Resident Program Director at National Democratic Institute

NDI Programs in Nigeria
In partnership with USAID-Nigeria, NDI’s program Strengthening Transparency, Research, Independence and Development is aimed at implementing fiscal and procurement reforms in Nigeria’s Bayelsa state.  Located within the oil-rich Niger Delta region, Bayelsa produces 30 percent of Nigeria’s oil, but it is one of the least developed of the country’s 36 states.  In 2009, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly enacted public procurement and fiscal responsibility legislation to improve transparency and accountability in the management of state funds. However, many provisions of the 2009 legislation have not been implemented. 

Since the 1998/99 transition from military to civilian rule, NDI has supported the efforts of Nigerian civil society and legislators to strengthen the country’s political processes and nascent democratic institutions.  NDI currently provides technical assistance to Nigerian civil society groups as they advocate for electoral reforms, conduct civic education, and engage in citizen observation of upcoming gubernatorial races. For more information on NDI’s programs in Nigeria, please visit: http://www.ndi.org/nigeria.

• Design, manage and implement NDI’s fiscal and procurement reform program in Bayelsa state;
• Provide technical assistance to various state government institutions in organizational development, procurement policies and processes, and fiscal management;
• Provide day-to-day management and oversight of assigned local program staff;
• Ensure programmatic goals are achieved in accordance with program objectives and  workplans;
• Draft and submit accurate and timely field reports that monitor and measure program results and analyze political developments;
• Ensure that the program adheres to NDI and donor financial regulations;
• Collaborate with other NDI Nigeria program teams to maximize cross-programmatic activities;
• Coordinate office security with NDI Abuja and D.C.-based staff;
• Develop and maintain constructive relationships with key partners in government, civil society and the donor community; and
• Represent NDI to Bayelsa government officials, election authorities, elected officials, political parties, USAID and other development partners, and local and international non-governmental organizations.

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in law, public administration, political science, international relations, or a relevant field; graduate degree preferred;
• Solid democracy and governance background with a minimum of fourteen (14) years of experience related to parliaments and legal/institutional frameworks, with a focus on fiscal and procurement reform;Substantive senior-level political experience in budget and procurement issues, working for a legislature, executive branch, or civil society organization, especially at the sub-national level;
• Significant training experience and workshop facilitation skills;
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities;
• Experience working in multi-cultural settings, and a demonstrated ability to thrive in a challenging environment;
• Experience implementing or overseeing political development programs, preferably in Africa;
• Exceptional interpersonal and managerial skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy-makers;
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills;
• Proven ability to manage large budgets and to effectively lead and manage staff;
• Effective communication, and networking skills, and a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships;
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English;
• Proven ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by program stakeholders;
• Experience in implementing USAID-funded programs desirable; and
• Knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheets (Microsoft Suite), e-mail and internet technology.