Manager, Governance at ActionAid Nigeria

ActionAid is an anti-poverty agency that prioritises works with the poor and excluded; promoting values and commitment in civil society, institutions and Governments with the aim of achieving structural changes in order to eradicate injustices and poverty in the world. ActionAid Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, an International Non-Governmental organisation registered in The Netherlands with its headquarters in Johannesburg South Africa. ActionAid International works in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

ActionAid Nigeria is inviting applications from qualified candidate to fill the position within the organisation below:

Job Title: Manager, Governance

Location: Abuja
Reporting to: Head of Programmes
Line Management: SMILE Project Manager, SCEEP Project Advisor, F4D, PATS-F (Promoting Accountability and Transparency in School Feeding) & Breaking barriers project
Grade: 8

Job Purpose

• The post holder will be responsible for leading and motivating the Governance Team to plan and manage activities aimed at achieving the goals and objectives of its strategy focus. 
• He/she will report to the Head of Programmes and be a member of the Country Management Team; be responsible for providing oversight functions for the respective projects under this strategic focus.

Key Duties
Programme:

• Provide input to strategic plans especially with regards to quantitative performance measures and indicators
• To ensure collaboration between the staff of the Governance unit and other Programme staff
• Coordinate federal government annual budget review by different units to inform advocacy on AAN strategic focus.
• To ensure that plans are consistent with guidelines and procedures agreed with respective donors and in accordance with specific needs of ActionAid Nigeria.
• Lead the unit to develop monthly and quarterly work plans in accordance with ongoing activities and plans for the year.
• Monitor progress and ensure timely implementation of planned activities, especially those that feed into the work of other staff and partners.
• To provide technical support to the impact assessment and shared learning team of AAN.
• Responsible for overall policy and advocacy issues on governance
• Link closely with other staff, partner organisations and networks, both national and international, in Governance for effective advocacy work at the state and national levels, especially in partner communities.
• To support in recruitment, assessment and on the job training of governance issues as it affects gender, health, elections in partner offices and projects.
• Promote the adoption of participatory approaches by partners and other actors
• Strengthen AAN staff capacity in Human Rights Based Approach and Accountability Learning and Performance Systems (ALPS)
• Lead the team in project steering committee meetings

Human Resource Management:

• Participate in the recruitment and induction of all team members
• Coordinate the objective setting and appraisals for team members according to organisational policies. Also, develop annual staff development plans with the Team, balancing staff personal development needs with organisational skills requirement.
• Provide support and motivate staff to meet targets.
• Ensure that staff are equipped with skills in participatory methodologies for use in our work in Governance and that partners are trained in the use of these methodologies for the work at the community level.
• Make recommendations of policies, procedures and arrangements that adequately support and motivate staff and partners of the Governance team
• Provide line management support to appropriate staff of the governance unit.

Financial Management:

• Lead the Team to develop annual budgets in accordance with AA financial guidelines taking into consideration existing commitments of AAN.
• Approve all advances, procurement plans and sign off on retirements of floats and funds taken. 
• Monitor the monthly management accounts and take up issues relating to Governance for action.
• Ensure judicious use of resources raised by AAN for Governance’s activities, ensure  expenditure is within agreed plans and in accordance with AAN financial policies or project framework.

Collaboration with Partners:

• Lead the participation of AAN in other Governance networks, alliances and campaigns in Nigeria.
• Lead AAN’s engagement with other Governance units in the region
• Lead the team to build the capacity of networks and alliances in Governance.
• Collaborate with networks and AAN partners to conduct research on issues of common interest.
• Collaborate and exchange information with networks and other organisations in areas of common interest.

Reporting and Accountability:

• Ensure the provision of periodic reports and special reports on activities carried out (such as training reports) by the team.
• Contribute to AAI annual plans and reports
• Provide technical support in the development of strategic documents such as country and programme strategy papers, which chart out the way forward for policy and advocacy work in AAN.
• Ensure timely, informative reports to donors in accordance with donor reporting requirements.

Representation:

• Represent AAN and ensure the maintenance of optimum relations at all levels with Government agencies, Private Organisations, as well as Non-Governmental Organisation in the country.
• Represent AAN in the civic participation working group of International Platform (IP2)

Others:

• Provide support on proposal writing as well as identify new fundraising opportunities for the unit.
• Actively take part in the overall policy, programme, procedure and strategy development of AAN in general.
• Assume any other responsibilities relevant to the position as assigned by the Head of Programmes.

Internal Relationships: 

• Entire AAN staff   

External Relationships:

• Partners, Relevant Government Agencies, Donor Community, INGO           
• Community and other stakeholders.

Person Specifications
Education/Qualifications:

• First degree in Social sciences or Arts/humanities is essential
• Master’s degree in relevant field is essential
• Membership of relevant professional Institute

Experience:

• Eight (8) years minimum working experience is essential
• At least four years’ experience in a similar position is essential
• Management experience including in Governance & elections is essential
• Strong programming experience is essential
• Experience in national and state level policy making procedures and advocacy is essential
• Experience in building networks and working with partner organisations is essential
• Experience in proposal and report writing is essential
• Experience in international development work

Skill/Abilities:

• Ability to recognise and exploit new fundraising opportunities
• Strong communication and report writing skills
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills.
• Excellent planning and prioritization skills
• Ability to provide practical solutions within set deadlines
• Negotiation skills
• Excellent planning and prioritization skills
• Demonstrable IT skills
• Multi-tasking skills
• Highly numerate

Personal Abilties:

• A person of integrity
• Creative and takes initiative.
• Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times.
• Self motivated person able to work without close supervision
• Effectively promote AAN’s mission, values and objectives
• Proven Leadership Qualities

Application Closing Date
9th April, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should kindly download and complete the  "Application Form" below and send together with their Curriculum Vitae in MSWord attachment to: Jobopenings.Nigeria@actionaid.org Subject line of emails must state clearly, job title of position applied for and location e.g Manager,  Governance - Abuja.

Click Here to Download Application Form (MSWord)

Note

• Only electronically submitted forms will be considered. Scanned application forms will be disregarded.
• ActionAid offers competitive terms of employment. Applications from women are particularly encouraged.
• While we respect all applicants, interview dates will be communicated only to shortlisted candidates.