Head of Programme – Nigeria (Abuja)

About the role

The Head of Programme will lead the design, implementation and monitoring of high‑quality humanitarian programmes for NRC’s Nigeria Country Office, providing strategic leadership across the portfolio and ensuring alignment with the organisation’s mission, donor requirements and country strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Country Office fundraising strategy, mapping donor policies and aligning them with NRC’s programme and advocacy goals.
• Lead the partnership strategy in Nigeria, fostering effective collaboration with national and international partners and strengthening partner capacity.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the overall country strategy.
• Ensure coherence and quality of core‑competency programming inputs across all processes and documents.
• Build and strengthen networks and partnerships with other humanitarian actors.
• Manage grants through NRC’s Project Cycle Management framework, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
• Promote synergy between programme and support units.
• Act as Country Director when delegated.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years senior management experience in humanitarian or recovery contexts, with responsibility for programme or project management.
• Proven experience in MEAL systems, accountability mechanisms and grant management.
• Experience leading consortia or partnership implementations.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, with excellent drafting skills.
• Knowledge of the Central and West Africa crisis context and donor landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams, manage cross‑cultural communication and resolve conflicts.
• Behavioural competencies: strategic thinking, initiating change, empowering trust, resource optimisation, handling insecure environments, delivering results, acting with integrity.

Required skills

• MEAL systems
• Grant management
• Project Cycle Management (PCM) framework

What we offer

• Duty station in Abuja, Nigeria.
• 24‑month fixed‑term contract (Grade 11 salary scale).
• Equal‑opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.
• Opportunities to innovate, take initiative and influence programme direction.
• Access to NRC employee benefits as described on the organisation’s career site.