State Program Manager at Gidauniya Aid Empowerment Foundation Initiative (GAEFI)

Gidauniya Aid Empowerment Foundation Initiative (GAEFI) is a registered, non-profit, non-political, and non-religious humanitarian and development organization dedicated to transforming lives, fostering peace, and building resilience among vulnerable communities in Nigeria, with a special focus on Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. Our work is anchored on the belief that every individual regardless of background, gender, or circumstance deserves equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and a safe, peaceful environment to thrive. The organization began its work in Borno and Yobe State delivering interventions across key sectors including health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), protection, education, and food security and livelihoods. From inception, GAEFI has prioritized transparency, community ownership, and program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: State Program Manager

Location: Borno / Kano / Katsina / Sokoto & Zamfara
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: State-level Project Officers, MEAL Officers, Field Officers.

Position Summary

• The State Program Manager will provide overall leadership, coordination, and management of GAEFI’s programs within the assigned state. The role is responsible for strategic planning, program implementation, staff supervision, stakeholder engagement, budget oversight, and ensuring quality and accountability across all interventions.
• The position requires strong management experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to coordinate multi-sectoral humanitarian and development activities in challenging operational environments.

Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Management:

• Provide strategic direction for all program activities at state level in line with GAEFI’s mission, donor requirements, and organizational priorities.
• Lead planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all projects within the state.
• Ensure timely delivery of project activities, outputs, and indicators as per approved workplans.
• Supervise state program teams and ensure high standards of performance, accountability, and teamwork.

Coordination & Representation:

• Represent GAEFI at state-level coordination forums, including clusters, government meetings, partner platforms, and donor engagements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government authorities, community leaders, UN agencies, INGOs/NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
• Strengthen collaboration between GAEFI and local partners to ensure effective service delivery and community engagement.

Program Quality, MEAL & Reporting:

• Ensure all program activities adhere to organizational standards, donor guidelines, and humanitarian principles.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to ensure proper monitoring, data collection, learning, and reporting.
• Support quality assurance through regular field visits, activity supervision, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Prepare and submit high-quality weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.

Financial & Resource Management:

• Oversee state-level budgets, expenditures, and financial planning in coordination with the Finance department.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and internal financial policies.
• Monitor efficient use of resources and support procurement processes at the state level.

Staff Management & Capacity Building:

• Lead, mentor, and supervise state-level project staff and volunteers.
• Conduct regular team meetings, performance reviews, and staff development plans.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment aligned with safeguarding principles.

Community Engagement & Accountability:

• Ensure meaningful community participation in all phases of the project cycle.
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms (CFM, feedback sessions, community dialogues).
• Promote gender inclusion, protection mainstreaming, and conflict sensitivity across all interventions.

Areas of Accountability
The State Program Manager will be accountable for:

Program Delivery:

• Effective execution of project activities according to workplans and donor requirements.

Quality & Compliance:

• Ensuring all programs meet quality standards, safeguarding policies, MEAL requirements, and humanitarian principles.

Data & Reporting:

• Timely submission of accurate reports, data, success stories, and documentation.

Leadership & Coordination:

• Maintaining strong partnerships with government, partners, and community stakeholders.

Financial Stewardship:

• Efficient budget management, compliance, and proper use of program resources.

Qualifications & Experience
Minimum Requirements:

• BSc. in Social Sciences, Public Health, Development Studies, Management, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 5–6 years experience in humanitarian or development program management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Experience managing donor-funded projects (UN, INGOs, foundation grants, etc.).
• Solid understanding of project cycle management, MEAL, budgeting, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to work in insecure or hard-to-reach areas.
• Excellent communication, representation, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in English and local languages is an added advantage.

Application Closing Date
30th November, 2025.