Development Alternatives, Inc (DAI) an international development company. Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines.  We are recruiting to fill the position below:

POSITION : Edo State Investment Portfolio Manager - MADE II

  Overview

Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE) II is a 2 year phase II of an earlier 4.5 year programme that uses the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) approach to generate pro-poor and inclusive economic growth in the non-oil sectors of the nine Niger Delta States.

The programme’s stated objective is to raise the incomes of at least 155,000 poor people, 50 per cent of whom will be women, by up to 15 per cent.

MADE II will also, identify and address livelihood and economic factors contributing to human trafficking, forced labour and modern day slavery in the region, particularly in Edo State. MADE II will pilot interventions aimed at tackling the root causes of MDS, strengthen efforts to combat slavery and reduce vulnerability.

A target of increasing incomes or providing livelihood opportunities to 30,000 people (as part of the target to add 155,000 incomes increases) within at risk geographies and demographic groups.

MADE II will focus on sectors such as ICT, hospitality and the creative industries to support investment and growth in sectors that are seen as ‘aspirational’ and attractive to potential victims of trafficking, and thus reduce drivers for emigration

The programme’s base is Port Harcourt, with project offices in Abuja and Benin City.

Objectives  

The Edo State Investment Manager (ESIM) position will be integral to achieving MADE’s stated aims. Reporting to the Team Leader, She/he will provide technical leadership, guidance and oversight to the Edo State office team in the design, implementation, and management of economic and livelihood opportunities  in select sectors seen as ‘aspirational’ and attractive to potential victims of trafficking.

Since there are numerous additional activities to the success of this component of the programme such as the development of qualified co-facilitators, the ESIM will design, manage and report on those initiatives and special studies on a quarterly basis in close liaison with the TL.

Further, S/he will lead programme exploration in new initiatives for Edo State with focus on bright ideas, export oriented initiatives and investments.

In addition, the ESIM will lead initiatives in communications for behavioural change and leveraging opportunities with NGO. S/he will support programme officers mainstreaming market development interventions in Edo state and will champion external partner management and Government relations.

The ESIM will ensure effective coordination and collaboration with the Cross-cutting Managers in the Advocacy and Communications, Access to Finance, Gender, Grants, and Measurement and Results Management functional areas as well as with the Operations and Finance Manager.

S/he will work in close collaboration with the Team Leader and Senior Management Team to develop, realise, and communicate the programme’s strategic vision to internal and external stakeholders.

The ESIM will have line management responsibilities for the Edo State Team.  She/he will be responsible for ensuring that Managers and Officers are effectively and appropriately managed to deliver and report on programme results.

 Qualifications

• A Graduate Degree in Economics, Business, or a related field
• 10 years’ experience working on enterprise development and agri-business development programmes delivering demonstrated results, preferably in Africa
• 5 years’ experience designing and managing economic and incomes generating activities in developing countries, preferably in Africa
• Demonstrated experience leading complex teams
• Strong business management and financial management skills
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Previous experience with DFID funded projects would be advantageous
• Fluency English is required.

 Responsibilities 

Collaboration and Coordination with Cross-Cutting Functions:

• Proactively engage Cross-cutting area managers on intervention strategies and workplans
• Proactivity identify and communicate required areas of input and support in both intervention design and implementation. 
• Proactively identify and leverage synergies between cross-cutting functions and Edo State investment activities

Strategic Leadership:

• In collaboration with the Team Leader, inform programme’s strategic vision and direction, identifying areas for new intervention, pilot and scale-up or scale-down.
• Liaise with key programme stakeholders and participate in multi-stakeholder platforms on programme’s strategic approach, achievements, and lessons.
• Participate in Senior Management and Home-office Planning Meetings as required.

People Management:

• Oversee Edo State team management, ensuring quality programme delivery (technical and financial) through mentoring and providing constructive feedback on areas of strength as well as required improvement.
• Identify and proactively resolve conflict between technical team as well as cross-cutting function members. 
• Engage with the Team Leader and DAI Head Office on personnel issues.

Intervention Design and Implementation:

• Coordinate and oversee the management of implementation activities in line with intervention strategies and results chains as well as programme strategy and milestones, both technical and financial. 
• Guide intervention conceptualisation, design, adaptation, and scale-up in response to changing sector and political economy realities. 
• Ensure that proper documentation (agreed intervention justifications, deal notes, etc.) are properly reviewed and signed off on by the Team Leader and Technical Director.
• Guide annual and quarterly budget development in line with intervention strategies and results chains as well as overarching programme strategy and budget.
• Revise and adjust intervention result chains on at least an annual basis.
• Identify and engage with key project partners (i.e. private sector firms, co-facilitators etc.) to inform intervention design, elicit participation, and assess intervention progress as required.
• Identify and leverage synergies between intervention areas and activities. 

Reporting and Work Planning:

• In collaboration with the Team Leader and Cross-cutting managers lead annual and quarterly work-planning (technical and financial) and review sessions.
• Lead the drafting of technical sections of the quarterly reports to the designated timeframe in order to ensure the delivery of quality quarterly and annual reports.
• Reports should capture progress against WP indicators, updated results chains by the Edo State team members, identification of, and reflection on, political economy and behavioural changes.
• Be accountable for the ongoing budget expenditures by the Edo State Team

Key Performance Indicators:

• Undertake tasks provided in agreed deliverables as planned and agreed with the Deputy Team Leader or Team leader to time and budget;
• Take responsibility when requested for periodic activities and ensure these are completed in a regular and effective manner
• Helpful and positive attitude