Search for Common Ground (SFCG) Vacancy for a Program Associate in Nigeria

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization 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, organizations, 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 650 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 50 offices in 35 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.  The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff that is committed to its mission and values.  You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.

Summary of SFCG Nigeria
SFCG has worked in Nigeria since 2003, firstly producing a TV series targeting youth and social cohesion, and since 2010 growing our on the ground conflict transformation work. The program currently runs about eight projects supported by multiple governmental and multi-lateral institutions, with offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Jos and Maiduguri.  Our programs involve people to people conflict transformation, capacity building, collaborative action, media production, outreach and conflict analysis, with strong local partners around the country. The SFCG team is currently scaling up its work, and will have approximately 50 staff nationwide, with about half of these in northern Nigeria.

Job Position: Program Associate - Nigeria

Summary of Position
The Project Associate will be responsible for supporting  the Project Manager managing the Plateau will Arise project to ensure, accurate/timely reporting, program support and capturing of lessons learned. The program associate will also liaise with other projects underway in Northern Nigeria, and work with the Country Director, Deputy Director and regional teams in the design and writing of follow-on projects.

Responsibilities
The Project Associate’s duties include, but are not limited to:

• Work with the Project Manager of the Plateau will Arise program to support the production of regular donor reports, ensuring results-oriented focus and quality reporting;
• Support the Project Manager in monitoring the project progress as per the workplans;
• Provide content material for updating the project websites, as well as regular program updates, newsletters, and other SFCG literature;
• Support reporting quality on other projects implemented in Northern Nigeria;
• Facilitate professional capacity building among the SFCG staff in use of different computer software and programs, tools for planning, monitoring and reporting;
• Represent SFCG with partners, donors, the Nigerian Government and other project stakeholders as requested; and
• Support the development of complementary programs, including program design and proposal-writing and consultations, as required for future SFCG programming.
• Facilitate target community’s level of engagement with the program through the project’s web-based communication platforms;
• Assist the Project Manager in overseeing the production and deployment of visibility material;
• Assist the Project Manager and DME Manager in developing, executing, and monitoring project work-plans for SFCG and partners;

• A Master’s Degree in the social sciences, conflict resolution, international development, African Studies, or a related field;
• At least two (2) years of relevant work experience, preferably in conflict resolution, peace-building, development and/or media;
• Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa an advantage; Experience in fragile or conflict-affected environments an advantage;
• Good understanding of budgeting and other financial procedures;
• Professional-level fluency in English (written and oral);
• Ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural team and to tolerate uncertainty and unstable environments;
• Strong ability to multi-task and work independently;
• Willingness to regularly travel on short notice around Nigeria; and
• Flexibility and good humor.
• Strong writing skills, including experience producing proposals, reports, newsletters, and other informational documents;
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and coordinate and compile information from various sources;
• Experience with projects implemented in the field with funding from USAID, EU, DFID, SIDA and other donors;
• Experience monitoring complex programs, projects, or other systems;