Project Coordinator at VSO Nigeria

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.

Following the success of our Making Markets Work for the Poor MMW4P project, VSO has secured funding from a strategic donor to implement a new 5 year global project - Increasing Market Access for the Poor (IMA4P).

VSO Nigeria is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and competent person to fill the position of Project Coordinator.

Job Title: Project Coordinator IMA4P

Ref No: 0040533
Location: Minna, Nigeri State

Job Description
The successful candidate will be responsible for achieving the project objectives in Nigeria. Core duties will include:

Market Development and Project Management

• With the guidance of the Project Manager, plan, implement and monitor IMA4P program activities with partner organizations in line with the proposal and implementation plan;
• To implement appropriate interventions, including larger scale collaboration with multiple stakeholders to create systemic shifts in the market;
• To work explicitly with the private sector and other actors along the value chain partners to develop replicable, inclusive business models;
• Assist the Project Manager in developing sub-sector analysis and economic appraisals using specialists and technical consultants;
• Produce progress reports, M&E updates case studies and impact stories for the IMA4P project and other Market Development projects in all the clusters including Annual Program Review process;
• To develop, support and evaluate strategic partnerships and volunteer placements.

Skills Development:

• Organize and support facilitation of Market Development training modules, activities, stakeholder workshops, and learning opportunities for partner organizations, volunteers and staff;
• To take a leading role in the IMA4P documentation and dissemination of good practices to all Secure Livelihoods partners, stakeholders and volunteers;
• Plan, facilitate and carry out impact assessment and monitoring & evaluation activities, including participatory Partnership Development Process and focus group discussions producing high quality reports;
• To contribute to the strategic planning process within the country Program, including direct input to the Secure Livelihoods Program Area and other activities in the Country Strategic Plan;
• To network with Federal, State and Local government representatives and international organisations as appropriate and fulfill an advocacy role as and when required;
• To work with the Country office staff to enhance internal systems and technical capacity on knowledge management;
• Disseminate information to volunteers, national partners and key stakeholders in Nigeria via the VSO web-sites, online mentoring resources and other knowledge management methods;
• Assist the People and Operations Manager in providing support to volunteers in their work, including resolving any professional problems that may arise and maximising the impact of the volunteer role;
• Fulfil other appropriate level responsibilities as defined by the Project Manager from time to time.

Skills, qualifications and experience required
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate must have the following qualifications and experience:

• Relevant university degree.
• Significant experience in a similar role with proven track record of being able to effectively deliver on agreed objectives and targets.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to negotiate, persuade and vary communication content and style to suit audiences in order to inform, motivate and inspire.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to manage focus group discussions.
• Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, Power Point and/or Microsoft Project and other software.
• Working knowledge of market development, small-scale enterprise/ rural enterprise development, natural resource management and conservation.
• Substantial project management experience with ability to manage and prioritize own workload to achieve high quality results.
• In-depth working knowledge of participatory methods of assessment, monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Substantial experience of working and managing partnership with government and civil society organizations.
• Knowledge and experience of development issues at national and international level.
• Able to self manage, mentor and coach.
• Innovative and resourceful, with the ability to solve problems, working as part of a team.
• Ability to adapt knowledge and experience to Nigeria and support others to adapt ideas to their own context.
• Ability to adapt to new and demanding situations.
• Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings.
• Enthusiastic and good team player.

Desirable

• Understanding of the role international volunteer’s play in development.
• Experience working in the geographic area and understanding of local customs and norms.
• Ability to speak fluent Hausa and experience living and working in northern Nigeria.
• Due to anticipated interest in this post, only short-listed candidates will receive a response.

Application Closing Date
Friday, 11 July 2014, 17:00 GMT

Interview/Assessment date(s)
21/7/2014

Start Date
1st August 2014

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here to download the job description in PDF format