Head of Programmes at ActionAid (AA) Nigeria

ActionAid (AA) Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, which is a global alliance of organisations working towards achieving a world without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys the right to a life with dignity. As a large and visible development organisation, we work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Our expertise lies in community-led approaches to development and working through partnerships with the poor and other grass root organisations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Programmes

Location: Abuja
Responsible To: Director of Programmes
Grade: 10
Line Management: Manager, Local Rights Programme, Manager Social Mobilisation & Manager, Humanitarian & Resilience, Manager Governance

Purpose of Job

• The post holder will be reporting to the Director of Programmes and be a part of the Country Management Team.
• S/he will be responsible for providing support on programme methodologies, design, implementation and evaluation of high-quality programmes and linkages from local to national and international, capacity building and training on rights-based programming skills.
• S/he will also provide strategic leadership to Local Rights Programme, Social Mobilisation, Governance and Humanitarian and Resilience units within ActionAid Nigeria.

Specific Responsibilities
Local Rights Programme, Social Mobilisation, Governance, Humanitarian & Resilience:

Programme Management:

• Provide strategic leadership for the teams without necessarily taking over the role of each of the Managers
• Supervise planning in these teams in line with AAN CSP and AA international prioritises
• Ensure the development and effective implementation of policy and advocacy activities that will complement programme activities within the unit
• Proactively and creatively promote improvement in programme quality in these teams
• Identify key sector issues with regards to the six teams on which ActionAid Nigeria and its partners should focus their advocacy efforts
• Ensure that programming within the team are in line with the HRBA framework
• Provide oversight for donor contract management and donor relations in the team
• Ensure general compliance of the unit to organisational accountabilities.
• Work with Director of Programme to ensure regular meetings of the various working groups and the project steering committee.
• Directs and coordinates the policy analysis and research that provide the evidence base for our national, multi-country and/or international campaigns or programmes,
• Leads the coordination of AAN’s campaigns, Global Secretariate single campaign, programme related communications and media advocacy to achieve our objectives,
• Supports members in their development and implementation of cohesive country communications strategies
• Represent ActionAid Nigeria in relevant external meetings at all levels, building relationships with social movements and other key allies that will reinforce the impact of programmes
• Ensure the timely submission of good quality programme reports as agreed with donors or in project proposal
• Manage the evaluation of programmes both mid-term and final evaluations of all projects and programmes
• Manage the annual Participatory Review and Reflection Process
• Support the documentation and sharing of experience in all programmes within AAN, with partners and within AA
• Represent AAN in alliances and networks both within and outside Nigeria
• Ensure AAN timely submission of Plans and Reports to the Global Secretariate

Financial Management:

• Support management of LRP portfolio income and reserve
• Support effective utilisation of funds in line with projects/programme expectations
• Ensure documents required for release of funds are submitted by dates agreed in each project.

Human Resources Management

• Identify the Human Resource needs of the team and initiate the recruitment of all such staff.
• Participate in the recruitment of all staff of the team (from short-listing to interviews).
• Participate in induction of all new staff of AAN
• Set annual targets for each staff of the Team in consultation with the staff.
• Maintain ongoing monitoring of the performance of staff against targets and ensure prompt corrective actions are taken to address performance issues.
• Appraise all staff of the team in accordance with AAN staff policies
• Ensure that staffs are equipped with skills in participatory methodologies for use in our work in Local Rights Programme, Governance, Social Mobilisation and Humanitarian and Resilience.
• Ensure partners are trained in the use of AAN methodologies at the community level.
• Develop annual staff development plans for the team, balancing staff personal development needs with organisational skills requirement.

Other Organisational Responsibilities:

• Support the sub-unit in new partner selection and periodic partnership assessments and reviews
• Represent AAN at International, national and/or state-level meetings and conferences, as appropriate and agreed with the Director of Programmes.
• Contribute extensively to AAN resource mobilisation efforts.
• Undertake other responsibilities as requested by the Country Director or Director of Programmes.
• Effectively facilitate interdependencies within and the programme Directorate and between Programme and other Directorates.

Key Relationships

• Internal Relationships: Entire AAN Team
• External Relationships: Donors, Partners, CSOs, CBOs and FBOs.

Requirements
Essential:

• First Degree in Social Sciences or Arts / Humanities.
• Master's Degree in a relevant field.

Desirable:

• Membership of relevant professional Institute.

Experience:
Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years work experience
• At least 5 years experience in management position.
• Experience in International development agency
• Experience of community-based work especially working with partners
• Experience of using Human Rights Based approach (HRBA) in programming
• Experience in proposal and report writing
• Understanding of Government & CSO structures/ operations.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Monitoring & Evaluation.

Skills and Abilities:

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

Personal Qualities:

• Proven Leadership Qualities
• Good interpersonal skills
• 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 with minimum supervision
• Effectively promote AAN’s mission, values and objectives.

Application Closing Date
4th April, 2022.