Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) job recruitment in Nigeria, April 2014

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Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) works extensively with local and international partners to implement pilot projects to trial new ideas that aim to address the root underlying causes of conflict in the Niger Delta. SDN's local community networks and partnerships ensure that our advocacy is well grounded and solutions based. We target key stakeholders in communities, civil society, local, state and federal government, international community and the oil majors and create constructive channels of communication and understanding between them.

Job Position: Project Officers (2)
Location: Port Harcourt
SON requires Project Officers within the operation division of the Niger Delta Legacy Engagement funded by the State Department Conflict Stabilisation Operation. The Engagement which is awarded to SON is currently to cover funding period till 31st December 2014, with operational extension possible to 31st March 2015.
The Position reports to the Assistant Programme Manager (Operations) directly, will deliver Quality Assurance within the team headed overall by Programme Manager with overall responsibility for performance. Position will contribute towards the engagement goal that the people of the Niger Delta emerges from the 2015 election period without destabilizing violence and with increased confidence in the power of non-violent problem solving among the citizens, government and other key actors
Overall Engagement Objective- includes

• Reduce the likelihood of Conflict
• Improve the Social Contact in 3 States of the Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta)
• Produce a Multimedia Campaign supported by dialogue and civic advocacy
• Develop capacity and effective non- violence with outreach to communities and Government.
• Develop and Sustain the Board of Advisors into an operating Board of Directors in a independent Company

Job Summary
To provide support and ensure that the programme team meets the highest standards in compliance with US CSO corporate policy and procedures, thereby contributing to strategic objectives. As part of the team, the Programme Officer will assist in the management of the team’s portfolio which will largely involve, but is not limited to, project cycle management including financial management and reporting.
Responsibilities

• Project Support: In conjunction with relevant colleagues, assist with all aspects of the end to end programme cycle management including, where appropriate representation at meetings and provision of briefings, programme visits and logistic arrangements.
• Programme Cycle Management: Assist in project/programme identification and design and with the actual launch and implementation; Assist with the planning of and active participation with on annual reviews of projects; Assist he Technical Advisers to prepare narrative reports on assigned projects for the purpose of the Monthly Programme Review meetings, and lastly ensure effective sharing of information within team.
• Procedural and Financial Management: Ensure compliance at all levels with CSO procedures such as issuing contracts, making payments and information registry
• Corporate Responsibilities: Assist with other corporate responsibilities such as logistics for the preparation of any. retreats, seminars, and high level visits from Headquarters and with preparation of returns (including briefings) to Headquarters/BOA and others as necessary.

Desired Behavioural Competencies

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering Value For money
• Delivering at pace
• Collaborating and Partnering
• Leading and Communicating

Requirements

• A University first degree for these positions is required and would preferably be in the Social Sciences.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate suitable years of work experience and proven ability in programme management, financial management and procurement.
• Strong understanding of risk management and internal control issues.
• Good communication and report writing skills.
• Must exhibit high levels of professionalism, integrity and ethical values at all times.

Job Position: Compliance Officer
Location: Port Harcourt
SDN requires Compliance Officer within the operation division of the Niger Delta Legacy Engagement funded by the State Department Conflict Stabilization Operation. The Engagement which is awarded to SDN is currently to cover funding period till 31st December 2014, with operational extension possible to 31st March 2015.
The Position reports to the Assistant Programme Manager (Operations) directly, will deliver Quality Assurance within the team headed overall by Programme Manager with overall responsibility for performance. Position will contribute towards the engagement goal that the people of the Niger Delta emerges from the 2015 election period without destabilizing violence and with increased confidence in the power of non-violent problem solving among the citizens, government and other key actors
Overall Engagement Objective- includes

• Reduce the likelihood of Conflict
• Improve the Social Contact in 3 States of the Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta)
• Produce a Multimedia Campaign supported by dialogue and civic advocacy
• Develop capacity and effective non- violence with outreach to communities and Government.
• Develop and Sustain the Board of Advisors into an operating Board of Directors in a independent Company

Role Functions:
The position holder will carry out independent appraisals of the effectiveness of policies, procedures and standards by which ND Legacy’s Engagement Operations are implemented ensuring the quality and integrity to agreed standards as well as processes.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, adequacy of internal controls, and reliability of quality, compliance with applicable laws and the safeguard of assets within ND Legacy’s Engagement policy framework.
• Plan, perform and report back on internal audits to ensure that financial control, financial guidelines of donor organizations and other control procedures are in place and are being properly implemented and managed within ND Legacy’s Engagement offices.
• Responsibility for facilitating the establishment of Quality Standards for the Engagement.
• Advise and monitor quality standards and value for money and make recommendations for improvement.
• Test internal controls, target in particular high risk areas; document any weaknesses and their impact, and make recommendations to address these weaknesses.
• Follow up on the implementation of audit recommendations and management action plans. Ensuring learning, improvements on agreed standards.
• Where necessary, carry out investigations of alleged fraud, mismanagement, loss of assets or any other investigation.
• For each assignment, prepare a written report to present findings and conclusions to Programme Manager and broader SDN Management.
• Prepare routine monthly financial and labor related reports as agreed with APM and distribute to Senior Management, technical and financial staff.
• Respond to management queries in relation to ND Legacy’s Engagement internal control environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Quality processes and standards, (theory and practice)
• Knowledge of local and donor contractual requirements and regulations
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting, budgeting and fiscal control theory and practices.
• Understand theory and practice of continuous improvement
• Be able to work within a team  as well as exercise oversight independence
• Budget development skills with multi funding sources and general ledger skills.
• Relevant software skills to include automated accounting software and database spreadsheets and Management Information Systems.
• Ability to work with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, and recipients of assistance.
• Work independently with initiative to manage high volume work flow.
• Routine coordination with ND Legacy employees and consultants, on-site and in the field.
• Resourceful through technology, research skills, and relationship building  among several organization teams and units and professional organizations.
• Perform detail-oriented work with a high level of accuracy
• Interact with diplomacy and tact and follow-up on requests in timely and efficient manner.
• Maintain confidentiality for sensitive issues or projects and use judgment and decision-making to execute duties and responsibilities.
• Handle financial and quantitative information with accuracy and precision; resourceful in gathering, verifying and analyzing financial data.
• Strong understanding of risk management and internal control issues.
• Good communication and report writing skills.
• Must exhibit high levels of professionalism, integrity and ethical values at all times.
• Time management skills, both in planning and organizing work to meet deadlines.
• Ability to effectively communicate financial and internal control issues to staff with little or no financial background.
• Attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely.
• Ability to travel a minimum of 25%.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• BS/BA degree in Accounting, Finance and Business Administration its recognized equivalents
• 3 – 5 years relevant experience of Quality systems operation and implementation.
• MS/MA degree in Accounting, Finance and Business Administration or its recognized equivalents (advantage)
• 1-3 years experience in internal control functions.
• Familiarity with U.S. Government grants or other client funded programs, contracting and auditing standards as they apply to effective management of multi-year funds is required.
• CPA, ACA, ICAN, CIMA, CFE or any other relevant professional qualification is an advantage.
• Training in Total Quality Management, Balance Scorecard EFQM or any ISO quality standards.

Job Position: Assistant Programme Manager (Delivery)
Overall Engagement Objective-Includes

• Reduce the likelihood of Conflict
• Improve the Social Contact in 3 States of the Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta)
• Produce a Multimedia Campaign supported by dialogue and civic advocacy
• Develop capacity and effective non- violence with outreach to communities and Government.
• Develop and Sustain the Board of Advisors into an operating Board of Directors in a Independent Company

Accountabilities
The Assistant Programme Manager reports to the Programme manager in all areas of responsibilities and job outcomes. The role is to oversee the delivery of strategy on a daily basis especially focused on community and government line of efforts. Managing the planning, entry and engagement with chosen communities under an agreed strategy with the Programme Manager Working with partners, stakeholders, consultants to ensure the media line of efforts and other aspects of the engagement complement each other to ensure report against indicators. Facilitate effective intervention and understanding briefing the Programme Manager in a timely and effective manner.
Key Job Objectives

• Manage and report on detailed delivery of the engagement
• Ensure all delivery are consistent to agreed messaging as well as objectives
• Work effectively to build relations with Communities and Government
• Ensure agreed reports are provided and submitted in a timely manner
• Ensure all delivery functions, processes and actions are aligned to deliver
• Maintain the effective relations with communities as agreed to Programme Manager
• All Processes and staff deliver up to service standards

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Experiences)
Knowledge

• Community development
• Contract Management
• Operation management
• Tool design and development
• Project Management
• Effective Administration
• Quality Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• HR
• Service agreements and Standards
• Management and Financial Information

Skills

• Project management
• Internal Consultancy
• Problem Solving Skills
• Facilitation
• People Management
• Negotiation
• Verbal and Written Communication
• Prioritizing
• Multi tasking
• Training / Capacity Building
• Report writing
• Empathy
• Pattern recognition
• Diversity Management
• Service orientation
• Listening

Attitudes

• Transparent decision making
• Creative Problem solving
• Openness to feedback
• Participatory and collaborative
• Mission orientation
• Assertive
• Discerning

Experiences

• Project and Programme management
• Community empowerment
• Development work
• Team building
• Advance report writing

Job Position: Assistant Programme Manager (Operations)
SDN requires Assistant Programme Manager to assist the Programme Manager of the Niger Delta Legacy Engagement funded by the State Department Conflict Stabilization Operation. The Engagement which is awarded to SDN is currently to cover funding period till 31st December 2014, with operational extension possible to 31st March 2015.
The Position reports to the Programme Manager directly, will deliver towards the
engagement goal that the people of the Niger Delta emerges from the 2015 election
period without destabilization violence and with increased confidence in the power of non-violent problem solving among the citizens, government and other key actors
Overall Engagement Objective- includes

• Reduce the likelihood of Conflict
• Improve the Social Contact in 3 States of the Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta)
• Produce a Multimedia Campaign supported by dialogue and civic advocacy
• Develop capacity and effective non- violence with outreach to communities and Government.
• Develop and Sustain the Board of Advisors into an operating Board of Directors in a independent Company

Accountabilities:
The Assistant Programme Manager reports to the Programme manager in all areas of responsibilities and job outcomes. The role is to provide operational and detailed support for all key areas of operations. Developing processes under an agreed
strategy with the Programme Manager. Working with Secretariat Administrative and Financial staff to set up service level standards for all stakeholder and beneficiaries. Oversee all sub contracts, consultants and reviews of all such ensuring progress is monitored, and there is proper accountability and due process is developed and followed consistent with USG award. Act as Chief of Staff of Staff to the Programme Manager ensuring all direct and indirect relations are aligned and consistent for effectiveness.
Key Job Objectives

• Manage and report on detailed operations of the engagement
• Ensure all contracts are properly and transparently effective
• Ensure All staff are operational in meeting agreed objectives
• Ensure agreed reports are provided and submitted in a timely manner
• Ensure all Secretariat Functions and supports are delivered effectively
• Update all necessary process, standards and operation as agreed to Programme Manager
• All Processes and staff deliver up to service standards
• Update all necessary processes, standards and Operations as agreed to Programme Manager

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Experiences)
Knowledge

• Contract Management
• Operation management
• Process definition and mapping
• Project Management
• Effective Administration
• Quality Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• HR
• Service agreements and Standards
• Management and Financial Information

Skills

• Operations management
• Internal Consultancy
• Analytic Skills
• Detail oversight
• People Management
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Management
• Negotiation
• Verbal and Written Communication
• Prioritizing
• Multi tasking
• Research
• Report writing

Attitudes

• Transparent decision making
• Attention to details
• Openness to feedback
• Participatory and collaborative
• Mission orientation

Experiences

• Project and Programme management
• Civil Society Contracts
• Development work
• Team building
• Advance report writing

How to Apply:
SDN is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are welcome from people regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, intimate orientation gender. The appointment will be under local terms and conditions and is subject to medical and security clearance.
Qualified and interested applications should send an email to [email protected]

“To request an application form and return the completed application to the same address by 12 noon on 8^th May 2014.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will be invited to join the next stage of the assessment process

Salary: Attractive and commensurate with experience.

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