Project Background

Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Vibrant Communities” (B-SLiC) Program, is a 2 year Livelihoods Program, targeting 20,000 direct beneficiaries in 4,000 households. In Ekiti and Lagos States. The program aims to build capacity and empower women, men and youths in climate smart agricultural production, vocational skills acquisition and facilitate increased access to markets and financial inclusion. The direct beneficiaries would not only have improved household incomes which would enable them to better carter for their household members, but would become self-employed and employers of labour, thereby creating more jobs within the communities.

Summary of Role

The Program Manager, will be responsible for successfully managing the B-SLiC Program ensuring all deliverables are met in a sustainable and dignified manner, with quality assurance from the beginning of the program life cycle to its end. Under the direct line management of the Humanitarian Advisor, the B-SLiC Program Manager will identify programming opportunities and areas where the organization can demonstrate its value and relevance, builds relationships with donors and national counterparts creating a network of collaboration and highlighting the value the organization brings as well as manages field staff and budget.

S/he will also ensure that proper implementation planning and capacity strengthening are all put in placed towards strategizing to achieving project aims, result and performance expectations through adherence to high standard of programmatic and management quality

Responsibilities

• Planning, implementation, management, monitoring, reporting and close-out protocols for B-SLiC Program in line with Caritas Nigeria principles and donor requirements
• Manage and mentor project team and partners staff for effectiveness and efficiency
• Secure appropriate work tools and a conductive work environment of staff on the program.
• Provide Forward and Backward linkage support for the BSLiC Program.
• Direct, guide and provide technical support to staff and all partners on the B-SLiC Program
• Facilitate preparation of the annual work plan and budget
• Design various Innovative operating procedures, formats, templates etc. for extended and better implementation of the rural livelihood programmes.
• Coordinate regular advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders at State, LGA and Community levels
• Coordinate, track and monitor activities in all targeted locations
• Help identify, assess and strengthen Agriculture Livelihoods partnerships, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
•  Ensure that capacities of Caritas Agriculture and Livelihood officers are built through on-job training, technical guidance and coaching sessions while ensuring staff performance evaluation plans are developed
• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all Agriculture and Livelihoods activities throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with caritas Nigeria quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and best practices.
• 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 in the area of Climate Smart Agriculture and Livelihoods programming and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
•  Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in B-SLiC Program to enhance program quality and impact.
•  Oversee the strengthening of partnerships relevant to Agriculture and Livelihoods programming and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
•  Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Support the humanitarian department in organizing workshops, seminars and field visits.
• Prepare and support Implementation plans for targeted state and LGAs for smooth implementation of the Programmes.
• Ensure cost-effective and high level of program quality
• Provide documentation of case study, updated reports in timely Manner.
• Regular Reporting as per the set protocols from the humanitarian advisor
• Any other tasks assigned by the DHS

Desired Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• A minimum of master’s degree in Agriculture, Social Science or related field
• Minimum of 6 years in similar position with at least 4 years working on Agriculture and Livelihoods Programming in an NGO setting
• Experience in implementing financial inclusion, market linkages and resilience building programmes.
• Previous first phase emergency response experience is essential
• Previous experience of managing project teams require
• Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability
• Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation skills
• Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity
• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff
• Experience of representation and ability to represent Caritas Nigeria effectively in external forums.
• Experience in designing and writing successful grants proposals for donor funding
• Ability to write a clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Excellent communication skills with a high level of written and spoken English
• Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Willingness to reside Southwest Nigeria and travel around program locations and for official duties
• Commitment to Caritas Nigeria mission and core values.