Senior Programme Officers (2 Positions) at Voluntary Service Overseas

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in 34 developing countries. VSO’s high-impact approach involves bringing people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action, and change lives to make the world a fairer place.
VSO has been operating across Nigeria since 1958 and has accompanied the country through complex social change and growth. As part of its current country strategy 2012-15, VSO Nigeria works with poor and marginalized young men and women in an integrated way and to shape our responses based on the needs and priorities they identify. We relate to youth as both ultimate beneficiaries, as well as our key facilitators of social change. We focus on children (boys and girls), adolescent girls and boys (10-19 years range) and young men and women (20- 35 years).
Summary of the Role
VSO Nigeria is currently looking for a dynamic, proactive and results oriented persons to join the Nigeria Country Office team to coordinate programme activities in 2 clusters. S/he is responsible for programme and project development in line with the country strategy and development and management of partnerships with civil society and government organisations with support of national and international volunteers; involves proactive engagement with volunteers, partners and relevant stakeholders to realise our strategic objectives relating to education, secure livelihoods and youth participation in governance. S/he ensures gender mainstreaming in all our work, and will be the primary contact for the selection and placement of volunteers with partners in the cluster. The positions will be based in Lagos and Abuja and will report to the Head of Programs.
Key responsibilities include:
• Programme Delivery: Identification and mapping of civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, NGO/CBO Networks) that could contribute to delivering VSO Nigeria country strategy in the respective states and develop partnerships with organizations that are aligned to our vision, values and strategy. Analyse development challenges keeping the youth as central and explore opportunities for development.
• Partnership Development and Management: Develop coordination mechanisms between partners (NGO and government), volunteers and staff to develop shared understanding and vision of VSO Nigeria work in the cluster. Engaging and building relationship with key stakeholders (government departments – NYSC and other parastatals, INGOs, Donors and Corporate bodies operating in the cluster.
• Volunteer Engagement/Management: Identify volunteer requirements to deliver the programme/projects developed (International volunteers, corporate volunteers, diaspora volunteers, National volunteers and community level volunteers to be placed with partners). Develop placement documentation to facilitate recruitment of volunteers. Work with the operations team to induct, orient and provide on-going support to volunteers including safety and emergencies.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop and implement strong M & E systems for the projects/partners/volunteers to ensure that the impact of VSO Nigeria work is captured as well as promote institutional learning and knowledge sharing across the organization. Ensure the documentation of success stories/challenges for knowledge sharing and organizational learning.
• Safety, Security and Emergencies: With support of SMT members be responsible for duty of care and safety and security of volunteers in the cluster and act as first point of contact for volunteers in the cluster.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Develop realistic project plans and budgets, ensuring compliance with donor requirements. Develop, maintain and regularly review financial plans to deliver programme objectives including full participation in the annual budget preparation process.
Knowledge, skills and experience required
Essential:
• Passion and commitment to make significant impact on the lives of marginalised young men and women in Nigeria
• Excellent understanding of development challenges and in depth knowledge of civil society organisations in the respective cluster/ Nigeria
• Understanding of project cycle management tools and ability to effectively plan, implement and review programmes; Skills in program/project development and proposal writing ; Knowledge of budgeting and financial management in the context of project planning/management
• Significant experience in a similar role with other INGOs/National NGOs, projects and programs and good track record of contributing to significant impact on the marginalised
• Experience working on projects and programs relating to education, livelihoods and governance, youth participation peace building etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and analytical skills; Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt to new and demanding situations and work independently or with limited supervision.
• Experience in networking, partnership development and multi stakeholder stake holder engagement for a common purpose.
• Willingness to travel extensively with in the cluster often using public transport
Desired-
• Practical experience gained within a volunteering/NGO context and of managing a volunteer programme.

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