Program Manager

Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is a Non-Profit and Non-governmental Organization in Nigeria which was registered as a corporate body with the Corporate Affairs Commission on the Eleventh (11th) day of July, 2014.ABOUT THE ROLE Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is seeking a qualified, experienced and results-oriented Programme Manager to provide effective leadership and oversight of assigned programmes and projects. The Programme Manager will be responsible for ensuring that LPF programmes are effectively planned, implemented, monitored and reported in line with approved programme objectives, donor requirements, organizational policies, humanitarian principles and relevant technical standards. The successful candidate will provide leadership to programme teams and work closely with Finance, Partnership and Grants, MEAL, Procurement, Logistics, HR, Administration and other relevant functions to ensure effective programme delivery. The role requires strong programme management, coordination, leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and stakeholders in a complex humanitarian and development environment. The Programme Manager will contribute to programme quality, accountability to affected populations, staff performance, donor compliance, risk management, learning and continuous improvement. This is an opportunity for a programme professional committed to quality programming, accountability, measurable results and meaningful impact for vulnerable and crisis-affected populations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Programme Leadership and Management Provide overall leadership and management of assigned programmes and projects. Ensure programmes are implemented in accordance with approved proposals, project documents, workplans, budgets and results frameworks. Translate programme strategies and objectives into practical implementation plans. Lead programme planning, implementation, review and close-out processes. Ensure programme activities are delivered within agreed scope, timelines, quality standards and available resources. Coordinate programme teams across relevant project locations and implementation areas. Ensure effective coordination between different programme components and technical teams. Promote a results-oriented and accountable programme culture. Identify implementation challenges and ensure timely corrective action. Programme Planning and Implementation Develop and regularly review detailed programme workplans, activity plans and implementation schedules. Coordinate the timely commencement and implementation of programme activities. Ensure programme teams understand project objectives, targets, indicators and deliverables. Monitor progress against approved workplans and agreed milestones. Ensure programme activities are implemented in accordance with approved technical approaches and standards. Identify implementation gaps, delays and emerging needs and develop practical solutions. Ensure programme activities are appropriately documented. Support effective programme start-up, implementation, transition and close-out. Programme Quality and Technical Oversight Promote high standards of programme quality across all assigned projects. Work with relevant technical leads and Programme Managers to ensure activities meet applicable technical standards. Ensure programme interventions are evidence-based, contextually appropriate and responsive to identified needs. Review programme implementation approaches and recommend improvements where required. Support technical teams to address programme quality gaps. Promote integration of cross-cutting issues including gender, protection, inclusion, safeguarding and accountability. Ensure lessons learned and good practices are incorporated into programme implementation. Participate in programme quality reviews, assessments and evaluations. Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Work closely with the MEAL team to monitor programme performance against agreed indicators and targets. Review programme data and performance information to identify trends, gaps and areas requiring corrective action. Ensure programme teams maintain accurate and timely programme records. Support data quality assessments and verification exercises. Use monitoring findings and programme evidence to improve implementation. Participate in programme reviews, evaluations, assessments and learning activities. Ensure recommendations from monitoring and evaluation exercises are appropriately followed up. Promote a culture of learning, reflection and continuous programme improvement. Programme Budget and Financial Management Work closely with Finance to monitor programme budgets and expenditure. Review programme expenditure against approved budgets and implementation plans. Monitor budget utilization, burn rates, forecasts and potential variances. Identify financial risks that may affect programme delivery and raise them promptly. Work with Programme and Finance teams to develop appropriate corrective actions for budget variances. Ensure programme teams understand and comply with approved financial controls. Support programme budget preparation and revisions as required. Contribute to financial forecasting and resource planning for assigned programmes. Ensure programme activities are implemented with due consideration for value for money. Donor Compliance and Grant Management Ensure programme implementation remains consistent with approved donor agreements and project requirements. Work closely with the Partnership and Grants Manager to monitor grant deliverables, reporting requirements and compliance obligations. Ensure programme teams understand relevant donor conditions, targets and reporting requirements. Provide accurate programme information and supporting documentation for donor reports. Support donor monitoring visits, reviews, audits and programme assessments. Ensure programme records are maintained to support donor verification and accountability. Identify potential compliance risks and escalate them appropriately. Support grant amendments, extensions, no-cost extensions and project close-out processes where required. Programme Reporting and Documentation Ensure timely preparation and submission of high-quality programme reports. Coordinate contributions from technical and programme teams for donor and management reporting. Review programme reports for accuracy, consistency and completeness before submission through the appropriate approval process. Ensure programme achievements, challenges, lessons learned and corrective actions are appropriately documented. Maintain organized programme documentation and evidence of implementation. Ensure reporting is supported by reliable programme data and source documentation. Contribute to internal management reports, programme updates and organizational performance reviews. Team Leadership and Staff Management Provide effective leadership and direction to assigned programme personnel. Clarify roles, responsibilities, deliverables and performance expectations for programme staff. Support recruitment, onboarding and deployment of programme personnel in coordination with HR. Conduct or support regular performance reviews and performance management processes. Identify staff capacity gaps and support appropriate training and mentoring. Promote teamwork, collaboration, professional conduct and accountability. Address routine performance and operational issues in accordance with LPF procedures. Recognize good performance and promote a positive and respectful working environment. Ensure programme staff comply with organizational policies, safeguarding requirements and applicable programme standards. Coordination with Support Functions Maintain effective coordination with Finance, Procurement, Logistics, Administration, HR, MEAL and Partnership and Grants teams. Ensure programme requirements are communicated sufficiently in advance to relevant support functions. Coordinate programme procurement and logistics requirements to support timely implementation. Work with Finance to ensure programme expenditures are properly planned, documented and monitored. Work with HR on staffing, performance and capacity-building requirements. Work with MEAL to ensure appropriate monitoring, data collection and reporting systems are in place. Coordinate with Grants and Partnership teams on donor requirements and reporting. Promote constructive collaboration between programme and support teams. Stakeholder Engagement and Representation Develop and maintain constructive relationships with relevant government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, partners, community structures and other stakeholders. Represent LPF at programme coordination meetings, technical forums, sector meetings and other relevant platforms as delegated. Maintain professional communication with programme partners and stakeholders. Support coordination with government ministries, departments and agencies relevant to programme implementation. Participate in joint assessments, field visits, coordination meetings and technical discussions. Promote LPF\'s programme interests while maintaining professional and respectful relationships with stakeholders. Ensure external commitments are made only within delegated authority. Community Engagement and Accountability Ensure affected populations are appropriately involved in programme planning and implementation. Promote meaningful community participation throughout the programme cycle. Ensure appropriate feedback, complaints and response mechanisms are established and functional. Monitor whether programme activities are responsive to community needs and priorities. Ensure programme teams respond appropriately to feedback and concerns raised by affected populations. Promote dignity, inclusion, participation and non-discrimination in programme implementation. Ensure community feedback and learning inform programme improvements. Safeguarding, Protection and PSEA Ensure safeguarding principles are integrated into programme planning and implementation. Promote compliance with LPF safeguarding, PSEA, child protection and Code of Conduct requirements. Ensure programme activities are designed and implemented in a manner that minimizes risks of harm. Ensure staff understand their responsibilities regarding safeguarding and protection. Report safeguarding, SEA, abuse, exploitation or other serious concerns through established organizational mechanisms. Ensure programme activities promote safe, dignified and inclusive participation. Support appropriate safeguarding risk assessment and mitigation within programmes. 13. Risk Management and Programme Problem-Solving Identify operational, programme, financial, compliance and contextual risks affecting programme delivery. Maintain appropriate programme risk registers and mitigation actions where required. Work with relevant departments to address implementation risks. Escalate significant risks to senior management in a timely manner. Develop practical solutions to programme implementation challenges. Monitor changes in the operating environment that may affect programme delivery. Support contingency planning and programme adaptation where circumstances change. Ensure programme decisions are based on available evidence, organizational priorities and risk considerations. Assessments, Programme Design and Business Development Participate in needs assessments and programme design processes. Contribute to concept notes, proposals, budgets, logframes, theories of change and other programme development documents. Identify programme gaps and opportunities for improved service delivery. Provide programme information and evidence to support resource mobilization efforts. Contribute to organizational learning and development of new programme approaches. Support development of integrated and contextually appropriate interventions. Emergency and Humanitarian Response Support timely programme adaptation in response to emergencies and changing humanitarian needs. Coordinate rapid programme response activities where required. Ensure emergency programme activities remain aligned with humanitarian principles and organizational standards. Support rapid assessments and identification of priority needs. Coordinate with relevant internal and external stakeholders during emergency response. Ensure appropriate documentation and reporting of emergency programme activities. Support programme continuity and contingency planning during periods of operational disruption. Programme Coordination and Integration Promote coordination between different LPF programme sectors and projects. Identify opportunities for integrated programming and complementary interventions. Support joint planning and implementation across programme teams. Minimize duplication and identify opportunities for shared resources and approaches. Ensure programme teams share relevant information and lessons learned. Promote coherent programming across locations and projects. Capacity Building and Learning Identify programme staff capacity-development needs. Support development and delivery of relevant training and mentoring. Promote peer learning and sharing of good practices. Ensure lessons learned are documented and incorporated into future programming. Support technical and management coaching for programme personnel. Encourage continuous professional development and learning within programme teams. Audit, Review and Compliance Support Support internal and external programme reviews, audits and donor monitoring exercises. Ensure programme documentation is complete, accurate and accessible to authorized reviewers. Coordinate programme responses to findings and recommendations. Monitor implementation of agreed corrective actions. Ensure programme teams maintain adequate evidence to demonstrate achievement and compliance. Promote a culture of transparency, accountability and continuous improvement. Programme Transition and Close-Out Lead or support programme close-out activities in accordance with approved plans. Ensure programme deliverables, reports and documentation are completed before closure. Coordinate programme handover and transition arrangements. Ensure outstanding programme issues, risks and commitments are appropriately addressed. Support responsible management of programme assets, supplies and resources in coordination with relevant departments. Document lessons learned and recommendations for future programming. Other Programme Responsibilities Participate in management meetings and organizational planning processes as required. Provide programme updates and professional advice to senior management. Undertake field visits and monitoring missions as required. Maintain professional knowledge of relevant humanitarian and development practices. Perform other reasonable programme-related duties assigned by the Country Director or designated supervisor. KEY DELIVERABLES The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to: Effective implementation of assigned programmes and projects. Achievement of approved programme targets, outputs and outcomes. Timely and quality programme planning and reporting. Effective programme budget monitoring and resource utilization. Strong donor compliance and programme documentation. Accurate programme data and effective use of monitoring findings. High standards of programme quality and accountability. Effective leadership and performance of programme teams. Strong coordination with programme and support functions. Effective stakeholder and partner engagement. Meaningful community participation and accountability to affected populations. Effective integration of safeguarding, protection, gender and inclusion principles. Timely identification and management of programme risks. Effective response to changing humanitarian and operational needs. Proper programme transition, handover and close-out. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Minimum Qualifications Bachelor\'s degree in International Development, Development Studies, Project Management, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Health, Management or a related field. A Master\'s degree in a relevant field is an added advantage. Professional certification or training in project/programme management is desirable. Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme or project management. Demonstrated experience managing programmes or projects from planning through implementation, monitoring, reporting and close-out. Demonstrated experience supervising and managing programme teams. Experience managing multiple projects, activities or programme components simultaneously. Experience working with donor-funded programmes and understanding donor compliance requirements. Experience working with programme budgets, expenditure monitoring and financial forecasting. Experience working with MEAL teams and programme performance data. Strong report writing, documentation and communication skills. Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving abilities. Desirable Experience Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies or other humanitarian/development organizations. Experience managing programmes funded by institutional donors such as UNICEF, ECHO, NHF, FCDO, USAID or similar donors. Experience working in conflict-affected, hard-to-reach or resource-constrained environments. Experience managing multi-sector or integrated programmes. Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and local partners. Experience in programme design, proposal development and resource mobilization. Experience in emergency response and humanitarian programme management. Experience with programme evaluations, assessments and learning processes. CORE COMPETENCIES The successful candidate should demonstrate: Strong programme and project management skills Strategic thinking and effective planning Strong leadership and people-management skills Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Results orientation and accountability Strong report writing and documentation skills Budget monitoring and financial management awareness Understanding of donor compliance and programme standards Strong MEAL and evidence-based decision-making skills Stakeholder engagement and coordination skills Strong communication and interpersonal skills Negotiation and influencing skills Ability to work effectively across programme and support functions Commitment to accountability to affected populations Commitment to safeguarding, PSEA, protection, gender and inclusion Ability to work under pressure and in challenging environments Integrity, professionalism and sound judgment Adaptability and resilience SAFEGUARDING, CODE OF CONDUCT AND ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES The post holder is required to: Adhere to LPF\'s policies, procedures, Code of Conduct and organizational values. Demonstrate commitment to safeguarding, gender equality, diversity, inclusion and respect for human rights. Maintain zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), harassment, fraud, corruption and abuse of position. Promote safe, dignified and inclusive programming for affected populations. Ensure programme activities do not expose communities, staff or partners to avoidable harm. Report safeguarding, SEA, fraud or other serious misconduct concerns through established organizational reporting mechanisms. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive programme, staff, partner and beneficiary information. Avoid conflicts of interest and declare any actual or potential conflicts through established procedures. Comply with applicable security, health and safety requirements. Use organizational resources responsibly and protect organizational property. Demonstrate professional conduct and respect for colleagues, partners and affected communities.