Output Manager: Security and Governance, NSRP at International Alert - Nigeria

International Alert employs over 200 people of 30 nationalities both in our London offices and in the regions where we work. Most are full-time staff, but we also employ consultants, interns and volunteers.

We are looking for a committed and experienced individual to lead one of the Outputs of this innovative and exciting programme:

Job Title: Output Manager: Security and Governance. Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP)

Location: Abuja
Contract duration: To 31st July 2017

Objectives
The Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) is a UK Department for International Development programme running from 2012-17, implemented by a consortium led by the British Council, together with Social Development Direct and International Alert.

The proposed impact of the intervention will be: "The negative impacts of violent conflict on the most vulnerable are reduced in NSRP target states." The intended outcome of the intervention will be that: "Conflict is managed non-violently more often in NSRP target states'.

The programme works at the federal level, in eight states that currently experience high levels of violence and, within these states, in the most violent prone local government areas. The programme will deliver interventions aimed at preventing conflicts becoming violent, promoting appropriate responses when violence breaks out, and supporting reconciliation processes in the aftermath of conflicts.

International Alert is an independent peacebuilding organisation that has worked for over 20 years to lay the foundations for lasting peace and security in communities affected by violent conflict. Our multifaceted approach focuses both in and across various regions; aiming to shape policies and practices that affect peacebuilding; and helping build skills and capacity through training. Our regional work is based in the African Great Lakes, West Africa, Latin America, Lebanon, the South Caucasus, South Asia and the Philippines. Our thematic projects work at local, regional and international levels, focusing on cross-cutting issues critical to building sustainable peace. These include business and economy, gender, governance, aid and security and justice.

Job Purpose

• To provide NSRP strategic and technical management that will deliver programme results, specifically in relation to Security and Governance Output (Output 1)" The post holder will:
• Lead the conceptualisation and implementation of NSRP activity under Output 1
• Provide technical guidance to ensure the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all Output 1 activities at Federal, State and Local levels
• Develop and manage relationships with a wide constituency of actors and stakeholders, with particular relevance to the work conducted under Output 1
• Contribute to overall NSRP strategy-setting and monitoring at a senior level, and to the overall capacity development (skills and knowledge) of the NSRP delivery team

Duties and Responsibilities
The main duties of the role are as follows:

Lead the evolution of technical design and conceptualisation of NSRP activity under Output 1:

• Lead development and revision of output and component plans, ensuring that they continue to meet client, stakeholder and beneficiary requirements, are realistic and achievable, technically sound, and represent best possible value for money;
• Consult widely with relevant actors at Federal, State and local level to develop and document an in-depth understanding of stakeholder and beneficiary perspectives, needs and requirements in relation to Output 1, as well as identifying strategic entry-points for achieving NSRP results;
• Provide subject-based technical guidance and leadership to regional teams to ensure that regional / state level work planning is fully aligned to programme and Output 1 objectives and delivers envisaged results;
• Work collaboratively with the Technical Advisers ( Peacebuilding Adviser & Gender and Conflict Adviser) to ensure that all activities planned under Output 1 benefit from comparative experience with respect to conflict-sensitivity, peacebuilding approaches and gender and social equality factors;
• In consultation with the monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management team, conceptualise innovative and effective approaches to promote the results and achievements of the programme, particularly in relation to Output 1;
• Lead, in consultation with other members of the management team and the Programme's Technical Advisers, on the design of terms of reference, including the monitoring and quality assurance arrangements, for inputs relating to Output 1.

Provide technical guidance to ensure the implementation, monitoring and reporting of all Output 1 activity at Federal, State and Local level:

• Establish, and provide management and oversight of, the Output-level workplan, ensuring effective prioritisation of work both within the output and across the programme as a whole; management and oversight of operational budgets, value for money strategy, risk management and M&E for the output;
• Maintain strong working relations with the NSRP's federal and regional delivery teams, agreeing and signing off on Output 1 activity contained within state level workplans; and providing technical and management support to the preparation of regional / state workplans;
• Identify and commission Nigerian partners to deliver work under the output, balancing innovation against risk to make informed judgements about partner selection; delivering appropriate support and nurturing effective, collaborative relationships;
• Identify and source national and international consultancy and training resources to provide value-added inputs to the programme in line with output plans; establish technical delivery standards and quality assure all inputs and deliverables from consultants and other resources commissioned and deployed;
• Quality assure the delivery of Output activities and impact from a technical perspective;
• Provide technical inputs (training, facilitation, accompaniment, research, strategy development, etc) in line with expertise relevant to management of violent conflict and peacebuilding, including leading on capacity development strategy for NSRP staff and partnering organisations;
• In consultation with the M&E Manager design intermediate indicators which assess the performance of individual activities and components; design and implement a process of capturing and reporting the data so as to inform on-going output and programme design; collaborate with the M&E Manager to ensure that data gathering process for logframe indicators is completed in line with standards;
• In consultation with the Deputy Programme Manager (Resources) agree value for money efficiency indicators covering key elements of components under the Output;
• Identify, evaluate and if appropriate design mitigation measures for risks affecting the performance of the Output;
• Report on all aspects of work carried out under the Output to the timeframes, standards and formats set by the Programme Manager.

Develop and manage relationships with a wide constituency of actors and stakeholders, with particular relevance to the work conducted under Output:

• Establish, maintain and actively manage effective relationships with key stakeholders within relevant Federal and State level institutions (government and non-governmental) that will facilitate effective delivery of and contribute to raising the programme's profile and impact;
• Build credibility for NSRP in the area of management of violent conflict with DFID advisers, other relevant programmes and key figures within the development community;
• Identify and, with agreement from Programme Manager, participate in cross-sector coordination and knowledge sharing & transfer forums that can maximise visibility and impact for NSRP, acting as a spokesperson for the NSRP as required.

Contribute to overall NSRP strategy-setting and monitoring at a senior level, and to the overall capacity development (skills and knowledge) of the NSRP delivery team:

• Using personal and professional insights, provide regular input to the overall strategic direction of NSRP through active participation in all relevant staff fora as directed by the Programme Manager;
• Support the Programme Manager with readily available advice, insights and analysis related to Output 1;
• Coordinate and manage contributions to the development of programme policy, strategy, design and work planning, drawing on own knowledge of the sector, stakeholders, partners and clients, sector risks, opportunities and trends;
• Contribute to the overall development of 'best practice' in the design and delivery of multi-faceted conflict prevention programmes, helping to foster an appreciation within Nigeria of the NSRP as being "exemplary" in its field;
• Support the Programme Manager to identify the strengths, gaps and lessons within the team; provide technical and management coaching as required;
• Lead occasional "in-house" seminars, workshops and other fora to ensure that knowledge of the NSRP's work and achievements are shared amongst the whole team;
• Undertake professional development activity each year in line with own objectives and in agreement with the line manager.

Travel requirements

• Regular travel will be required to programme areas across Nigeria all of which suffer from insecurity.
• The post holder will be required to comply with the NSRP Security Management Plan.
• Occasional unsociable hours will be required to be worked, for operational purposes

Personal Specification
At Alert, we have introduced Talent Management to our business model as we believe talented people are crucial to the success of our work. We believe all individuals are talented and success comes in matching the right talents to the right roles. For this role, the skills, qualifications and experience listed below are important, but we believe that to be great in this job you are likely, first and foremost, to have a talent for supporting partner and stakeholders understanding and analysing conflict at community, regional and national levels and visioning a peacebuilding response which can strengthen relations and deliver positive change at all levels. You will also have a talent for developing and delivering clear project plans and budgets, and gather lessons from practice to inform strategic planning for the programme and its stakeholders

Essential Requirements
This is what we will be looking for above all else:

• Post-graduate Degree in International Relations, Social Sciences, Social Development or a related field.
• Significant experience of managing field-based peacebuilding or development projects or programmes.
• Proven success in designing strategies and projects, project planning and impact monitoring
• Proven success in managing partnerships and collaborative working relationships.
• Experience of sourcing and managing external consultants, both national and international.
• At least five (5) years' experience of responsibility for financial management of projects including designing and managing budgets and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of project management and planning tools.
• Familiarity with log frames, baselines, and indicators and fluency in using these tools.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and processes.
• Familiarity with rights, inclusion, gender equality and human security frameworks.
• Excellent report-writing and oral presentation skills.
• Excellent communication, networking and inter-personal ability.
• Excellent strategic, analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Strong computer skills (e.g. MS Word, Excel etc).

Desirable Requirements

• Post-graduate degree or certificate in conflict management and/or peacebuilding
• Experience of implementing projects on managing violent conflict through strengthening capacity and coordination.
• Experience of managing DFID-funded programmes.
• Experience of human resource management including recruitment, performance review and mentoring/support.
• Advanced theoretical grasp of monitoring and evaluation processes and strategies.
• Strong capacity in gender analysis and linking gender into conflict analysis.

Summary Terms and Conditions

• Salary: Competitive INGO salary
• Leave entitlement: Up to 36 days per year including Bank Holidays and the days between Christmas and New Year.
• Notice period: There will be an initial six month probationary period during which notice will be one month on either side. On successful completion of the probationary period the notice will be three months.
• Working hours: Based on Nigerian Law
• Relocation Allowance: There will be some relocation support. However, as this is an unaccompanied post, the relocation allowance does not, unfortunately cover dependants. Nor will accommodation costs be covered by Alert

Application Closing Date
Friday, 8th May, 2015 at 5pm (UK time)

Interviews Date
18th May, 2015

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send a completed Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form to: [email protected]

Click here to download Application Form

Click here to download Equal Opportunities Form