Program Associate jobs career at Search for Common Ground (SFCG) Nigeria 2013

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organisation that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in

Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organisations, and governments deal with conflict – away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 500 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 50 offices in 30 countries, including in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and Africa. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff who love their work. You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.

The Program

SFCG currently has programs in fifteen countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. SFCG also implements regional programming addressing cross-national programming. SFCG is implementing an 18-month community-led peacebuilding program in Plateau State, known as “Plateau Will Arise!” Key activities include local-level trainings, community projects, and media production in close coordination with Nigerian and international organisations.

Job: Program Associate

Location	Jos, Nigeria

Summary of Position

This position will be a support function to SFCG’s program in Nigeria. The position will be responsible for programmatic and administrative support, including program reporting, logistics, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The position will work closely with SFCG’s Project Manager, Senior Finance Staff, and DM&E personnel, as well as national partners. In addition to capturing results and contributing to program implementation, the position will require representing SFCG with partners and externally. The position holder will be supervised by the Project Manager, and will work regularly with SFCG’s Africa Team. The incumbent will travel for approximately 25% of his or her time.

Responsibilities

 • Support reporting mechanisms on programming in Plateau State.

• Support sound monitoring mechanisms in coordination with the DME Coordinator and Program staff.

• Work with the Project Manager and Country Director to support the production of donor reports, ensuring results-oriented focus and quality reporting.

• Assist the Project Manager and DME Coordinator in developing and executing, and monitoring project workplans for SFCG and partner activities.

• Support the development of complementary programs, including program design and proposal-writing, as required.

• Represent SFCG with partners, donors, the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders as requested.

• Work to assist in the logistical and administrative coordination of SFCG’s projects in the Niger Delta as required.

• Conduct activities aimed at strengthening relationships with national partners and stakeholder groups.

• Provide content material for updating the project websites, as well as regular program updates, newsletters, and other SFCG literature.

• Attend representational meetings such as NGO coordination, etc.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in the social sciences, conflict resolution, international development, African Studies, or a related field; Masters’ degree preferred.

• Two (2) years of relevant work experience, preferably in conflict resolution, peace-building, development and/or media.

• Excellent English writing skills, including experience producing proposals, reports, newsletters, and other informational documents.

• Experience in coordination, administration, logistics and operational support.

• Good understanding of budgeting and other financial procedures.

• Experience working outside of country of origin preferred.

• Ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural team.

• Ability to work to strict deadlines and coordinate and compile information from various sources.

• Willingness to regularly travel on short notice around the sub-region.

• Ability to multi-task, work independently and show initiative.

• Flexibility and good humor

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience, with excellent benefits

How to apply:

Application Deadline: July 17, 2013.  Please send a cover letter and resume to employment@sfcg.org  or fax to +1 (202) 232-6718 with the subject heading: Program Associate – Jos, Nigeria.  

Please be sure to include minimum salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention where you found this posting. No phone calls please. 

Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work. Please note that projected start date will be in August.