Programme Manager at Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)

NCA is one of the largest aid organisations in the Nordic region. We are there in disasters and emergencies to provide water, protection (GBV/ASRH) and critical assistance to those affected. Together with our international network and partner organisations in the ACT Alliance we are able to reach millions of people each year and help make a positive difference around the world. We are determined to work towards eradicating injustice and we therefore work passionately with advocacy, long-term development in local communities and providing emergency assistance. As we see more and more people impacted by disasters, we now have an even stronger focus on providing more people with emergency relief and access to clean water. We believe that people in need must be helped and we will not stop fighting for a just world.

NCA, together with its implementing partners, has been operational in northeastern Nigeria, implementing humanitarian and development interventions focusing on WASH and GBV/ASRH and emergency response with a strong presence in Borno state.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Manager

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Reporting to: Country Director
Time Frame: 1 year – with possibility of extension (open only for Nigerian Nationals)

Job Summary

• We are now seeking the right candidate to join our team as a Programme Manager to help us further our mission and contribute to enhanced program impact.

General Description

• The Programme Manager (PM) provides strategic leadership for the country programme portfolio, ensuring the effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and delivery of projects and programs in line with organizational priorities, donor requirements, and quality and accountability standards.
• The role leads programme development, grant management, partner engagement, and supports resource mobilization efforts while ensuring strong coordination between programme, finance, operations, and MEAL functions.
• As a member of the country Senior Management Team (SMT), the PM works closely with the Country Director, the country office SMT, partners, and Head Office colleagues, the PM oversees the full project cycle, promotes effective partnership management, and strengthens accountability, learning, and programme quality.
• The position also supports emergency preparedness and response initiatives, fosters collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and provides mentoring, technical guidance, and capacity-building support to staff and partners to enhance programme impact and sustainability.

Job Roles & Responsibilities

• Ensure effective planning, implementation and follow-up of programmes in line with the country office strategy and program quality standards.
• Lead the country office programme team and ensure coordination with finance and operations team.
• Ensure strong grant management across the full project cycle and compliance with donor and NCA requirements.
• Lead programme development processes and contribute to fundraising efforts.
• Strengthen collaboration with partners and stakeholders for effective program delivery and ensure mutual accountability and transparency.
• Line manage the program and MEAL team and ensure use of Programme Information Management System (PIMS) and MEAL systems for quality assurance, learning and knowledge management and adaptation.
• Oversee needs assessments, evaluations, and research to inform programme design, implementation, and proposal development.
• Support emergency preparedness and response planning.
• Lead the development of high-quality funding proposals, including programme and budget design in collaboration with the programme thematic leads and the finance and finance operations team.
• Closely liaise with, assist, and support the NCA Country Director, the Senior Management Team, national staff, and relevant Head Office Colleagues in Oslo to lead high-quality Project Cycle Management and partnership management.
• Promote networking, timely coordination and clear communication among major stakeholders civil society, government, and national NGOs.
• Provide on-the-job mentoring, technical advice, and capacity building of colleagues and partners.

Qualifications & Experience
Essential Criteria:

• Over 5 years’ senior level experience in leading project design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of multi-year grants.
• Contextual knowledge of Nigeria, with deep knowledge of one or more of the particular thematic programmes of NCA Nigeria (WASH, Protection (GBV), ASRH, Livelihoods).
• Experience in leading and motivating teams and working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Successful track record in fundraising and managing multi-year grants
• Experience in grant management of major donor funds, such as Norad, UN, the EU, ECHO etc
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods, together with strong presentation, facilitation, and reporting skills.
• Self-motivated with excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills - able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking;
• Experience in managing and working in partnership with multiple national NGOs and other civil society organizations
• High level of fluency in English, written and oral.
• At least Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Program Management, or a related field.

Additional assets:

• Experience in using Copilot,
• Proficiency in GIS, SPSS, SQL, or other similar software is an additional asset.

Application Closing Date
20th July, 2026.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click here to apply online

Note

• Please ensure that you follow these instructions carefully, as failure to do so may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submission.
• We are committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process, ensuring all applications are evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and relevant experience, free from bias or discrimination.
• We value diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
• Only candidates who meet the specified qualifications will be contacted for the subsequent phases of the recruitment process.

NCA’S Commitments:

• NCA is committed to following the following policies, standards and commitments and all staff are equally expected to conform to their requirements:
  • Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP).
  • Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief.
  • SPHERE Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Relief.
  • NCA Nigeria Security Plan.
  • NCA Nigeria Staff Handbook.
• Norwegian Church Aid is committed to high ethical standards in all our work. All employees are required to sign the following upon employment.