Project Manager, Nigeria (three positions available)
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reports to: Senior Projects Manager
Contract duration: 1 year fixed term (Renewable)
Application instructions:
Interested candidates should please send in their application/cover letter with an introduction and capability statement stating capability for the job, a detailed curriculum vitae (word document please) with names and addresses of at least two professional referees (including their telephone number and email addresses) to [email protected] with the position applied for clearly stated on the application cover letter.
This is a local post applicable to people who have the legal right to live and work in Nigeria.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application deadline: Friday 1 August 2014
Job purpose:
BBC Media Action works in partnership with local media agencies, civil society organisations, and governments to achieve long term development goals. We produce creative media content to inform and engage audiences, and strengthen the media sector by building professional skills and technical capacity. The Project Manager is responsible for the overall management and delivery for projects.
There are three project manager vacancies opening in 2014 and 2015, leading large scale Governance and Health projects; BBC Media Action is seeking experienced individuals to take on these roles.
The Project Manager will make sure the agreed targets and objectives are met while ensuring the quality and cohesion of project outputs. This post will also ensure that all relevant departments are kept abreast of project timelines in order that all necessary support and reporting is delivered at the appropriate time within the projects.
The Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing financial management of the project and reporting on editorial and operational progress to the Senior Projects Manager. S/He will coordinate with key stakeholders and will ensure effective relationships and partnerships with a wide range of partners including broadcasters, NGOs, international development agencies, government coordinating bodies, and others.
Main duties
• To take responsibility for overseeing the planning and implementing of all activities for the project
• To ensure that the design and implementation of project activities adhere to work plan and donor commitments and remain in line with BBC editorial standards and values and Media Action’s best practice. To negotiate and mediate if conflicting views/priorities arise within the project, working through these to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
• To participate in the design and coordination of monitoring and evaluation and conduct regular feedback sessions, adjusting project delivery as necessary upon approval.
• To manage project budgets and ensure the delivery of the outputs is in accordance with that budget and in line with Media Action’s financial procedures and the funder’s operating guidelines.
• To coordinate closely with other relevant Project Managers and Media Action teams
• To work with the other BBC Media Action staff in Nigeria and London to support recruitment and induction of new staff as required by the project.
• To lead the reporting of progress, both internally to BBC Media Action and externally to other stakeholders
Required skills, knowledge and experience
• Experience of project management with demonstrated capacity to manage large-scale projects effectively.
• Proven experience managing projects with large budgets, and providing accurate and timely reporting to donors.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise time effectively within a range of often conflicting deadlines, juggle competing priorities to meet the agreed strategy.
• The ability to forge strong working relations quickly and gain the trust of partners in other international NGOs, in government, in media houses, and elsewhere.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English
Desired skills, knowledge and experience
• Knowledge of the media development and media for development fields.
• Knowledge of the health sector, particularly familiarity with maternal and childhood health initiatives.
• Developed understanding of radio broadcast and programme making.
• Awareness of the BBC’s editorial values and an instinct for how to apply these to media development projects.
• Strong understanding of the role of communications in development.
Key competencies
The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.
• Editorial judgement – demonstrates balanced and objective judgement based on a thorough understanding of BBC editorial guidelines, target audience, programme and department objectives. Makes the right editorial decisions, taking account of conflicting views where necessary.
• Decision making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.
• Planning and organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
• Managing relationships and team working – able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.
• Developing others – able to recognise potential (managerial, professional, artistic or otherwise) and is willing to foster the development of that potential. Creates a climate in which potential can be realised.
• Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
• Influencing and persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
Note: This is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
