Job Summary:
You will oversee the planning, coordination, and tracking of project activities while fostering relationships with partners and stakeholders to support the delivery of infrastructure interventions aligned with the Star Project (Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region) objectives, furthering Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. Leveraging your expertise in project management and infrastructure programming, you will ensure the implementation of high-quality, conflict-sensitive, and community-driven infrastructure, driving continuous improvements in impact and sustainability.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties:
This role encompasses a variety of critical functions, including [insert responsibilities here]. The successful candidate will be tasked with [specific duty 1], while also ensuring [specific duty 2]. Additionally, they will collaborate with [teams/departments] to [specific outcome or objective]. Key duties involve [specific duty 3], along with maintaining compliance with [relevant standards or regulations]. The position requires a proactive approach to [specific area], where the individual will drive [specific initiative or goal]. Strong [skill or competency] is essential to effectively manage [specific process or task]. Furthermore, the role may involve [additional responsibility, if applicable].
Oversee technical, budgetary oversight, monitoring, and reporting activities across the majority of the project lifecycle—including initiation, implementation, and closure—ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles and standards, KfW/BMZ donor mandates, Government of Nigeria regulatory frameworks, and industry best practices.
Effectively oversee talent management and supervise technical staff, site supervisors, and contractors. Foster positive team dynamics and prioritize staff well-being. Deliver personalized coaching, design strategic individual development plans, participate in the recruitment of project staff, and conduct performance evaluations for direct reports.
To guarantee that learning is effectively integrated into infrastructure project activities across the entire project cycle, this role involves facilitating continuous improvement through coordinated evaluation efforts aligned with the MEAL Policy. The position requires vigilant oversight to promptly detect and address implementation challenges, procurement inefficiencies, contractor performance concerns, and ESS (Environmental, Social, Health, and Safety) risks, ensuring timely reporting to support necessary adjustments to plans and implementation timelines.
You will foster and enhance strategic partnerships critical to infrastructure initiatives, collaborating with community organizations, Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDS), contractors, and local stakeholders, utilizing suitable partnership frameworks, methodologies, and strategies.
Serve as the organization’s liaison with donors, international non-governmental organizations, the United Nations, pertinent local partners, and key local governmental and community stakeholders to advance infrastructure and stabilization initiatives under the Star Project.
Coordinate the resources—financial, material, and human—necessary for the effective execution of infrastructure projects. Perform regular budget assessments and liaise with partners and contractors to ensure the punctual submission of financial and progress reports, thereby enabling accurate monitoring of resource utilization.
Assess the staffing and technical assistance requirements of partner organizations and community structures, then develop and implement capacity-building initiatives and necessary interventions to enhance the delivery and long-term sustainability of quality infrastructure, including operations and maintenance systems and cash-for-work integration.
Assist in compiling trend analysis reports and distributing the resulting insights. Evaluate infrastructure project documentation to verify the completeness of project files, ensuring they include technical designs, approvals, site documentation, and handover records, while organizing them in accordance with CRS and KfW/BMZ donor specifications.
Seeking an individual with a comprehensive understanding of the relevant field, complemented by a robust set of technical proficiencies and interpersonal strengths. The ideal candidate will possess advanced expertise in core competencies, along with a proven ability to apply practical solutions to complex challenges. Strong analytical reasoning, effective communication, and collaborative teamwork are essential to thrive in this role. Additionally, the position requires meticulous attention to detail, adaptability to evolving circumstances, and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills are essential, enabling the ability to exercise sound judgment in intricate infrastructure and operational settings.
Proven ability to cultivate and maintain productive relationships with local stakeholders, such as government officials, community leaders, and contractors, along with exceptional representation skills.
Proficient in drafting and enhancing written materials, such as technical updates, donor reports, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Demonstrates a proactive approach, a commitment to achieving measurable results, and a dedication to providing exceptional service, while maintaining a high level of personal accountability.
Delivering assigned tasks with meticulous attention to detail, unwavering accuracy, and strict adherence to deadlines—including the completion of all documentation and compliance obligations—is essential.
Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, complemented by at least three years of hands-on experience in software development, with proficiency in multiple programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++. Experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, along with familiarity with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines, is highly desirable. Candidates should possess strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills for cross-functional collaboration, and a proven track record of delivering scalable solutions. Additional advantages include certifications in cloud technologies, contributions to open-source projects, or experience in Agile or Scrum methodologies.
Experience in grant management, particularly with KfW/BMZ or other public donors, is advantageous.
Seeking candidates with a proven track record in overseeing teams within infrastructure or construction environments.
Proficiency in collaborating with stakeholders across multiple levels and cultivating community partnerships, with a strong emphasis on conflict-sensitive engagement, is essential.
A strong asset for this role is the capacity to assist in crafting technical proposals, encompassing infrastructure designs, Bills of Quantities (Boys), and cost estimates.
Proficiency in data analysis and active participation in the preparation of evaluation reports are essential.
Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and the MS Office suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, is required, while prior experience with construction or design tools will be considered an asset.
Required Languages: Proficiency in English is mandatory, while fluency in Hausa is highly desirable; knowledge of Kauri and Fulfulde would be considered an additional asset.
Must possess the ability and willingness to travel extensively, accounting for up to 60% of the role’s responsibilities.
Provide technical guidance and oversight to infrastructure personnel, site supervisors, and external contractors to ensure compliance with established standards and project objectives.
Develops and maintains productive partnerships with key stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and senior leadership, to drive alignment, collaboration, and operational success.
Program Manager II – Star, tasked with leading Procurement and Logistics Teams while also overseeing the MEAL Team Director, with a key focus on Early Recovery and Resilience initiatives.
Government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDS), alongside contractors, suppliers, local and international NGOs, community leaders, and existing structures, as well as coordination platforms and working groups, serve as key external stakeholders.
Applicants must meet the following foundational requirements to be considered for this position. These include possessing a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in the specified field, holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related discipline, and demonstrating proficiency in industry-standard software applications. Additionally, candidates should exhibit strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, as well as the capacity to work effectively in collaborative team environments.
A bachelor’s degree is required for this position. A master’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, architecture, infrastructure planning, or a closely related field would be considered an asset.
A minimum of five years of professional experience in project management is required, with preference given to candidates with a background in infrastructure programming, construction supervision, or community infrastructure development. This experience should have been gained while working for a non-governmental organization (NGO) or a development-focused entity.
The ideal candidate should hold active registration with reputable construction professional organizations, including engineering, building, architecture, or quantity surveying bodies—such as CORE, USE, NIA, NILS, or other similarly accredited regulatory associations.
Professional experience in infrastructure design, construction oversight, or contract administration can serve as an equivalent to certain educational qualifications.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
5 years