SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND EMPLOYMENT OFFER

SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND (SFCG)


INTERNATIONAL NON-PROFIT – CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACE-BUILDING

CLOSING DATE: 12 JUL 2010

LOCATION: NIGERIA – ABUJA



SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND



PROJECT DIRECTOR – NIGERIA

BASED IN ABUJA, NIGERIA



JOB DESCRIPTION / ANNOUNCEMENT



THE ORGANIZATION



Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC, 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 approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 28 offices in 20 countries. SFCG’s programs are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the United States.



Within Africa, SFCG works in ten countries: Angola, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zimbabwe. To date, SFCG has undertaken a series of activities in Nigeria including the production and broadcast of a television series called The Team and a media sector mapping in the Niger Delta. SFCG has developed a some strong strategic partnerships and intends to launch into a full country programme in due course.



BACKGROUND OF SFCG IN NIGERIA



SFCG has worked through its multi-media division, Common Ground Productions, in Nigeria for the past three years, producing and broadcasting a TV series targeting a youth audience. While production of the series is completed, SFCG has continuing obligations for the next year around broadcast and outreach to ensure the material of the TV series is fully utilized by the targeted stakeholders.



The organization is planning to build on this engagement in Nigeria, initiating a multi-year conflict transformation program, utilizing media and support to civil society in order to expand and deepen the impact of the Common Ground approach in Nigeria. SFCG is establishing a permanent presence in Abuja, which can be an operational base for a number of initiatives including the country program. From this base, SFCG will continue to use the TV series called ‘The Station’ finding opportunities to bring this four-season production to bear on development issues in Nigeria. SFCG’s Sustainable Business Practice Division is in the process of scoping work and developing relationships with corporate interests and local organizations in the Delta, and will periodically require the support of the Abuja office.



SUMMARY OF POSITION



The Nigeria Project Director initially will be responsible for supporting the development of a specific project working with two partners closely on the implementation of a project in support of peacebuilding in the Niger Delta. This project, intended to support the Amnesty Commission and the reintegration of demobilized militants, will lay the foundation for the opening of a country program. Establishing a visible presence with solid networking contacts with various government offices related to the Amnesty at the national and state levels, international and local organizations, and potential funders will be important for the Project Director. Based in Abuja, Nigeria, the Project Director’s responsibility includes all aspects of establishing SFCG’s image as a balanced, non-biased organization.



The Nigeria Project Director will report to the Africa Director and will be an integral part of broader Africa Program initiatives. The Project Director will also collaborate closely with the Africa Team, including Country Directors, the SFCG Executive Vice President, and other DC and Brussels-based staff.



WORK ENVIRONMENT



Search for Common Ground has a great work environment with a mission of peace-building in the world, hard-working and friendly co-workers, team-building opportunities, and involvement in staff events. The organisation has won numerous awards.



RESPONSIBILITIES



Organizational Development and Implementation



- Establish office in Abuja and serve as SFCG’s country representative

- Ensure the implementation and reporting of the project and partnerships in respect of the project to support reintegration of demobilised militants

- Ensure that country policies, contracts, and disciplinary procedures and processes conform to local labor laws, as well as ensuring SFCG is in compliance with NGO regulations in the country

- Develop and maintain proactive, positive and professional relationships with partner organizations, other NGOS, donors, clients, politicians, key government officials, civil society groups, etc.

- Develop administrative and financial systems for the platform of a country program

- Maintain regular written and oral reporting to the Africa Director as well as Washington and Brussels on key country, regional, program, security and staff issues

- Maintain responsible media coverage of program events and issues related to SFCG mission

- Support the Nigeria office, and new country programs as requested, in proposal/report writing



FUNDRAISING
- Fundraising in collaboration with the Africa team- Pursue and establish relationships with potential donors
- Identify opportunities for fundraising in terms of program initiatives, sectors and/or relationships that develop programming possibilities
- Identify opportunities to find funding for and work with the Africa Team to develop proposals and budgets in response to opportunities
- Provide timely information and input for donor reports, updates, and other public relations documents
ADMINISTRATION
- Oversee general office affairs
- Leading the development of a Nigeria program and project priorities, plans, and long-term strategy
- Establishing and managing office in Nigeria, in compliance with local laws and organizational policies and procedures, including the recruitment, management and evaluation of a diverse staff
- Collaborating with the Regional Director on the expansion of the role of SFCG in Nigeria
- Ensure compliance with SFCG Operations Manual policies and procedures
- Establish and maintain updated security and evacuation plans
- Oversee the management of the project, ensuring timely grant reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines
- Manage and report the finances of the field office, establishing and monitoring a system of checks and balances to ensure the program’s financial stability and viability with an annual operating budget
 Be the focal point in Nigeria with regard to organization-wide institutional learning and design, monitoring and evaluation policies
The Nigeria Project Director will work with the Africa Director and delegates to establish strategic priorities for SFCG in Nigeria, including defining program priorities, plans and long-term strategy within the overall Africa Program vision and goals. With these priorities, collaboration will be expected to:

- Identify and assess current and existing conflict management and prevention initiatives in Nigeria and the relevant actors and stakeholders
- Identify local partners and target communities, and seek their input through individual meetings and planning sessions
- Establish SFCG’s vision and specific objectives for the Nigeria program, including identifying tools and methodology
- Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning efforts
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 duties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- At least five (5) years of experience in peace-building, development and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues such as civil society strengthening
- Bachelor’s degree in conflict resolution, international development, international relations, or related field
- Successful experience with fundraising
- Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience
- Demonstrated budgeting, proposal writing, and grants management skills
- Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving skills, particularly in challenging situations
- Knowledge of major donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage multi-donor funding
- Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to build and conduct effective professional working relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
- Spoken and written fluency in English
- Strong oral and written communications skills
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
- Experience living and working overseas, preferably in Nigeria or a related area of Africa
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Experience with creative conflict resolution practice
SALARY: Salary is commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter and current resume/CV to employment@sfcg.org or fax to +1 (202) 232-6718 with the subject heading: Project Director – Nigeria. Please be sure to include salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention you found this posting on ReliefWeb. Position is open until filled. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site at www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.

Reference Code: RW_85EK2W-43