Program Manager II (Nigeria nationals only)

Roles and Key Responsibilities :
• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the STaR project throughout the project cycle to ensure start-up, implementation, and close-out align with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• As the budget holder for STaR / Nigeria, you are responsible for the overall financial management of the project. You will oversee the proper and effective use of the project’s financial resources and develop strong systems for budgeting, forecasting, tracking expenditures and liquidation, financial reporting, and coordinating with local partners. Additionally, you will manage financial reporting and oversight for STaR / Nigeria.
• Oversee engineering design reviews and direct submissions of tenders for all infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical engineering and practical construction management experience.
• Leverage skills and experience of non-infrastructure project component staff (economic revitalization, social cohesion, and local governance capacity-building) toward achieving STaR project goals.
• Ensure CRS’ active participation and / or leadership in local sectoral or multi-sectoral program coordination and security forums. Regularly share information and data with other agencies to inform collective analysis and planning.
• Collaborate with the Head of Office, Yola, to lead local representation for CRS to the Church and state / local government in Adamawa, ensuring Church and government authorities are regularly updated on CRS work in Adamawa and that CRS activities align with local Church and host government strategies / initiatives, where possible.
• Effectively supervise and manage talent for the STaR project. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications, and implement MEAL policy. Facilitate disseminating promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the Agency and STaR project knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• To enhance program quality and impact, oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations.
• Oversee the identification, assessment, and strengthening of partnerships relevant to the STaR project and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures align with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Coordinate with the Head of Office, Yola, and the Security Manager to ensure adequate security management for Adamawa State, as well as close coordination with the security management team, through timely / comprehensive application of security protocols and guidance, as well as regular analysis of the local security context.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience with participatory working methodologies and partnerships
• Excellent English language oral and written communication, training and facilitation skills. Fluency in Hausa and / or Kanuri language is an added advantage, as well as experience with the northern Nigerian context.
• Proven experience in analyzing gender and applying gender-responsive methods to project implementation.
• Understanding of faith-based organizations and capacity-building in local partnerships
• Experience in staff development and partner capacity
• Understanding of KFW (or German Government) grant provisions, policies, and guidelines, including reporting requirements, will be an added advantage.

Required Languages – English (Hausa and / or Kanuri would be an advantage)

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel 50% of the time to field locations in Adamawa or to other BAY states, as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Infrastructure Program Manager, Governance Officer, Social Cohesion Officer, Agriculture & Livelihoods Officer, MEAL Officer, and SILC Officer.

Key Working Relationships :

Internal – Deputy Country Representative / Operations, Head of Program, STaR / Infrastructure Specialist, GESI Advisor, Governance Advisor, Agriculture and Livelihoods Adviser, STaR / MEAL Manager, STaR Award Management Officer, Yola Security Officer, Yola Finance / Grants Officer, Yola Procurement Officer, Yola Admin / Logistics Assistant.

External – Church authorities, government ministries, departments, and agencies, local and international NGOs, coordination platforms and working groups, community leaders