Programme Manager - Justice for All (J4A) at British Council Nigeria

The British Council is the world's leading cultural relations organization and creates opportunities for people in the UK and worldwide to understand each other, to work together and learn from one another. We see this as crucial to building secure, more prosperous and sustainable futures for us all. We build trust and understanding between different countries and cultures and develop strong international links that are of benefit to people in Britain and the rest of the world.

We are recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: National Programme Manager - Justice for All (J4A) Programme

Report to: Programme Director, J4A
Location: Abuja
Duration of job: 2 years

Purpose of job

• To provide technical and management oversight of the DFID-funded Justice for All (J4A) Programme, ensuring successful delivery of the programme's outputs.

Context and Environment
The British Council is the managing agent for the £48m+ DFID-funded Justice for All (J4A) Programme. This programme aims to support Nigerian stakeholders through provision of services to the Federal Government of Nigeria, as well as selected state governments in the DFID focal states of Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Kaduna, Jigawa and the FCT. The expected outcome is to improve the capability, accountability and responsiveness of the key organisations in the safety, security and justice sector. The specific outputs of the J4A Programme are:

• More effective and accountable policing
• Access to justice and equitable results improved
• More effective and strengthened anti-corruption agencies
• Cross-sector coordination and external oversight enhanced

Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Main Duties

• The National Programme Manager is accountable for:
• Delivery of the Programme's technical outputs and results to DFID's satisfaction;
• The financial management of the Programme to DFID and British Council corporate standards.
• The National Programme Manager is responsible for:
• Managing the programme delivery team (technical and managerial);
• Managing the programme office, including resources;
• Managing oversight of robust M&E systems and processes.
• The National Programme Manager will serve as the Programme's key point of contact for DFID, local partners and other relevant stakeholders.

The main duties include:

• Safety and security oversight of the entire programme
• Provide overall strategic direction in consultation with DFID
• Lead the preparation of work plans, technical reports and monitoring & evaluation reports
• Oversight of implementation & monitoring of all programme activities
• Oversee and contribute substantially to the M&E and learning strategy & framework
• Oversight of project finances, grants management and the value-for-money (VFM) strategy
• Oversee recruitment and performance management of programme staff and consultants
• Relationship & stakeholder management, including Federal Government, state governments, MDAs, FCO, DFID & other international donors
• Develop, maintain and regularly update risk management strategy
• Lead on communications, publicity and 'visibility' of J4A with Nigerian media

Staff Management:

• Direct: 4 Component managers, Technical/ M&E Lead, Head Resources & Development & 3 Regional Programme coordinators.

Key Relationships: (include internal and external)

• Internal: SSA Programmes Director, Country Director BC Nigeria, NSRP Programme Manager, Component Managers, Technical and M&E lead, Head Resources & Development, Human Resources & Consultancy Manager and programme staff
• External: DFID Nigeria, senior management of related donor-funded projects; consultants; external partner organisations; state institutions, academic institutions, etc.

Other important features or requirements of the job

• The position will require extensive travel to the States & Regions of J4A operations, including insecure regions, subject to the prevailing travel and security policy implemented by J4A. Unsocial and over-hours are likely to be required to meet operational requirements of the post.

Person Specification

Behaviours for Interview:
Essential:

• Connecting with others (most demanding): Building trust and understanding with people who have very different views.
• Being Accountable ( most demanding): Showing real dedication to the long-term mission of the British Council or the team
• Working together( most demanding): Creating the environment in which others who have different aims can work together
• Making it happen (most demanding): Achieving stretching results when faced by change, uncertainty or major obstacles.

Assessment stage
Interview only

Other Behaviours
Essential:

• Creating Shared Purpose: (most demanding)
• Shaping the future (most demanding)

Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential:

Sector Knowledge:

• Demonstrable comprehensive understanding of Nigerian security & justice and governance sector and the ability to make critical judgements and use that to inform/influence planning
• Practical familiarity with political economy analysis and conflict assessment approaches
• Knowledge and practical application of conflict sensitive programming approaches

Project Management:

• Proven record of working as a Programme Manager / Team Leader in donor-funded security & justice or governance programmes
• Proven expertise in the management of donor M&E and reporting frameworks
• Evidence of financial management and / or oversight of complex multi-annual budgets

Managing Risk:

• Demonstrate previous experience of managing risk and security policy in a conflict affected environment.
• Undertakes business risk identification (technical, political and financial) and analysis for specific initiatives. Uses this to inform approach and manage risk

Relationship Building:

• Ability to identify, build and manage relationships with federal and state actors at the highest level for strategic gain.
• Ability to actively lobby and win support behind the scenes, using diplomacy and political awareness

Communication Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, including a very good knowledge (verbal and written) of English, with advanced presentation, persuasion and negotiation skills

Desirable:

• Previous experience of grants management

Assessment stage
Short-listing and interview

Experience
Essential:

• Minimum 10 years' experience in security & justice or governance sectors of which at least 5 years in a senior management & leadership capacity
• Minimum 5 years management experience specifically in the design and implementation of complex multi-component programmes in security & justice or governance sectors

Desirable:

• Familiarity with DFID policies and procedures, particularly the Blue Book procedures
• Experience of working in West Africa, preferably Nigeria, is highly desirable.

Assessment stage
Short-listing and interview

Qualification
Essential:

• Postgraduate qualification in Development, Law or related disciplines

Assessment stage
Short-listing and interview

Remuneration
Competitive

Application Closing Date
11:59 p.m, 23rd February, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here for more information