Deputy Project Manager at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Project Manager

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Program / Department Summary

• For years, the Northeast of Nigeria has been plagued by insurgency and a dire humanitarian crisis.
• The intense focus on humanitarian and counter-violence activities, coupled with increasingly complex conflict dynamics in the region, has exposed gaps in the international community’s response to new and emerging sources of violence.
• Tensions between IDPs and host communities, resistance of communities to accept former fighters and their victims, fear of IDPs to return home and face tensions with those who stayed behind – these are just several evolving sources of conflict.
• If these issues are not addressed in a timely manner through locally- owned solutions, they have the potential to intensify and worsen the on-going crisis in the NE.
• The North East Conflict Management and Stabilisation Initiative is an expansion from a pilot phase implemented by a consortium from August 2016 to March 2017.
• The project will result in increased peace within and between communities and increased confidence in government and security institutions to address the root causes of conflict and violent extremism in Borno State. 

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Lead the development of the overall vision and strategic plan for the project
• Recognize and adapt policies that are favourable and sustainable

Project Management:

• Support the project management in ensuring that the overall goal and objectives of the project are achieved.
• Facilitate effective implementation of the project activities at community level by providing hands-on support to the Senior Project Officers (SPO), the M&E team and the sub grantee staff.
• Work in close collaboration with the sector project managers in the planning and monitoring of field activities.
• Coordinate centralised meetings, trainings and events organised by the project; ensure detailed reports/ minutes are captured, effectively follow-up on invitations, provide timely updates on progress made. Compile a project chart on all schedules 
• Develop and ensure prior submission of your weekly, monthly work plan for review by the project management
• Work in collaboration with the sub grantees to provide technical support to the field staff and build their capacities in areas relevant to the project.
• Represent the project on delegated forums and submit a written report within a day of concluding the assignment.
• Draft field progress reports: weekly, monthly, quarterly, Bi-annual and annual reports. In accordance with the standard DFID reporting format and in addition to any internally developed formats.
• Ensure that the SPOs and the PA submit timely reports: weekly, monthly, quarterly, Bi-annual and annual reports. In accordance with the standard DFID reporting format and in addition to any internally developed formats.
• Support other Mercy Corps interventions within the project area.
• Perform any other duties asked of you that are relevant to the attainment of the project goal.

Team Management:

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Implement performance planning and management systems, establish performance expectations with team members, and regularly provide constructive feedback on team members’ performance.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and /or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Proactively form relationships community members to complement UKAID funding.
• Represent NECSMI on governance issues at technical and strategic planning meetings, or as requested by the Director of Gender Programs. 

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies
• Work closely with Mercy Corps Nigeria country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
• Accountability to Beneficiaries:
• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
• to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s Degree or its equivalent in International Relations, Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, International Development or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive work experience including at least 2 years in a senior management or technical advisory role on conflict and or developmental programs
• Strong understanding of UKAID compliance issues.
• Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues in high security environment.  Experience managing a multi-organizational team (international and national partners) is a plus.
• Experience working in Northern Nigeria strongly preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Hausa/ Kanuri required, including report development, writing and editing.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Demonstrated experience working with country-level ministries and government officials, Ministry of Education experience preferred.

Success Factors

• Commitment to achieve results in a timely manner.
• Trustworthiness and integrity.
• Committed to humanitarian and development values and principles.
• Strong people-management skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Gender equity and protection sensitive.
• Creative solutions to problems.
• S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.
• The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours .Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Application Closing Date
16th August 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected] All applications must include the position title in the subject line.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.