The Program Manager will ensure the timely execution and coordination of the project, overseeing deliverables, reporting, and overall team coordination.

Program/Practice/Department Overview:

The AquaTrade project is designed to create jobs within Nigeria’s fisheries value chain for women and youths by providing capacity building training and facilitating access to market and finance with the aim of boosting trade in fish and value-added fish products.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage project work plans, budgets, and timelines and monitor project progress and ensure adherence to deadlines.
• Serve as lead spokesperson for the program and represent the organization in important meetings, conferences and events.
• Develop and implement the Project Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) in collaboration with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist.
• Track and assess project milestones, key performance indicators (KPIs), and impact metrics.
• Identify risks, challenges, and corrective actions needed to ensure successful project execution.
• Ensure timely submission of progress reports, financial reports, and donor compliance documents.
• Manage project delivery and facilitate regular review meetings as per agreed timelines while ensuring ongoing adoption of any suitable developments.
• Develop and manage the project budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Forecast financial needs and ensure adherence to procurement and fund utilization policies.
• Support financial audits, procurement close-outs, and project closure activities, ensuring compliance with funders’ requirements.
• Lead and direct a team of programme officers, project staff and consultants. Plan and allocate work assignments, coach, mentor, and evaluate staff and consultants.
• Ensure the timely and quality delivery of project deliverables. Lead team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Prepare and submit regular project reports to the Country Director and Stakeholders.
• Maintain effective communication and manage relationships with key stakeholders. Work with the stakeholder liaison expert to explore opportunities for collaboration and synergies with other related agencies and stakeholders and provide briefs to the Country Director on emerging issues and trends impacting the work programme.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field and 7 years of experience in project management. Alternatively a Master’s degree and 5 years of experience.
• Strong experience in managing donor-funded research projects.
• Strong knowledge of project management frameworks, particularly in scientific and donor-funded environments.
• Experience working in multi-country, multi-stakeholder projects with international research institutions.
• Familiarity with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) methodologies, including data collection, impact assessment, and reporting.
• Good Market System Development skills
• Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, Word, and project management tools (e.g., Gantt charts, logical frameworks).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong in research and leading case studies across West Africa
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong leadership and problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to diverse cultural and research environments.