Governance Manager

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee has been in Nigeria since October 2012 and came in response to a widespread flood disaster. IRC’s Emergency Response Team, with local partner, Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication (CISCOPE), implemented projects to support food security, livelihoods, nutrition, and WASH in Kogi State. Beginning of January 2014, IRC shifted geographical location to the Northeast, in Adamawa state to provide humanitarian response to the conflict-affected populations. In the Northeast, IRC has operational offices: Yola and Mubi field offices in Adamawa State, Damaturu in Yobe State and Bama, Monguno, Gwoza and Maiduguri field offices in Borno State-with the latter office opened in October 2015. In both states, IRC is providing humanitarian support to internally displaced populations hosted in IDP camps, camp like settings, host communities and returnee populations. In 2023, the IRC began operations in Northwest Nigeria.

The IRC Nigeria country program is implementing multi-sectoral interventions in the sectors of: Health and Nutrition; Environmental Health; Child Protection; Education; Women’s Protection and Empowerment; Economic Recovery and Development, Protection Rule of Law and Governance. Most of these programs are driven in partnership with strategic local NGOs.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Governance sector of International Rescue Committee amplifies the voices of people whose lives have been impacted by conflict and crisis. We help them regain control of their future by championing their rights to influence the decisions that affect their cities, towns, and communities.

To achieve this, we Strengthen the ability and power of people affected by conflict and crisis to have a voice in how decisions are made in their communities. We also Support governments, civil society organizations, community representatives, and the IRC to respond to their voices and provide effective and inclusive services and Promote communications between leaders and the people they represent so that actions are meaningful and sustainable.

In line with the current IRC’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP) agenda which is to have governance programming mainstreamed across sectors; the Governance Manager will manage Governance projects and ensure power is integrated with other sectors’ programming and not stand alone in Borno state.

The Governance Manager will oversee the implementation of Governance projects in Borno State. In this capacity, the Governance Manager will be responsible for day-to-day supervision and oversight of Governance teams in Borno State and various Governance activities, budget management, administration, and implementation of the requirements of the programs.

The Governance Manager will work closely with other IRC Sectors and Partner agencies operating in Borno State.

This position will report to the Governance Coordinator.

Responsibilities Program Management & Development:

- Create and execute work plans, spending plans, procurement plans and related systems to ensure that project deliverables and deadlines are met, and targets achieved. - Supervise and coach the Governance Officers and Assistants to carry out day to day Governance project activities, including community engagement, stakeholder engagement, trainings and advocacy activities. - Participate in the development of proposals, budgets, and concept notes in coordination with the Governance Coordinator, DDP, Grants team, and HQ Technical Unit. - Contribute to the development of the Power Integration Strategy for the Nigeria Country Program. - Collaborate with the Monitoring and evaluation team to disseminate findings in research briefs, white papers, and reports. - Develop timely, high-quality, and result-based reports, annual work plans, project monitoring tracking matrices, target implementation plan and relevant project narratives and updates as required. - Sustain deep working collaborations with partners that are relevant in bringing about policy changes, i.e., Government, Legislators, International NGOs, and local NGOs, women, and youth associations in Nigeria. - Carryout monitoring visits to all intervention locations within Borno state to ensure program quality and compliance.

Staff Management:

- Recruit national staff in conjunction with the Human Resources Department. - Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC and the Governance Team. - Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the Governance Team through regular supervision and feedback on performance. - Ensure Performance Management System documentation for all supervisees is in place and followed up regularly.

Grants Management and Reporting:

- Manage and oversee grants; develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans for all projects. - Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings. - Prepare internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required. - Ensure effective implementation of M&E systems throughout the lifetime of Governance projects. - Manage the project budget; review monthly Budget vs. Actual, Weekly consolidated of reports and expenditure sheets and collaborate with the Supply Chain and Finance department to ensure accurate expenditures and reporting.

Representation & Coordination:

- Establish and maintain relationships with other NGOs, international organizations, government stakeholders and MDAs.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Governance Coordinator

Position directly supervises: Governance Officers and Assistants.

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Supply Chain and Finance, Regional Policy Advisors, HQ Technical Advisors

External: Service provider, Traditional and Community Leaders, Local Government Authorities, Government Ministries/Agencies

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in community development, public administration, law, international development, project management, social sciences or other related fields. - Minimum (4) years of experience in local governance, social accountability, public administration, institutional development, project management or related technical areas. - Ability to work under pressure and without daily supervision. - Strong knowledge and understanding of governance in service delivery, in particular, disaster preparedness and response, capacity and system strengthening approaches. - Solid experience in participatory, flexible, conflict and gender-sensitive programming and implementation. - Strong track record of working in partnership with governments and civil society at various levels. - Demonstrated ability to negotiate and partner with communities, civil societies and government representatives. - Demonstrated skill in staff management in a cross- cultural environment. - Demonstrated analytical skills and report writing experience required. - Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills - Fluency in written and spoken English is required, fluency in Hausa or Kanuri is a plus. - Proficiency in the use of MS applications mostly MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. And outlook. - Ability to Travel: 50% of time if applicable.

Standards of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality:

IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment:

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.