BBC Media Action’s communication projects are rooted in local people’s experiences and understanding. Our extensive research programme – called “world class” by the UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID) – provides insight into audiences’ lives to ensure that our projects reflect their needs and circumstances. We also use our data to monitor how effectively our programmes engage people and stimulate change; lessons learned are then built into future projects. To share our findings and learning as widely as possible, we publish policy and research reports and briefings to inform communication for development practitioners and policy-makers. Since we are not funded by the licence fee, none of this work would be possible without the backing of our generous donors – governments, foundations, corporations and individuals. In Nigeria, BBC Media Action run a number of multiplatform and capacity-strengthening projects including health radio shows tackling maternal and neonatal health, HIV and AIDS and pneumonia and diarrhoea. A long-running radio drama and magazine shows in both Hausa and Pidgin English address governance issues.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
- Location: Not specified
- Job Field: Project Management
Job purpose:
The BBC Media Action office in Nigeria is looking for a Project Manager to lead and manage one or more of our projects, making sure the agreed targets and objectives are met while ensuring the quality and alignment of project outputs to overall organisational objectives. The Project Manager will also ensure that all relevant departments are kept abreast of project commitments, timelines, strategies and changes to ensure adequate resource allocation and successful project implementation.
The Project Manager will also be responsible for overseeing financial management of the project and reporting on progress to the Senior Projects Manager. S/He will coordinate with key stakeholders and will ensure effective relationships and partnerships with a wide range of partners including broadcasters, NGOs, international development agencies, government coordinating bodies, and others.
The role reports to the Senior Projects Manager (SPM) Nigeria and will work closely with other implementing teams and the Senior Management Team.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Oversee the planning and implementation of all activities for the project(s) he/she is assigned to lead/manage in accordance with project budget and timelines.
- Manage project budgets (including budget forecasting) to ensure the full and successful delivery of project outputs in accordance with that budget and in line with Media Action’s financial procedures and the funder’s operating guidelines. Work closely with the SPM and the Finance department to identify and resolve any potential financial issues.
- Monitor project activities – working closely with relevant heads of department and other teams to deliver all project and donor commitments while aligning with BBC editorial standards and values and Media Action’s best practice.
- Negotiate and/or mediate conflicting views and priorities arising within the project or across departments/teams, to ensure solutions meet the needs of the project and BBC Media Action.
- Participate in the design and coordination of monitoring, evaluation and feedback/learning sessions, and work with relevant Heads of Department or teams to adjust project delivery based on learnings.
- Contribute to the articulation of a project’s theory of change and ensure that key research findings are fed into project design and delivery.
- Support the development of media content insofar as ensuring it links to the project ‘theory of change’ and intended development outcomes.
- Lead on reporting of project progress, both to donor, internally to BBC Media Action in Abuja and London, and externally to other stakeholders around the world.
- Support the development of relevant project management tools that aid the effective design and implementation of project activities, to include but not limited to theory of change, logframe/results framework and workplans.
- Contribute to the development of specific new business development activities; including proactively identifying and contributing new ideas, opportunities and partnerships which fit within the overall strategic direction of the organisation, contributing to the development and writing of new proposals, or working as part of a larger team responding to international and sub-regional funding opportunities.
- Support the development of knowledge management systems and processes that help to collect, organize, store and share BBC Media Action Nigeria’s information/knowledge assets in a manner that such can be readily available, accessible and effectively used for the benefit of the organization.
- Coordinate with other relevant Project Managers and Media Action departments to build synergy between projects, to deliver the highest quality work at best value for the donor.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with partners and organisations for the benefit of the project, in line with BBC Media Action values.
- Ensure that project activities comply with BBC Media Action and donor standards around safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The role will also lead or support to ensure that relevant safeguarding due diligence is conducted with any local partner organisations that may be working with vulnerable adults or children as part of the project and where any risks are identified, ensure that projects are designed to mitigate these risks.
- Support recruitment and induction of project staff as needed as well as support capacity building for other members of staff as required.
- Any other tasks assigned by the SPM or BBC Media Action to achieve project and organisational objectives.
Required skills, knowledge and experience:
- Experience managing complex activities with demonstrated capacity to manage the project/activities effectively.
- Experience managing activity budgets and reporting/providing updates against scheduled activities and/or spend.
- Proven ability to build consensus and inspire different teams or departments to work together to achieve goals.
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise time effectively within a range of often conflicting deadlines, juggling competing priorities to meet project needs and objectives.
- Ability to forge strong working relations quickly and gain the trust of colleagues and partners, for example in other international NGOs, in government, in media houses, and elsewhere.
- Demonstrable business development skills.
- Experience at developing and articulating theories of change and other relevant project management/implementation tools.
- Strong technical understanding of and experience of working in the media/communications and development sectors, including media development and communications for behaviour and social change.
- Adequate knowledge of the context/country of work, it’s development issues and needs to support the role.
- Experience mainstreaming disability inclusion into projects addressing diverse themes or managing projects solely focused on disability inclusion.
- Confident public speaker with experience of presentations to colleagues, donors and stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Safeguarding responsibilities:
- Understand and comply with the Safeguarding Policy and the staff Code of Conduct.
- Participate in relevant mandatory training on safeguarding and respect at work.
- Report any safeguarding concerns immediately, either to the Country Director, or using the Whistleblowing Policy.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified? Go to BBC Media Action on www.bbc.co.uk to apply
