NRC has been present in Nigeria since 2015 and has been working to help displacement-affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six Core Competencies (CCs): Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information-Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Camp Management and Camp Coordination (CCCM), and Protection from Violence. NRC provides immediate assistance during the onset of emergencies through the rapid response mechanism (RRM). 

With a workforce of 370 staff and presence in key locations such as Maiduguri (in Borno State), Yola (in Adamawa State) and Jos (in Plateau State), NRC is able to respond to the needs of those affected by the conflict across North-East, and North Central Nigeria.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee with proven experience in the international humanitarian sector.

If you are such people, the Norwegian Refugee Council in Nigeria is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Shelter Project Manager to join our Maiduguri Area office Team.

To be successful in this role you will be good in project management and coordination, strategic and analytical thinker, capable of establishing strong relationships with stakeholders and solution-driven at all levels while supporting new initiatives and operations across the area.

If you are highly organized individually, comfortable with working in a remote environment, and have previous experience in project implementation, coordination and shelter functions, we would love to hear from you!

What’s in it for you? 

Join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility:

At NRC we think creatively. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Learn on the job: NRC’s collaborative working style favors the exchange of good practice and lessons learned. At NRC, employees learn on the job and are encouraged to look for opportunities to develop new competencies. NRC managers prioritize the quality work and the competency development of their staff.

Additional Information: 

Duty Station: Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Duration of contract: 6 months (renewable).

Grade 8 in NRC’s grading structure.

Reporting line: Area Manager Nigeria Maiduguri

An approved health certificate will be requested before the contract starts/commencement.

This position is open to National candidates only and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline.

Kindly see Job Description for more details.

The Shelter Project Manager (SPM) is responsible for the direct implementation of the Shelter CC project and will provide regular technical support and monitoring visits to all program areas to ensure that interventions consider international best practices and are appropriately meeting the needs of the participants in target communities. S/he will represent NRC at coordination forums, as delegated by the Area Manager.

This position report to the North Area Manager and is a key member of the Area Management Group.

Generic Responsibilities

• Manage the area office shelter project team
• Ensure compliance with NRC policies, guidance, and procedures
• Contribute to the development of country, area and project strategies, initiate, and participate in the development of relevant shelter projects
• Coordinate and manage project implementation, including activities, budget, spending plans, work plans, reports, and project documentation, in accordance with proposals, strategies, and donor requirements
• Implement technical direction and ensure high technical quality of projects
• Provide regular progress reports to the Area Manager and Shelter Specialist
• Ensure that projects target program participants who are most in need of protection; explore and assess new and better ways to assist
• Develop and manage the project budget (in cooperation with the Shelter CC Specialist) and coordinate across CCs
• Ensure recruitment and capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders
• Promote the rights of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and returnees in line with the advocacy strategy

Specific responsibilities 

Program Development:

• Contribute to the situation analysis, identify needs, and actively take part in developing project strategies
• Lead the design and conduct quality technical and needs assessments, working with the Shelter Specialist and M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) Focal Point, and submit timely quality reports
• Contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals
• Proactively work with M&E to lead and/or support the documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and case studies for projects to inform the improved design of new projects and highlight NRC work to key stakeholders
• Proactively engage with potential donors at the field level through effective coordination and collaboration, working with the Area Manager

Project Management:

• Prepare and deliver detailed project implementation, procurement and budget spending plans in a timely manner, ensuring that off-targets are identified and mitigated promptly
• Ensure availability of quality partnership assessment, partnership plan, and ensure that relevant MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) and other support documentation and resources are in place to work with local partners
• Provide guidance and technical support to staff on implementation modalities, plans, and strategies, including the development and rollout of remote management plans, partnership strategy and plans, advocacy plan, and risk analysis
• Ensure the integration of other Core Competencies in both design and implementation of actions
•  Manage assigned human resources, incl. recruitment, f planning and management processes, and conduct staff performance and development management
• Conduct frequent field visits to project areas to ensure quality implementation through technical and managerial guidance, support, and monitoring
• Conduct monthly project progress reviews, including progress against objectives, indicators, activities, as well as budget vs. actual spending, and report to the Area Manager on the project progress
• Ensure project budget management incl. the monitoring of projects, take corrective measures and ensure the effective use of resources
• Ensure quality and timely preparation of donor reports, project reports, and any other NRC internal reports as required
• Ensure compliance during project implementation with donors and NRC regulations, working closely with the Grants and Shelter Specialist and ensure adherence to available guidelines
• Work closely with the M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) team to support the continuous monitoring of project implementation, quality, the measuring of all indicators, and ensuring that NRC accountability mechanisms CFM (Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms) in place are reviewed, known to and utilized by the project participants

Capacity Building:

• Identify learning and training opportunities for project staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for less experienced staff
• Work with the Shelter Specialist to provide necessary technical training and develop appropriate technical guidelines and materials for NRC’s and partner’s staff

Representation, Coordination, and Advocacy:

• Develop and maintain collaborative and effective partnerships with NGOs (non-governmental organizations), CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) and government partners
• Ensure the effective participation of stakeholders in project implementation
• Ensure the development of advocacy messages within projects, ensuring linkages to the overall Nigeria country program, and to the advocacy strategy
• In collaboration with senior program staff, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels
• In collaboration with the Shelter Specialist, feed in learning, experiences, and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives.

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in civil or architectural engineering. Degrees in social work, social science, humanities, or other related degree
• Minimum of three years of professional experience leading, managing, and implementing emergency response programs in shelter programming in a humanitarian and/or recovery context
• Demonstrated experience in grant management, budgeting, and proposal writing
• Strong budgeting and budget monitoring skills, including proficiency with MS Excel
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently
• Strong ability to work with diverse groups/individuals, ranging from local partners, local authorities, humanitarian community and to the private sector
• Experience in supporting the Logistics and Procurement department in the procurement of non-food, shelter and hygiene items and diverse types of constructions and rehabilitation activities
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills are required
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, as well as excellent report writing skills

Context/specific skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Knowledge of NGOs operations and humanitarian sector dynamics in Borno State is an advantage
• Demonstrated background and knowledge of major humanitarian donors, particularly BHA (Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance), UNICEF (United Nations Children Fund), ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations), and UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees)
• Previous experience in emergency preparedness and response
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing, and capacity building a multicultural team
• Previous experience in partnerships with local governments and CBOs, providing capacity building, coaching, and collaborating on project design and implementation
• Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas under strenuous conditions
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Experience with start-up or expansion of new programmes

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Geneva leads NRC’s representation with the IASC and UN agencies, and coordinates donor engagement with the UN and Swiss donors. NRC strives to assist and protect vulnerable and displaced people during crises, especially in situations of conflict. Established in 1946, NRC is an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, non-governmental organisation working in around 31 countries with approximately 14’000 staff. NRC employs a rights based approach, challenging those with responsibility to uphold the rights of displaced people set out within national and International Laws. NRC endeavors to secure the acceptance of local stakeholders for activities and is committed to the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality.

NRC seeks to engage with all relevant actors in order to promote the full respect for the rights of displaced and vulnerable people; secure and maintain access for humanitarian operations and promote the achievement of durable solutions. NRC Geneva, with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC), are NRC’s primary presence in Geneva.