Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 independent aid and development organisations networked together to fight poverty and injustice around the world. Working with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries, the mission of Oxfam is a just world without poverty. With a conviction that people are well capable of building a life devoid of poverty on their own once given the chance to do so, Oxfam works with partners on projects in developing countries, lobbies companies and governments to take into account the interests of the poorest people and campaigns to ensure men and women are involved in decisions on issues that affect their lives. In Nigeria, Oxfam’s focus areas are Economic Justice/Livelihoods, Humanitarian Programming, Gender Justice / Female Leadership and Good Governance, adopting a rights-based approach. The overarching goal is to enable people exercise their rights and manage their own lives.

Oxfam in Nigeria with funding support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is implementing a five year Livelihoods and Nutrition Empowerment (LINE) project in Bauchi State. The project is aimed at improving the livelihoods for 10.000 poor and vulnerable households through increased farm productivity, enhanced market access, better nutrition and a more enabling environment for business development in 6 LGAs in Bauchi state.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position for the LINE Project:

POSITION : Project Manager/Team Leader

Duration: 57 months (Fixed term)

Main Tasks
A.) Project Management and Implementation:

• Provide overall leadership of the project team, coordinate and manage the implementation of the LINE project, set up and run a core Programme Implementation Unit in collaboration with the team.
• Participate in and assess the engagement of project staff to ensure the right skills sets are deployed for the various roles of the project.
• Develop and approve work plans and ensure smooth implementation of the project by effectively and efficiently coordinating the Livelihoods, Market Based Agriculture and Nutrition components in line with the Project Implementation Plan (PIP).
• Work in close collaboration with other Oxfam projects to ensure quality planning and implementation is carried out within the framework of the project and is compatible with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Sustainable Economic Growth objectives in Nigeria and Oxfam Country Strategy.
• Closely collaborate with relevant government agencies to ensure improved support for farmers involved in the project areas through policy and budgetary advocacy and other interventions outlined in the project strategy.
• Effectively manage relations with Civil Society Partners, working in collaboration with Oxfam programme team on the implementation of the project to ensure delivery of envisaged results.
• Initiate and oversee the production of specific case studies on project learning to support and feed into the donor and Oxfam’s linking and learning goals for further communication within the wider organization and with key external stakeholders.
• Ensure that the programme is implemented in a consultative, participative and gender sensitive way.
• Working with the project team and partners, ensure appropriate reporting requirements to the donor are met in line with contractual agreements.
• Work with the Oxfam in Nigeria programme team in recruiting and managing consultants that will provide short-term assistance on project implementation.

B.) Financial Management:

• Ensure minimum standards in financial management and reporting are met to support accountability and transparency in project implementation.
• Review monthly status reports on grants and assist the LINE and Oxfam programme team to monitor budgets against expenditure, project progression and financial forecasts.
• Manage budgets for the project in line with donor policies and standards, as well as agreed delegated signing limits for project grants.
• Manage and monitor grant disbursement to partners involved in project implementation.
• Oversee the management of delegated imprest float for project-related working advances.

C.) Donor and Representational Roles:

• Assist the Oxfam in Nigeria programme team in maintaining and managing relationships with the donor through consistent monitoring to ensure compliance and adherence to contractual requirements.
• Ensure that effective liaison with other agencies permits effective and collaborative approach to the project.
• In all activities of the project, influence other actors by disseminating and using key standards.
• Represent Oxfam at the various coordination fora at local and national levels ensuring compatibility with overall commitments and policy/project priorities

D.) Staff management:

• Manage recruited project-related staff in line with Oxfam Human Resource policies and procedures within the framework of performance management and staff development strategies. Line manage designated staff under a workable and accountable management structure.
• Ensure that all project staff are aware of Oxfam’s performance management systems, that objectives are set and monitored
• Ensure that all staff of the project are aware of and abide with key internal and external protocols and principles (e.g. Code of Conduct, People in Aid, Oxfam’s draft sexual conduct policy)

E.) Project Communications:

• Maintain effective relationships and communication with project staff, partners, donor, Oxfam, relevant external stakeholders / institutions key to realizing project results.
• Communicate project learning in consultation with Oxfam and in line with donor rules as well as Oxfam’s linking and learning objectives as appropriate.

F.) Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Put in place systems and processes for effective monitoring of project outcomes and reporting based on the project Logic Model and the results framework established.
• Ensure that the baseline, mid-term and end-line surveys are conducted to derive credible data to guide Project Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning as planned.
• Work closely with the M&E Lead to ensure adequate tracking of indicators as agreed in the project plan and provide technical information for donor reporting in a timely manner.
• Lead the process of half yearly and annual project reviews and submit regular situation reports to the LINE team within Oxfam through the Programme Officer.
• Carry out regular monitoring visits to project partners and implementation sites and verify output(s) indicated in progress report submitted to Oxfam and donor.

Education and Relevant Experience

• Minimum of MSc degree in Agriculture related discipline, Project Management, Social Sciences, Economics or any other relevant field.
• The post holder should have at least 15 years practical experience in managing livelihoods and agricultural projects including ability to integrate private sector, rural financial management and nutrition components especially within an NGO setting in a coordinating capacity
• Experience and ability to work well in, manage and lead large project teams and steer them to achieve and deliver results.
• Knowledge of market-based agriculture especially the value chain approach, rural financial services and promotional nutrition interventions
• Strong skills in market based agricultural models and value chain approach from smallholder farmers’ perspective
• Ability to integrate nutrition interventions for disadvantaged women and children and knowledge and incorporation of Village Savings and Loans scheme.
• Understanding of national, international agricultural and development issues
• Experience in budgeting, budget monitoring and expenditure forecasting.
• Demonstrated experience of integrating Gender and Diversity issues in market based rural agric sector
• Demonstrable experience of working with and managing local Civil Society partners, donor funding management and reporting
• Proven analytical and planning skills and ability to think critically and strategically.
• Skilled in Diplomacy, International Development Cooperation, tact and negotiation.
• Demonstrable skills in inter-cultural and religious tolerance
• Training/counterpart development skills.
• Ability to travel at short notice, work under pressure and in difficult circumstances.
• Commitment to development principles and action.
• Good written English and spoken Hausa are essential. French will be an added advantage but not a must

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's and Motivational Letter in English to: vacancies-nigeria@oxfamnovib.nl 

Note: Applications sent to the enquiry e-mail will be disqualified