Project Manager _ United in Security: A Collaborative Approach to Civilian Protection in Nigeria

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful transformation of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict—moving away from destructive approaches and towards cooperative solutions. With more than 700 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and North America. Position Summary Search is seeking an experienced Project Manager for a consortium project in Benue and Adamawa States. The role will specifically provide programme implementation leadership in managing a 12-month cost extension period for a project funded by the United States Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). The project will be implemented in consortium with two implementing Partners namely: Initiative for Justice Development and Peace Commission (IJDPC) Yola and Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace (FJDP) Benue with the overall goal of promoting collaborative multi-stakeholder engagement and advocacy processes to reduce human rights abuse by police forces in Benue and Adamawa States. The position requires an experienced conflict transformation, peacebuilding, human rights, security sector reform (SSR), or development expert conversant with project management cycles. The position holder must be organized and experienced in responding to real-time conflict, peace efforts, security and the overall aim of conflict transformation. The Project Manager should have prior experience in managing relations between Security Agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and Civilians particularly within the context of promoting rights of civilians against abuses by security forces. The Project Manager must have good diplomacy skills and be capable of negotiating with challenging stakeholders and also lead a diverse team. The position holder advises the Head of Programme Implementation and Country Director on the project needs, strategies, staffing issues, local context, and dynamics. This position will be based in our Benue office, with frequent travels to Adamawa State. She/he will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme Implementation (Middle Belt). The position holder will directly oversee the project implementation and have a team of a Coordinator, Officers and Assistants.

Job Responsibilities

Representation and coordination:

Under the guidance of the Head of Programme Implementation (Middle Belt) represents Search in the project implementation initiatives;

Provides orientation of Search at the local level and supervises staff comprising Project and Media Officers under the project;

Provides strong coordination support to NGOs, partners, security actors, and national authorities through the establishment of wider consultation and collaborative processes to achieve the project goal.

Responsible for the coordination of all project activities.

Be Search’s media contact for the project when delegated by the Country Director / Head of Programme Implementation (Middle Belt);

Represent Search with donors in the absence and instance of the Head of Programme Implementation.

Program strategy, development, and planning:

Support in implementing Search’s strategic directions in the region;

Collaborate with relevant staff in other Search offices for quality program development and planning; 

Support in coordinating new business development, including coordinating the development of concept notes and proposals; and

Advises Country Management on program needs

Program oversight, quality assurance, and reporting:

Ensures proper implementation of the project based on continuous monitoring and analysis of the core objectives of the projects as outlined above;

Leads the project and facilitates the attainment of project expected results in the implementation states, in close collaboration with the Head of Programme Implementation;

Ensures effective application of results-based management methodologies.

Develop and monitor project work-plans, effectiveness and achievement of results;

Monitors budgets versus actuals and cash-flow for the project;

Steer the project’s activities to meaningfully address needs in an ever-changing context;

Build coalitions and networks with local partners for the project's effectiveness.

Human Resources Management and Organizational Development

Provide leadership support to the project staff and promote best practices in human resources management.

Ensure compliance with Nigerian law and SFCG procedures on the project; 

Provide leadership support for the adequate implementation of the performance management system, including performance objectives, planning, review, appraisal and staff development; and

Provide Coaching and Counseling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity

Leadership

Contribute to the discussions around overall strategy and direction of the country program and the organization;

Ensure that the project is maintaining a coordinated and agreed information exchange both internally and in its dealing with external parties;

Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the overall finance and guidance manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements;