Job Title: Head of Programming II, Nigeria

Job Location: Abuja

Reports to:  Country Representative

Salary Grade: 12

About CRS Nigeria: 

CRS programs in Nigeria this year will have $111M in total programming value and, in 2023, reached over 55.3M direct participants, representing one of the largest Country Programs in the agency. CRS’ portfolio in Nigeria boasts a robust health sector representing over 60% of programming, a growing livelihoods sector and strong emergency and early recovery portfolio in northeast Nigeria. Health programming includes investments in health systems strengthening, disease control programs (malaria, polio and HIV/AIDS), and integrated child health and nutrition, while livelihoods work is focused on social cohesion, cash and market-based programming, strengthening value chains, and harnessing the private sector for improved livelihoods. Our work in the northeast comprises an integrated approach to emergencies and early recovery focusing on shelter, WASH, livelihoods, nutrition, social cohesion and infrastructure. The Nigeria Country Program is a leader in providing technical assistance to local government and non-governmental partners in Nigeria, in the use of technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of development and emergency programming (ICT4D) and in resilience programming.

Job Summary: 

As a member of the Nigeria Country Program (CP) Leadership Team (LT) and Senior management Team (SMT), the Head of Programming (HoP) will provide overall strategic direction, leadership, and management of the CP’s programming to ensure the establishment and successful implementation of large and complex programming serving the poor and vulnerable. Your leadership, management and knowledge will enable the CP to deliver high-quality programming and continuously work toward improving the impact of its programming. As part of the LT, you will support the Country Representative and Security Manager to proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Country Representative (CR) provide leadership and strategic direction for the design of Nigeria’s strategic frameworks and plans, including the development of resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of large and complex programming interventions in line with regional and agency strategic priorities. Represent and promote CRS.
• Lead high-quality project design with innovative approaches that incorporate project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements of large and complex projects. Contribute to establishment of new project management standards. Lead planning of activities across projects from different sectors to ensure integration and efficiency in implementation.
• Effectively manage and supervise senior programming talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring for direct reports. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessment for direct reports. Contribute to developing staffing plans for large and complex projects and to the recruitment process of senior project staff. Contribute to Global HoP orientation and training program.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management overseeing application of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning.
• Coordinate with regional and CP operations leads to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project resources.
• Lead the business development cycle of increasingly complex, strategic, and competitive growth opportunities from intelligence gathering and positioning to proposal development to learning and marketing to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards.
• Lead the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in project management standards and related MEAL, business development and operational activities. Identify training opportunities, develop training curriculums and deliver trainings.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or relevant field.
• Minimum of 10 years work experience in a program management position with progressive responsibilities for an international NGO, including at least three years with successful performance in a Head of Programming, Chief of Party or similar program leadership position.
• Strong experience in project grants management for large and complex projects, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc., for projects funded by multiple public donors.

 Required Languages 

• English – Native or Full professional proficiency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience in project management for large and complex projects, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, MEAL, reporting, for projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Substantial experience with successful business development activities capturing significant public and private donor funding, including serving as a proposal coordinator.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience with Church partners a plus.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.  Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
• Experience and abilities in capacity strengthening – developing curricula and facilitating trainings.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks.
• Commitment to safeguarding and gender sensitive programming and management.

Travel Required: Up to 30% travel to project sites across the country.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory: Seven direct reports including DHoP, CoP/PDs, Business Development, MEAL Coordinator and others.

Internal: Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality and Growth, Deputy Country Representative for Operations, Regional and HQ Technical Advisors, other programming staff including HoPs from other CPs, Head of Finance.

External: Church, US Government (USAID, CDC, etc.), Global Fund and other donors; Government of Nigeria (Federal & State Ministries, Departments and Agencies); consortium partners (current and potential); NGO network members, and civil society.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.