Protection Project Manager 13 views0 applications

Context

Since 2015, NRC Nigeria has been working to help displacement-affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six core competencies: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Camp Management, and Protection. NRC provides immediate assistance during the onset of emergencies through the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). In 2021, NRC reached out to over 269,000 people with assistance.

The crisis in Nigeria is marked by brutal violence against civilians, causing acute humanitarian needs and displacement. In the northeast, the 13-year conflict has shattered lives, infrastructure, basic services, and social fabric.

Two million people are internally displaced across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. Approximately half of these live within local communities, increasing pressure on scarce resources. Access to food is limited, particularly in Borno state, where most families are already facing crisis levels of food insecurity. Civilians, including aid workers, continue to be the target of deadly attacks by non-state armed groups, and transport corridors are persistently insecure.

In the northwest and north-central regions, violence and displacement are rooted in disputes over land and resources, which have been worsened by climate change. Criminality is on the rise.

Livelihood opportunities are scarce, and children face an uncertain future, unable to access quality education. Many families have lost identity papers while fleeing or never obtained them, hindering their access to essential services.

What you will do:

Project Development

• Contribute to the situation analysis, identify needs, and actively take part in developing project strategies

• Led the design and conduct of quality technical and needs assessments, working with the Protection from Violence Specialist and M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) Focal Point, and submitting timely quality reports

• Contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals along with Area level strategy

• Proactively work with M&E to lead and/or support the documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and case studies for projects to inform the improved design of new projects and highlight NRC work to key stakeholder.

• Proactively engage with potential donors at the field level through effective coordination and collaboration, working with the Area Manager

Project Management

• Prepare and deliver detailed project implementation, procurement, and budget spending plans promptly, ensuring that off-targets are identified and mitigated promptly

• Ensure availability of quality partnership assessment, and partnership plan, and ensure that relevant MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) and other support documentation and resources are in place to work with local partners

• Provide guidance and technical support to staff on implementation modalities, plans, and strategies, including the development and rollout of remote management plans, partnership strategies and plans, advocacy plans, and risk analysis

• Ensure the integration of other Core Competencies in both design and implementation of actions

• Manage assigned human resources, incl. recruitment, planning, and management processes, and conduct staff performance and development management

• Conduct frequent field visits to project areas to ensure quality implementation through technical and managerial guidance, support, and monitoring

• Conduct monthly project progress reviews, including progress against objectives, indicators, activities, as well as budget vs. actual spending, and report to the Area Manager on the project progress

• Ensure quality and timely preparation of donor reports, project reports, and any other NRC internal reports as required

• Ensure compliance during project implementation with donors and NRC regulations, working closely with the Grants and Protection from Violence Specialist and ensuring adherence to available guidelines

• Work closely with the M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) team to support the continuous monitoring of project implementation, quality, the measuring of all indicators, and ensuring that NRC accountability mechanisms CFM (Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms) in place are reviewed, known to and utilized by the project participants

• Conduct contingency planning based on worst-case and most likely scenarios in terms of population movements; ensure relocations/returns are voluntary, dignified, and safe.

• Implement training on different topics, on Community Engagement and Coordination of SIP, in cooperation with relevant experts, for the field teams aiming to improve their capacity.

• Provide the Area Programme Manager and Protection from Violence (PfV) Specialist with required reports and input for the development of the Protection strategy and project proposals, including feedback on successes and challenges.

Capacity building

• Identify learning and training opportunities for project staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for less experienced staff

• Work with the Education Specialist to provide necessary technical training and develop appropriate technical guidelines and materials for NRC’s and partner’s staff

Representation, coordination, and Advocacy

• Develop and maintain collaborative and effective partnerships with NGOs (non-governmental organizations), CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) and government partners

• Ensure the effective participation of stakeholders in project implementation

• Ensure the development of advocacy messages within projects, ensuring linkages to the overall Nigeria country program, and to the advocacy strategy

• In collaboration with senior program staff, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels

• In collaboration with the Protection from Violence Specialist, feed in learning, experiences, and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives

• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders, including NGOs and UN agencies. Attend meetings as agreed with APM/AM.

• Ensure engagement of representation structures

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related to Protection (law) social work, social science, humanities, or other related degree.
• Minimum 3 years of experience from a senior-level project implementation position in a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Technical Protection from Violence expertise.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile.
• Knowledge of NGO operations and humanitarian sector dynamics in Borno State is an advantage
• Demonstrated background and knowledge of major humanitarian donors, particularly BHA (Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance), ECHO (European Civil Protection, Nigerian Humanitarina Fund – NHF, NMFA/SIDA and Humanitarian Aid Operations),
• Relevant experience in general protection.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing, and capacity-building a multicultural team
• Previous experience in partnerships with local governments and CBOs, providing capacity building, coaching, and collaborating on project design and implementation
• Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas under strenuous conditions
• Experience managing projects relating community-based protection, community services, or community capacity building in a humanitarian or recovery context.
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Experience with start-up or expansion of new programs
• Fluency in Hausa and one other spoken language in Borno Central and/or Borno North considered an added advantage.
• Protection decision-making fora.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility. At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

*** This position is only locally hired.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 22/1/2025

What we offer:

1. Contract of 12 months
2. Grade 8 in NRC scale
3. Location: Maiduguri and Yola (2 positions are currently available in these locations)
4. An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
5. A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected] with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity