VSO Nigeria is Recruiting for 'Youth Programme Manager'

Deadline now 10 September 2013 - this position has been re-advertised! Send completed application to info.nigeria(at)vsoint.org

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in 34 developing countries. VSO’s high-impact approach involves bringing people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action, and change lives to make the world a fairer place.

VSO has been operating across Nigeria since 1958 and has accompanied the country through complex social change and growth. As part of its current country strategy 2012-15,

VSO Nigeria works with poor and marginalized young men and women in an integrated way and to shape our responses based on the needs and priorities they identify. We relate to youth as both ultimate beneficiaries, as well as our key facilitators of social change. We focus on children (boys and girls), adolescent girls and boys (10-19 years range) and young men and women (20- 35 years).

Summary of the Role

VSO Nigeria is currently looking for a dynamic, proactive and results oriented person to join the Nigeria Country Office team to provide strategic oversight of youth programmes in Nigeria.S/he will work with the Senior Management Team (SMT) and programme team to support partnership development, and provide oversight of the implementation of programme plans, overall budget management and Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) of the International Citizen Service (ICS) and other youth programmes.  The role will lead the ICS team in Nigeria for successful delivery including strong M& E systems. The role will oversee youth programme development and management, capacity building, development of strategic networks for youth programmes, duty of care responsibilities over the ICS team and volunteers, as well as fundraising. The incumbent will work closely with the Head of Programmes and the programme team to ensure the promotion of youth led programming. This is a fixed term contract initially for 2 years which can be renewed for further period based on mutual agreement.  The positionwill be based in Abuja, s/hewill report to the Head of Programs but will work very closely with the UK based youth programmes team.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic oversight of youth programs in Nigeria: Lead the integration of youth programming into VSO Nigeria country strategy and programme, including the development of enabling processes and systems to facilitate this.Identify and develop the scope of the existing youth programmes to ensure they are integrated into country strategy and maximise opportunities for impact. Oversee the implementation of VSO’s ICS programme in Nigeria and ensure that annual targets for delivery and quality standards are established and met.

ICS Programme Leadership and Management: Provide extensive capacity building support to ICS team (Programme Supervisors (PS), Volunteers) and partner organizations for the development of the in-country ICS programme. Lead ICS team and work with partners to contribute to the development and implementation of programme activities in accordance with annual plan and delivery targets, ensuring all programme quality baselines are met. In close coordination with the UK based Youth Programme development Advisor, the Youth Program Manager and other youth program team members, ensure that ICS quality baselines and minimum standards are met. Work collaboratively to develop, phase, authorise and account for, the operational budgets for each programme. Recruit and select Nigeria PSs.

Youth Programme Development Support: In line with the country strategy, take leadership in promoting youth led programming and ensuring youth participation in programme development.Work collaboratively with program team partner and volunteers in all the 4 geographic clusters to develop strategic interventions for holistic development of youth and work towards embedding ICS/ youth perspectivesin all our programs in Nigeria. Represent VSO externally across youth sector with other International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) and government functionaries at national and state level and contribute to development of robust partnerships that are rooted in the communities.

Safety, Security and Emergencies: With support of SMT members be responsible for duty of care and safety and security of ICS volunteers and staff and deal with any emergencies that might arise.Ensure integration of safety and security procedures and agreed baselines are met, including the completion of the risk management approval form prior to a programme commencing.Ensure programme risks are assessed and managed in accordance with VSO and ICS baselines and procedures

Fund raising: Proactively lead program development and support fund raising initiatives of country office team on youth programs to scale up youth programs in all the 4 geographic clusters.

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

Essential:

• Experience working in Nigeria/Africa in cross cultural settings, including the ability to identify and facilitate cultural learning amongst staff.
• Good understanding of development challenges in Nigeria with particular focus on youth and participation of youth in governance processes.
• Practical experience gained within an NGO context and of managing a youth programme.
• Experience initiating, developing and maintaining transparent, equitable partnerships with organisations in the UK and overseas.
• Experience of matrix managing staff and providing high-quality supervision and support, particularly to individuals working in difficult environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to negotiate, persuade and vary communication content and style to suit audiences to inform, motivate and inspire.
• Experience in budgeting and financial management, particularly in the context of project planning.
• Experience and skills in facilitating learning in a non-formal environment, ideally including facilitation experience with groups of young people aged 18 – 25.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including experience of project or programme management.

Desired:

Practical experience gained within a volunteering/NGO context and of managing a volunteer programme.

Experience of managing change in an international environment.

How to Apply
Interested applicants are requested to apply on or before August 1, 2013. Applications should include CV and cover letter stating how they fit the responsibilities and specifications listed above withthreenames and contactsof your nominated referees including your current employer/line manager to: VSO Email Here  

Qualified candidates from Nigerian diaspora who are interested to come back to work in Nigeria are encouraged to apply.

We respect all candidates but we can only respond to shortlisted candidates.

VSO is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and seeks to have a diverse workforce and therefore welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.