Throughout Africa, we work with citizens, political parties and public officials to: Generate substantive political dialogue through the development of issue-based policies; Promote strong practices of democratic governance; Enhance representation and inclusion of marginalized populations; and Promote meaningful participation by civil society and citizens in public life at all levels. In Africa our core programming focuses on: BUILDING MULTI-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEMS: Bolstering the internal capacity of political parties to reinforce internal democracy and strengthen constituent relations that result in the promotion of issue-based platforms. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: Facilitating citizen-government working groups, utilizing technology platforms to collect citizen input on policy issues and promoting best practices through peer-to-peer exchanges to enhance government accountability and responsiveness. EMPOWERING MARGINALIZED GROUPS: Promoting the meaningful participation of marginalized groups, such as women, youth, internally displaced persons and persons with disabilities, in the democratic process. LEGISLATIVE INSTITUTION BUILDING: Strengthening the capacity of legislators and their staff members to institutionalize democratic processes and procedures within legislatures and with citizens. STRENGTHENING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS: Opening a political space for different policy platforms to inform citizens’ choices in electoral process and enhancing the transparency of elections through independent election observation.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
- Location: Abuja
- Job Field: NGO/Non-Profit, Project Management
The Resident Program Director (RPD) is responsible for all programmatic, personnel, outreach and accounting matters in Nigeria. In consultation with IRI/Washington, the RPD designs and implements a long-range strategy for IRI programs in Nigeria, manages budgets and is responsible for compliance with local laws and regulations governing current funding.
Position Requirements:
- Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum 8 years of professional experience working in in democracy and governance, working directly with election authorities, political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs, and marginalized groups, including youth, women, and PWDs.
- Record of political party capacity strengthening programming, including improving party structure, organization, platform and policy development, candidate training, campaign financing, constituency outreach, and inter-party dialogue and conflict resolution.
- Background in conflict mitigation programs, including civilian led security initiatives focused on women and youth inclusion.
- Experience implementing activities, including stakeholder dialogue between civil society, political parties, and government actors, that encourage competitive, representative, inclusive, and transparent political and electoral processes.
- Record of technical assistance and support to civil society through sub-grant management.
- Demonstrated experience working with civil society, assessing and enhancing organizational and advocacy capacity, mentoring, and coaching.
- Progressive experience managing complex donor-funded assistance projects, and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
- Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials, media, civil society, private sector leaders, international donors, and other stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history, and culture of Nigeria specifically and of West Africa more broadly.
- Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.
- Financial management experience in developing and administering program budgets.
- Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with bilateral/multi-lateral agencies and other donor communities.
- Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor, or technical consultant; sensitivity to working in advisory role with local organizations and governments.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals.
- Willingness to travel within Nigeria throughout the year.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities
- Monitors, analyzes, and reports on political and related developments in Nigeria to provide regional and country analysis.
- Serves as the official senior IRI representative in Nigeria, developing credibility with and maintaining good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. and foreign diplomats and donor agencies, host-country government representatives, and program partners.
- Participates in the substantive design of programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas.
- Oversees the implementation of all program activities ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives.
- Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field, and DC staff.
- Oversees all operations related to the IRI field presence and ensures IRI complies with local laws regarding IRI’s legal status in the country and employment of field staff.
- Supervises field staff, including participating in the hiring, professional development, and evaluation process for these staff. Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback.
- Mentors field staff in program development, finance, work plan development and presentation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, business development, and knowledge management.
- Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
- Understands a grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements.
- Oversees the implementation of all program activities in Nigeria ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives, reporting weekly to DC.
- Monitors and approves field office budgets and expenses, in collaboration with DC program staff and the Regional Project Accountant, to ensure that expenditures remain within budget allocations.
- Monitors, analyzes, and reports to DC staff on political and economic developments, and media responses.
- Ensures adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans, including the monitoring of programs and evaluation/analysis of program results.
- Provides information and contributes to sections of quarterly, semi-annual, final, and other relevant reports for funders.
- Anticipates potential problems and trouble shoots project challenges and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
- Leads business development efforts, including identifying and seeking out potential new or additional sources of funding with real-time costs estimates for proposal budgets, and/or the development of new program ideas, coordinating with DC staff.
- Actively supports IRI’s communication strategy including IRI’s branding and outreach plans on projects assigned, including drafts and updates program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, etc.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Method of Application
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
