Technical Advisor at Preston Associates International Development

Preston Associates International Development Limited (Preston Associates) is a development sector research organisation, established in 2013 and headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. We are committed to enhancing development outcomes in Africa, especially in health, governance, education, gender, child and youth development. We provide evidence for improved development outcomes through research; and we specialise in providing technical support to our clients in the areas of programme design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning across the development sector spectrum.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Advisor

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Supervises: Technical Department
Indirect interaction: All Business Partners

Job Purpose

• The Technical Advisor, working with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), will provide technical direction and management to support the effective implementation of the Technical Department activities.
• Will support the CEO in a high-level capacity for technical oversight and ensuring integration of all project’s technical areas.
• She/he will ensure successful project outcomes by overseeing efficient implementation, minimizing risks, reducing costs, and enhancing success rates.
• As well as enhance PAID's visibility as an effective research firm, solidify its reputation in project services, and bolster its competitive position in sustainable development partnerships.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide vision, direction, leadership, and management oversight in developing and implementing programs, projects, strategies, and the technical department.
• Lead the overall development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and supervision of all technical department proposal writing, project activities and personnel.
• Lead the coordination of all projects in line with client's requirements and Preston Associates quality standards.
• Contribute to proposal writing and technical reports in line with bilateral and multilateral organizations and other major funders standards, ensuring Preston Associates quality control and quality assurance standards.
• Lead the quality management system and standard of the Technical Department (TD)
• Develop departmental goals and targets, implement, and evaluate results building a continuously improved system
• Ensure departmental compliance to Preston Associates systems and standards, federal and international law governing the development sector
• Lead the TD and collaborate with other HoDs in implementation of Preston Associates strategies
• Oversee project risk assessment and mitigation
• Attend meetings, conferences, seminars etc. on behalf of the organization
• Source and assist to identify key industry and project specific experts locally and internationally, manage consultants, subcontractors, and sub-awardees.
• Mentor, train and motivate direct reports to create a culture of teamwork, inclusivity, and an enabling work environment
• Travel as required in the line of your work
• Submit quarterly departmental report to the CEO to be presented to Board
• Consistently update the CEO on industry trends and development to guide organizational decision making
• Integrate AI and big data solutions into PAID’s existing systems, to enhanced Preston Associates capabilities and productivity
• Analyze large datasets to extract valuable insights and drive data-informed decision-making
• Lead, develop and deploy machine learning models to optimize operational efficiency and enhance customer experience
• Provide technical guidance and support Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data-related initiatives
• Oversee the overall coordination and management of consortiums activities and initiatives
• Lead identifying, establishing and maintaining relationships with business partners, clients, organizations, relevant government agencies and other key stakeholders
• Monitor partnership performance and identify areas for improvement, implementing necessary adjustments to maximize the value of each partnership
• Organize and facilitate training and technical support to enhance capacity, sustain programs, and expand service coverage for Preston Associates.

Knowledge Management (KM):

• Provide guidance on knowledge management to create a knowledge management strategy and framework.
• Oversee the development and revision of papers, presentations, articles, publications on Preston Associates activities and development sector trends
• Collaborate with the Public Relations team on any industry related information.
• Leverage existing platforms to support and advance knowledge-sharing within the organization
• Lead knowledge management efforts, and ensure lessons learned are incorporated into future project activities
• In collaboration with the GC & HR, drive Preston Associates' learning agenda to foster the development and use of best practices to improve outcomes in program initiatives
• Facilitate in collaboration with the GC & HR, knowledge acquisition through trainings leveraging AI and big data tools for organization growth
• Continually develop the systems, standards, documents, activities, and personnel of the department

Key Performance Indicators:

• Rate of proposal success and contracts awarded
• Rate of project success and lead time closure
• Rate of return clients
• Rate of referral from past/current clients
• Budget management
• Process improvements
• Risk management
• Rate of quality assurance compliance
• Rate of compliance to company policy

Required Skills and Competencies
Skills/Knowledge:

• Master's or Doctorate Degree and a minimum of 15 years' work experience in public health, sociology, law, knowledge management, education, project management, public policy, international development, economics, or related field.
• Previous result-based programs engagement with women, children, and youths, with a minimum of 12 years working in the technical implementation of international development programs is an added advantage.
• Expert in technical adviser on international development awards, grants, contracts, sub- awards, finance, and compliance.
• Proficient in project management with experience from an established organization.
• Proficient operational experience with multilateral (IMF, UN, WHO, EDF etc.), bilateral organizations (USAID, FCDO, DFID, CIDA etc.) and other major funders e.g., the Gates Foundation, MasterCard Foundation, etc.
• Expert communicator – verbal and written - technical writing, attention to details and interpersonal skills
• Proficient researcher, development sector policies, procedures, best practices, grants, contracts, and compliance.
• Ability to enhance PAID's visibility as an AL, big data development sector and research, solidify its reputation in project services, and bolster its competitive position in sustainable development partnerships.
• Proficiency in project management software, analytical software (python, DevResults, TolaData, PowerBI, Tableau etc.), statistical software packages (SAS, SPSS, R, etc.), Microsoft teams, and other relevant softwares.
• Expert in analytical (including analyzing large datasets, quantitative, and qualitative analysis), documentation, compliance, proactive, problem solving, conflict resolution, innovative, creative, critical thinking and decision making
• Strong understanding of business development and customer service,
• Expert knowledge of key performance indicators and project evaluation methods.
• Proficient in management (including consortium, program and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning), leadership, organizational skills.
• Expert at accurately interpreting complex documents and policies.
• Strong quality control, quality assurance, and risk assessment skills.
• Strong ability to network, collaborate, negotiate, mentor, train and influence outcomes and teamwork

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Application Deadline 11th December, 2023.