Program Manager at Sightsavers Nigeria

Sightsavers is an international organisation that changes lives for the long term. We work in more than 30 countries to eliminate avoidable blindness and support people with visual impairments to live independently.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Manager

Req ID: 1501
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Position Type: Fixed Term
Position Schedule: Full-Time

About the Role

• The SARMAAN Programme Manager will lead the strategic and programmatic management of the SARMAAN project, ensuring successful implementation in line with organisational and donor standards.
• This role involves adherence to internal systems and processes, strategic programme development, stakeholder coordination, and State partner management for greater programme coherence.
• Additionally, the Programme Manager will collaborate with the Sightsavers NTD Directorate and Programme Delivery Unit.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning processes to align with organisational and donor strategies
• Manage the implementation of the project to achieve timely and quality delivery
• Support the team in using relevant quality assurance tools
• Monitor project progress, detect, address, or escalate any issues or obstacles promptly
• Identify emerging risks, lead risk analysis, and develop mitigation strategies with support from the CD and other parts of the organisation
• Establish and maintain relationships with the partner organisation, the donor, other implementing partners, and key stakeholders
• Facilitate clear and timely communication, information sharing, and productive engagement with stakeholders
• Attend strategic meetings at the National and Consortium levels and follow up on relevant developments
• Supervise budgeting and expenditure to ensure value for money
• Verify compliance with grant contractual clauses, including financial requirements and reporting
• Guarantee accurate and timely submission of reports to the partner and stakeholders
• Promote collaborative practices and cross-learning with other implementing partners in the Consortium
• Coordinate finance and programme functions for effective operations, and take corrective actions as appropriate
• Ensure budget holders actively monitor and review budgets, addressing issues promptly
• Confirm partner expenditure aligns with approved forecasts

Jobholder Requirements
Essential:

• Medical doctor experience with public health expertise, particularly with the Polio platform
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and effectively function as a team member while respecting diversity
• Strong ability to nurture, mentor, and empower staff at every level
• Proven ability to make effective decisions across a broad range of issues, assess progress, analyse gaps, and implement necessary changes for maximum results
• Ability to identify programmatic issues requiring immediate attention, prioritise, and take timely action
• Result-oriented with a proven track record of delivering impact at scale
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
• Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and presentation skills
• Demonstrated learning agility, proactiveness, and openness to embrace new technologies at work
• Ability to manage large budgets
• Proficient in MS Office
• Strong analytical skills
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant fields related to Sightsavers' thematic areas (NTDs, eye health, disability, and social inclusion), or equivalent
• Extensive experience in an INGO/NGO environment with significant background in a senior management/leadership position and a proven track record of complex programme management at the country level
• Knowledge of project management, budget development and monitoring, and resource management

Desirable:

• Knowledge of advocacy, research, partnership development, and understanding of the Polio Platform and Nigerian Health System

Application Closing Date
13th April, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online