Program Manager needed at Pact Nigeria

Pact works across multiple sectors and actors to combat corruption, promote democracy and improve health. Our funding partners run the gamut from the U.S. Government to private foundations to corporations, and our on-the-ground partners include Nigerian ministries and civil society organizations focused on advocacy, democracy and health.

Since 2005, Pact has helped forge partnerships between government and civil society, resulting in the passage of four significant national bills to fight corruption, including 2011’s landmark Freedom of Information Act. In 2012, we worked with 96 local Nigerian partners, equipping them to improve internal processes and broaden their support. Pact is carrying out two significant USAID-funded projects in Nigeria: one that focuses on HIV prevention and care in nine states, with special attention to children at risk of the infection, and another that works with local governments to improve their capacity, transparency and delivery of services to constituents.

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND, MBA/MSc/MA
Experience: 8 – 10 years
Location: Abuja

Open To: All qualified candidates

Opening Date: 17th November 2021

Closing Date: 10th December 2021

Duration: 1 year

Location: Abuja

Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant.

Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Project Overview

Pact is recruiting a Program Manager for a one-year project focused on strengthening rural economic development and improving the commercial viability of mini-grids in Niger State and Plateau State, Nigeria by supporting micro-enterprises’ transition from diesel generators to electric motors, mechanize of labor intensive activities, and start new enterprises that productively use energy. The project will be implemented from February 01, 2022 – January 31, 2023, with a possibility for extension and expansion. The project manager will oversee the work of two additional full-time staff.

The project will address four causes of limited demand for energy: 1) limited knowledge of productive use opportunities, including the economics of transitioning from diesel generators to electric motors; 2) limited business skills and financial literacy, which impedes small businesses from assessing the potential of productive use equipment to improve their operations; 3) supply chain and product quality challenges, and 4) to a varying extent, lack of financing options for purchasing productive use equipment. With Pact’s support, local economic activity, incomes, and demand for energy will increase, which will positively impact other socio-economic indicators in target villages, while increasing both the number of customers served by mini-grids as well as average revenue per user.

We envision that with project support, local economic activity, incomes, and demand for energy will increase, which will contribute to broad-based economic growth, while increasing both the number of customers served by mini-grids as well as average revenue per user.

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Key Responsibilities

Lead Pact’s efforts, in partnership with mini-grid developers, to assess the needs of selected communities, conduct introductory meetings in target communities with participation from community leadership and micro-enterprise owners to provide an overview of the project, secure community buy-in, and to establish a baseline understanding of skills, to tailor the trainings appropriately.
Hire, train and coach a team of two full-time employees: draft job descriptions, review applications, conduct interviews, manage onboarding, set goals and provide ongoing mentorship and management to support the team achieve project objectives.
Coordinate Pact’s efforts to provide training and support to micro-enterprises, which will include technical assistance specific to the need (i.e., diesel conversion or new productive use equipment) and business type (i.e., agricultural, industrial, or commercial).
Assess the market of locally available electric motors and productive use equipment through discussions with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and identify quality products that match the needs and productive use opportunities identified by participating communities.
Utilize Pact’s proven revolving loan approach to offer financing for those micro-enterprises that require a loan to purchase new equipment or electric motors.
Work with community leaders to establish or strengthen Village Electrification Committees (VECs), which manage revolving loan funds.
Refine the productive use and demand stimulation model through research and comparative analysis, adapting the project design based on the results.

supervise the creation of work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and external writing summarizing project results and evidence. Prepare regular reports documenting processes, outputs, and outcomes of work.
Any other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of experience OR Master’s degree and 8 years of experience in project management, energy, livelihoods, business administration, capacity development, or other relevant areas.
Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with governments and civil society partners.
Demonstrated effective interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills.
Possess a deep understanding of, and connections to, the communities we serve.
Strong writing and oral presentation skills, including fluency in English.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Niger and Plateau States.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their resume/CV and cover letter on their suitability to: mcullinen@pactworld.org The deadline for submission is 10th December 2021, however applications will be considered on a rolling basis. All CV’s/resume/applications MUST be in either word format or PDF. Applicants MUST indicate the position applied for as the SUBJECT of the mail. Note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.