State Project Director at Plan International (4 Openings)

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-profit organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and enable children to prepare for - and respond to - crises and adversity. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: State Project Director

Locations: Katsina, Kaduna, Kogi & Niger

Role Purpose

• The Accelerated Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project aims to increase the utilization of quality, cost-effective nutrition services for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls and children under five years in Nigeria.
• The World Bank-funded programme will be implemented across selected states through community-based nutrition services. In Kaduna State, there will also be an additional element of the provision of adolescent health services.
• The project will be implemented by Plan International Nigeria in the state  in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, local CSO partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• The Project Director will be responsible for effective implementation of the programme and delivery of results within their state of responsibility.

Dimension of Role
The post holder will:

• Lead on overall project management implementation in line with agreed donor guidelines and Plan International polices.
• Provide overall leadership in the management of project budget, risk and outcomes.
• Motivate project team and partners for successful implementation of the project.
• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with relevant government and other stakeholders.

Key Roles/Responsibilities

• Provide overall technical and managerial oversight and leadership for the project in the state and contribute to development of strategic vision for the programme
• Ensure the project is delivered in line with agreed timescales and budget, including putting in place mechanisms for effective project start-up
• Supervise field operations, project administration, logistics and procurement
• Ensure that all delivery partners are aware of, and compliant with, World Bank and Plan International standards procedures and regulations
• Oversee the consolidation and submission of quality project reports on time (narrative and financial reports)
• Engage effectively with key national, regional, and community stakeholders, including government, donors, civil society and service providers to ensure smooth delivery of the programme
• Lead recruitment of new staff as and when required with Plan UK and Plan Nigeria HR teams
• Represent the project externally at national level, as needed and agreed by matrix management supervisors
• Ensure that Plan International`s global policies for Child Protection (CPP), Safeguarding, and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded across all project activities.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge
Essential:

• Master's Degree in a relevant field such as Nutrition, Public Health or equivalent, Sociology, MBA
• At least 10 years of experience managing development projects, preferably in Africa, with a strong focus on field implementation
• Experience managing projects with a focus on behaviour change
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) in English

Desirable:

• Extensive experience in managing complex programmes in challenging environments, ideally in Nigeria (direct experience of managing programmes in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, or Kogi states would be an advantage)
• Experience in managing commercial contracts and/ or implementing Payment by Results programming
• Applied technical knowledge in thematic area of nutrition (either as a technical expert or project manager). Knowledge of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) and/ or Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) would be an advantage
• Consortium management experience with working through partners
• Previous experience in fund management
• Applied knowledge of World Bank procedures would be an advantage
• Demonstrable leadership and people management skills
• Experience with procurement and logistics (ideally in Nigeria)
• Demonstrable applied knowledge of Adaptive Management programming would be an advantage
• Demonstrated knowledge of management accounting skills
• Strong relationships with nutrition/public health sector specialists and relevant government offices in Nigeria
• Nigerian national with the ability to articulate and demonstrate a strong understanding of the contextual challenges faced by communities in Nigeria (ideally in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, or Kogi states).

Application Closing Date
17th February, 2020

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

Note: Positions are contingent upon award. Also, candidates should specify the location they are applying for.