Project Manager at Search for Common Ground (SFCG) -NGO

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict – away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 600 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 53 offices in 30 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with dedicated and enthusiastic staff who love their work. You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.

Since 2003, SFCG has worked through its multi-media division, Common Ground Productions, in Nigeria, from 2004 to 2008 producing and broadcasting a TV series targeting a youth audience. In 2010, SFCG began building its engagement in Nigeria, initiating a multi-year conflict transformation program, utilising media and support to civil society in order to expand and deepen the impact of the Common Ground approach in Nigeria. SFCG has established a permanent presence in Abuja as an operational base for a number of initiatives comprising the country program.  SFCG works to support peaceful resolution of conflict in the areas of Nigeria such as the Niger Delta and Jos.SFCG-Nigeria recently began an 18-month project which focuses on Support in Promoting Building a Peace Architecture in Jos.Search  For Common Ground is recruiting:

Job Tittle: Project  Manager

Location: Jos, Nigeria

Summary of Position

• The Project Manager is responsible for the timely implementation of the activities in the project, maintaining a cohesive and efficient action team of partners and staff, and measuring the impact of the results of the project. Copied: www.hotnigerianjobs.com

Responsibilities     
The Project Manager’s duties include, but are not limited to:

• Organisational Development and Implementation
• Manage an action team for implementation of the project, including  partners, consultants and  staff for the effective implementation of the project
• Manage the administrative and financial systems for the execution of the project
• Ensure the work planning with the action team, implementation and reporting of the activities in respect of the project 
• Work with the Country Director to assess and implement the appropriate strategy for the roll out of the project
• Maintain regular written and oral reporting to the Country Director on key country, regional, program, security and staff issues
• Maintain responsible media coverage of program events and issues in Jos related to SFCG’s organisational mission and the project’s objectives
• Develop and maintain proactive, positive and professional relationships with government offices and officials at federal, state and local level, other NGOS, donors, clients, politicians, key government officials and civil society groups working on peace process in Jos
• Serve as SFCG’s local representative in Jos. Copied: www.hotnigerianjobs.com

Administration

• Manage an effective office from which the project is implemented ensuring compliance with local laws and organizational policies and procedures
• Establish and maintain updated security and evacuation plans
• Oversee the management of grants and budgets, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with internal controls, contract and EU donor guidelines
• Manage and report the finances of the sub-office, establishing and monitoring a system of checks and balances to ensure the program’s financial stability and viability within annual operating budget
• Ensure knowledge management and maintenance of processes to collate official documents that will be turned over to the EU at the end of the project.

Strategic Planning

• The Project Manager will work with the Nigeria Country Director to establish strategic priorities for SFCG in Nigeria, including defining program priorities, plans and long-term strategy within the overall SFCG Africa Program vision and goals. With these priorities, the Project Manager will be expected to:
• Identify and assess current and existing conflict management and prevention initiatives in Jos and the relevant actors and stakeholders
• Identify local partners and target communities, and seek their input through individual meetings and planning sessions
• Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning efforts.
• 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 duties.

Qualifications     
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies and values, as well as possessing the required knowledge, skills and experience for the position:

Core Values and Guiding Principles

• Integrity: Demonstrate consistency in ethical conduct and upholding and promoting the values of SFCG in their actions and decisions, in line with the organization’s mission to help the world understand differences and act on their commonalities.
• Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence, discretion, sound judgment and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Valuing Diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff.

Core Competencies

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation:  Take initiative and be creative in addressing challenges and promoting solutions.
• Work in teams :  Demonstrate ability to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Communicating and Information Sharing :  Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence :  Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others.
•  Conflict Management :  Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge among staff and partners.
   
•  Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making :  Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies

• Strong communications skills, with proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing policy and program documents
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills.
• Good strategic planning, goal-setting and prioritization skills.
• Proven effectiveness in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, donors, NGO partners and beneficiaries.
• Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• An advanced degree in social sciences or related field.
• At least 7 years of experience managing peace-building and/or development projects for an international NGO or multilateral institution.
• At least five (5) years of experience managing a full-time staff of 10 or more.
• At least three (3) years of experience working with governments, donors and civil society organizations at the international and field levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge of EU donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding.
• Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience, particularly with EU grants.
• Demonstrated budgeting, proposal writing, and grants management skills.
• Spoken and written fluency in English.
• Familiarity with dialects indigenous to Jos region would be a plus.

Salary
Commensurate with education and experience, with excellent benefits.

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2013

Method of Application    
Qualified candidates should  send a cover letter and resume  with  the  subject heading : Project Manager -Jos  to: [email protected]

Please be sure to include minimum salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention where you found this posting.