Program Manager at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

Voluntary Service Overseas (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Manager (North East Nigeria)

Location: Gombe (Covering Borno, Adamawa and Yobe), Nigeria
Contract Length: 4 months
Full Time: 35 hours per week
Start Date: 15th November, 2019.

Job Purpose

• This role will manage program implementation in the NE States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the area of vulnerability and risks assessment, stakeholder’s engagement and PAR. Contribute to the analysis, documentation/ knowledge management, coordination, reporting, liaison and networking of activities across the State’s.
• The PM will work closely with the Livelihoods and Education PMs and ensure that all VSO projects are integrating resilience approaches.
• S/he is also responsible for providing technical support on implementation, coordination, networking, and liaison with partners, government, and other stakeholders.
• S/he will support program implementation in the different core programme areas with focus on disaster management and building resilient communities.

Responsibilities
Technical Support:

• Support stakeholder mapping of humanitarian and resilience stakeholders (building on and utilizing existing mapping mechanisms i.e. OCHA 5W system)
• Conduct risk assessments and community disaster risk preparedness and management plans - Support in program delivery and monitoring based on the CPA entry point
• Oversee and provide technical input to the design, procedures, framework, tools and guidelines as needed for the Project
• Provide technical support to partners on integration of resilience, SIG and SA in alignment to program delivery
• Participate and represent VSO at key State sector coordination forums i.e. Early Recovery and Livelihoods and Education  Sector Technical Working Group (TWG), etc

Knowledge Management:

• Support in the collection and or publication of good practices, success stories, project outcome documents, etc.
• Develop knowledge products, communication materials and other IEC materials to promote awareness raising about peaceful and resilient communities
• Contribute to existing BAY States knowledge and information management processes aimed at enhancing resilience advocacy through the monthly submission of 5W datasets to relevant sectors.
• Share any assessment reports / findings through the existing intersector assessment mechanisms led by REACH and OCHA. 

State Level Coordination:

• Participate in State level (Borno, Adamawa, & Yobe) coordination forums i.e. MOFCOM, Sector TWG Meetings etc. 
• Ensure VSO humanitarian and resilience program alignment to Government and UN Strategic priorities by participating in the 2020 Humanitarian Needs Overview and Strategic Response Planning process
• Ensure coordination of assessments through the Lead Sector Agency, REACH and OCHA.

Capacity Building:

• Support in building the capacity of partners and external stakeholders on EWER systems within communities
• Disseminate information to communities and relevant stakeholders
• Provide training, support and coaching to partner staff on areas of gaps and tools such as Participatory Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (PVCA) to develop risk management plans disasters and conflicts

Monitoring and reporting:

• Set agreed tools, indicators and milestones based on the result framework developed
• Provide feedback to the programme team based on the field monitoring visits 
• Support the project team in developing high quality project/ programme reports regarding resilience perspective
• Liaise with VSO colleagues and some project partners to ensure timely submission of contributions. 

Networking and Project Logistics Support:

• Coordinate and build relationship with government, CSOs, partners, Sector Lead agencies, and private sectors.
• Support in arranging venue, resources, and stationery for projects workshops and trainings
• Facilitate the organization partner meetings and field risk assessment processes.

Key Performance Indicator:

• The final objectives will be confirmed in a three way discussion between the volunteer, employer and VSO in the first three months of the placement.

Skill, Knowledge & Experience
Professional skills and qualifications needed for the position:

• Bachelor or Master's degree in Development Studies or any relevant field, with relevant work experience in the design and implementation of EWER systems/mechanisms or other related areas in the Rural/Urban context. 
• Practical experience and knowledge on conflict management, peacebuilding and practices, core humanitarian standard, rights based approach, gender and social inclusion 
• Experience in conducting study on shocks and stresses assessment in the field level · Knowledge on resilience interventions, especially in Nigeria
• Experience in developing training module and early warning identification and response mechanisms 
• Experience working in resilient programs targeting marginalised communities
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Hausa language 
• Excellent coordination, networking and facilitation skills 
• Good knowledge in project cycle management 
• Excellent attention to detail, capacity gap analysis, documentation and data.

Personal qualifications needed for the position:

• Committed to rights based and gender sensitivity work, pro-poor policy, committed and strong civil society organizations and social mobilization. 
• Able, willing and committed to work with people from different backgrounds 
• Contribute constructively to a working environment based on mutual respect, trust and commitment 
• Able to cope with stress and work under any challenging circumstances.

Compentencies:

• Building and Sustaining working relationships  The social skills to build and actively maintain working relationships that foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal.
• Open Minded and Respectful A non-judgemental approach that values other people and culture.
• Seeking and Sharing Knowledge Recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process.
• Facilitating Positive Change The ability to analyse problems and develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches.
• Adaptability - A flexible approach and the ability to adapt behaviour to different situations.
• Resilience - The self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity.

Application Closing Date
20th September, 2019.

Interview/Assessment Date
26th November 2019

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

Click here for more information (pdf)