Conflict and disparities are an inherent part of human interactions, but resorting to violence is not the solution. Our mission is to collaborate with individuals and communities globally, fostering the emergence of collective resolutions to prevent devastating conflicts. Our multi-faceted approach operates across various layers of society, aiming to establish enduring peace through three primary channels: Dialogue+, Media+, and Community+.
- Job Title: Project Manager
- Job
Type: Full
Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
- Experience: 5 years
- Location: Abuja
Position Summary:
Search for Common Ground is actively seeking a dedicated, driven, and innovative Project Manager to collaborate closely with our program teams in the effective execution of our project's strategy. In this role, you will play a vital part in ensuring that our project aligns with genuine needs and aligns with our organization's overarching national, regional, and global strategies. Responsibilities for this position encompass various aspects, including formulating project logic and strategy, leading and guiding teams, project management, overseeing financial and operational aspects, managing administrative requirements, handling security considerations, and fostering essential connections with key stakeholders, including security actors.
The role necessitates a seasoned expert in conflict transformation, peace organizational building, and development, with proficiency in project management lifecycles and field implementation oversight. The incumbent must exhibit impeccable organization skills and possess a wealth of experience in analyzing culturally distinctive conflicts and contexts. They should be adept at steering multifarious project activities in the Adamawa and Benue regions, responding swiftly to real-time conflicts, peace initiatives, security concerns, and the overarching objective of conflict transformation. The Project Manager should also demonstrate strong diplomatic abilities, enabling them to effectively negotiate with challenging stakeholders while leading a diverse team. Additionally, the position holder will provide crucial guidance to the Country leadership on project requirements, strategies, staffing considerations, local nuances, and dynamics.
This role will be primarily based in our Abuja office, with frequent travel required to the Adamawa and Benue states. The Project Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Programme Implementation and will have direct oversight of project implementation, managing a team of officers and assistants.
Roles and Responsibilities
Main Area 1: Project Organization, Planning,
Reporting, and Budget Organization
The Project Manager plays a pivotal role in
overseeing the comprehensive execution of projects, fostering collaboration
with consortium partners, and ensuring seamless project implementation.
Responsibilities include:
·
Supervising
and monitoring project implementation.
·
Crafting
project activities, such as defining objectives and activity structures.
·
Taking
the lead in executing project activities and coordinating with trainers during
their design and delivery.
·
Reviewing
and finalizing various project documents like presentations, agendas, and donor
reports.
·
Scrutinizing
monthly and activity reports before distribution.
·
Overseeing
the General Ledger (GL) and aiding the country finance team (CFT) in generating
financial reports.
·
Ensuring
compliance with donor rules and regulations and conducting capacity-building
sessions for rule adherence.
·
Monitoring
the Budget versus Actual (BvA) and actual/planned project expenses, submitting
well-checked expenditure reports and supporting documents.
·
Regularly
updating the Project Management Tool (PMT) to maintain accurate work plans and
projections.
·
Engaging
with staff across departments for performance management, capacity building,
and identifying growth opportunities.
·
Collaborating
with the Head of Office to develop the project staffing plan and manage staff
accordingly.
·
Maintaining
open communication with consortium partners, engaging with local authorities as
required, facilitating approvals, and conducting regular partner meetings.
·
Coordinating
with various teams on program management, quality, and project design,
including Design, Monitoring & Evaluation (DM&E), Grants Management
System (GMS), and Head of Field Program Implementation.
·
Documenting
and incorporating lessons learned from donor reports into project strategies.
·
Ensuring
that reviews and reflection sessions lead to adaptive work plans.
·
Ensuring
the application of approved Search methodologies.
·
Collaborating
with the Global Affairs & Partnerships Program Development team as needed.
·
Providing
support in attending fundraising and networking meetings.
·
Offering
inputs for strategy development and planning within the designated technical
area of work.
·
Infusing
organizational values into all aspects of the work.
Main Area 2: External
Representation of Search
In tandem with the Head of Field Program
Implementation, this role holds the responsibility of collaborating with
institutional partners in the field and representing Search in project
locations, including engagements with donors and government officials.
Responsibilities include:
- Participation in various coordination mechanisms with other humanitarian organizations in response to project leader requests.
- Active involvement in relevant technical groups in Yola.
- Playing a role in enhancing Search's visibility and influence through external representation.
- These roles and responsibilities are integral to ensuring effective project management, compliance, and representation, all while upholding Search's core values.
Behavioral Competencies
- Collaborative Engagement: Demonstrating the capacity to honor and appreciate the perspectives and contributions of fellow team members. This includes displaying empathy, actively listening, providing support, seeking counsel, sharing expertise, fostering team cohesion, and adapting to the dynamics of the group.
- Adaptability: Exhibiting the capability to adjust to evolving circumstances and shifting priorities, embracing ambiguity, and tailoring one's approach to accommodate diverse individuals and situations.
- Drive for Excellence and Efficiency: Proficiency in setting high-quality standards, continuously monitoring and upholding work quality, and establishing goals aimed at driving ongoing enhancements in performance.
- Relationship Management: Proficiently managing interpersonal interactions, delivering exceptional service, and fortifying both internal and external networks to support the organization's objectives.
- Leadership and Strategic Navigation: Displaying adeptness in managing and contributing to organizational initiatives and processes, all the while advancing change and pursuing continuous improvement.
- Effective Communication: Skillfully exchanging information with others, effectively conveying crucial data, adeptly gathering insights, and fostering clear communication channels within the organization.
- Global and Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrating an ability to value and consider the diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds of all parties involved, while effectively collaborating in cross-cultural contexts.
- Ethical Conduct: Integrating the organization's vision, mission, core values, and principles of integrity and accountability into every facet of business practices.
- Critical Analysis (for managers and above): Proficiency in interpreting information to make informed business decisions and offer recommendations founded on rigorous analysis, industry best practices, and a comprehensive understanding of desired outcomes.
- Business Acumen: Mastering the capacity to comprehend and apply information that contributes to the realization of the organization's strategic goals and objectives.
- Talent Development (for people managers): The ability to provide comprehensive support for enhancing individual performance and fostering professional growth within the team.
Education:
A Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field is a mandatory requirement, while possessing a Master's Degree in Conflict Resolution, International Relations, or a related discipline is considered an advantageous asset.
Required Experience:
Applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience in the domains of peacebuilding, gender mainstreaming, and work associated with the principles of "Do No Harm."
Additionally, candidates should possess a solid
track record of at least five (5) years in effectively leading small teams and
demonstrating proficiency in project management. This experience should be
within the realms of conflict resolution, conflict transformation, development,
or related areas.
Value-Added Language Proficiency:
- Language Proficiency: (Native/Fluent/Basic)
- English (Fluent)
- Hausa (Considerable Advantage)
- Fulfulde (Significant Advantage)
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Application Submission Guidelines
- Compile Your Documents: Please combine your current resume and cover letter into a single document. Our system allows for the upload of only two documents per application.
- Inclusive Application: Ensure that your application contains both your resume and cover letter to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Submission Deadline: Please note that applications submitted after September 18, 2023, may not be considered. We encourage you to submit your application well in advance of this date.