international environment while working within an organizational framework of compliance, ethics, best practices, and standards.
• Share information, advice, and suggestions to help others to be more successful; provide effective coaching.
• Sought out as an expert to provide advice or solutions in their technical or functional area.
• Convenes groups or teams through problem-solving and creative thinking processes, leading to the development and implementation of new approaches, systems, structures, and methods in a Shared Services environment.
• Involves team members in thought leadership discussions and decision-making to lead to continued growth and development for team, department members, and Shared Services colleagues.

Experience and Education

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Peace and Conflict Studies, Development, Political Science, International Affairs, Social Sciences, or other relevant subjects.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, with at least 5 years of senior management experience in community-centered conflict transformation and prevention and/or work with Local, State, Regional, National and International actors.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with EU international assistance program requirements. Senior management level experience in similar grants.
• Experience managing subgrants and contracts under grants for complex projects. Proven ability to manage all aspects of grant and contract administration, and technical assistance staff with a commitment to teamwork.
• Professional experience and knowledge of Nigeria and/or West Africa or experience in similar contexts to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
• Experience overseeing conflict transformation Projects is an advantage.
• Proven ability to manage technical assistance teams and lead multidisciplinary teams while developing a common vision.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of respect and inclusion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English is a requirement

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Work closely with SSM to ensure security strategies for Search Nigeria and that response are appropriate and aligned with regional and global priorities.
• Deliver oversight of security prevention, preparation, and response and recovery activities, particularly in their respective offices and to counter threats emerging from changing political, social, and economic situations.
• Support in developing, reviewing, and ensuring effective implementation of the Search Nigeria Security Management Plans, SOPs/Contingency Plans, including a security plan in assigned offices, together with key staff
• Ensure that all safety and security management systems are in line with existing Search security policy, protocol, and approach
• Implement and ensure effective monitoring of a personnel and vehicle tracking system in each office.
• Support the SSM in planning and implementing risk mitigation strategies (acceptance, deterrence, protection) to improve safety and security.
• Ensure that appropriate safety and security systems are in place to provide timely and accurate security information to all staff members and visitors.
• Provide crisis/Incident management support (evacuation and hibernation) as required.
• Be readily available at all times to the Head of Program Implementation and field staff to advise on security developments.
• Maintain an updated Search staff contact list and security notification tree and test the tree on a regular basis.
• Conduct regular site visits to field sites to assess safety/security arrangements.
• SSO will work closely with Search program staff to facilitate easy access to the program location and conduct regular security risk assessments of the Search program location and facilities.
• The SSO will further assist the SSM in building up the capacity, awareness, and preparedness of staff to deal with security-related risks, threats, and incidents through the delivery of high-quality, regular training or briefings to staff and Search visitors within the area of responsibility
• Supervise and liaise on a daily basis with the contracted guards to ensure the guard force is trained and aware of Search SOPs and is effectively enforcing the required regulations.
• Report, analyze, and communicate the current socio-political context and the security situation, and the wider context (country, region, global trends as applicable).
• Ensure compliance with the incident reporting system, prepare weekly reports for the Field offices and update data on available incident data tools, and ensure that the incident register is updated regularly.
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile daily/weekly situation reports/monthly security analyses and ensure that the information is shared in a timely manner.
• She/he will develop a wide web of relevant contacts of stakeholders to engage with positively to address access challenges, collate and disseminate relevant security information
• Attend security & emergency-related briefings and meetings and share security-related information with third-party security and risk management service providers.

Education and Required Experience

• 2-3 years of relevant experience at the national or international NGOs in safety and security functions
• Experience in liaising with communities, civilians, police, and/or military government authorities as well as with regional institutions preferred.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
• Good context analysis and report writing skills.
• Must be Competent and literate in some of the relevant local languages of the south/south region.
• Willingness to travel at short notice, and often in difficult circumstances.
• Highly organized and systematic with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication and working skills, enjoys a multicultural work environment;
• Ability in Training and facilitation skills using different training media
• Ability to conduct regular mock drills in all offices (e.g. fire drill, evacuation, etc.)

Required Competencies

• Leading and supervising: Has the ability to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of SFCG. Is able to build trust within team and acts with integrity.
• Accountability: Being accountable and passing on accountability for one's own actions and those of colleagues and the organization.
• Attention to detail: The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal - even when the object at stake is of no direct personal interest possibilities.
• Creativity: The ability to come up with original and innovative ideas and solutions, to adopt points of view outside the usual parameters.
• Focus on Quality: Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
• Learning Ability: The ability to absorb new information readily and to put it into practice effectively
• Adaptability: The ability to remain fully functional by adapting to changing circumstances (environment, procedures and people).

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Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Finance Manager in coordinating, and monitoring the implementation of donor-funded projects and programs.
• Manage subgrant transactions effectively and efficiently to ensure quality reporting.
• Coordinates sub-grant start-up processes with respective Sub grantees to ensure smooth project start-up.
• Conduct pre-award financial risk assessments, determine training needs, and provide capacity building to subgrantees.
• Serves as primary contact for local subgrantees and subcontractors on administrative items. Ensures inquiries and needs are promptly addressed to develop and continue positive relationships between subgrantees and SFCG.
• Carries out tasks in support of assigned activities, such as photocopying, processing paperwork, and organizing meetings.
• Maintains a transparent and auditable filing system for grant paperwork.
• Trains local SFCG staff on the purpose, policies, and procedures for grants.
• Maintains a tracker of all subgrants, subcontracts, and other activities under grants.
• Establish a grant tracking mechanism in order to effectively follow up on grant activities, determine progress, and make decisions where further action is needed.
• Work closely with the program department in grant implementation, coordination, and management.
• Support in the reporting process with Subgrantee staff for updates and Field Offices for approvals before submission to the Finance unit for upload to the system.
• Ensure that monthly subgrant reports are submitted on time; that reports are coherent and accurate (monthly, quarterly, interim, or final reports).
• Review Subgrant agreements and coordinate their review with the relevant SFCG field office and Abuja HQ office.  Prepare subgrant agreement modifications when they are needed.
• Ensure that grants are implemented in compliance with Search guidelines and relevant donor regulations.
• Maintains close and continuous communication with representatives of those beneficiaries who received assistance from SFCG.
• Ensure SFCG and donor financial policies and procedures are complied with, and any issues arising from non-compliance are dealt with swiftly and efficiently.
• Capacity building to ensure grants are managed in compliance with donor requirements
• Lead start-up and close-out workshops so project staff understand contractual obligations and donor compliance requirements
• Undertake activities to ensure donor compliance is achieved, including audit support; on-site verification, and data quality via field visits
• Setting up compliance monitoring systems; and producing compliance reports;
• Compliance checks in relation to the Procurement manual and Donor requirements
• Review procurement supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Conduct periodic reviews of compliance and internal control processes of the organization.
• Track and report key functional metrics to reduce expenses and improve effectiveness
• Control spending and build a culture of long-term savings on procurement costs
• The position holder will conduct him/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to SFCG and not jeopardize its mission and objectives;
• Any other function assigned to him/her by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications and Experience

• A degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Studies, or Social Science (a master’s degree in a related subject will be an added advantage).
• At least seven years of experience working in project and/or grant management and proposal/business development/design.
• Experience in developing and interpreting donor budgets.
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges, opportunities, and implications to the community.
• Proven ability to develop and write grant proposals and concepts, and a track record of winning proposals.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, cultural, and diplomatic skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills with close attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities, meet demanding deadlines, and work under pressure in unstable security environments.
• Experience in using Office applications, especially Excel, will be a great advantage
• Travel to program Units and field offices when necessary to support Reviews and Capacity development process