Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization with 35 member states hailing from different continents around the world. International IDEA aims to support sustainable democracy worldwide, doing so, inter alia, by working with both new and long-established democracies to strengthen the institutions and culture of democracy and enhance the rule of law. Located at the interface of research and practice, International IDEA serves as a forum for dialogue and uses comparative experience and analysis to identify good practices for democracy-building. It also produces knowledge tools and practical guides for democracy support. The Institute maintains a global network of experts, provides training materials, and offers strategic advice to democracy actors at the international, regional, and national levels. The Institute is headquartered in Stockholm with field offices in Africa and West Asia, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.

International IDEA will be managing the “EU Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) in Nigeria” programme. This programme aims to reduce Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria by strengthening laws and policies, expanding survivor-centered essential services and driving positive social-norm change. It will ensure that people in all their diversity with particular attention to women, girls and the most vulnerable have their rights promoted and protected from all forms of violence through legislation and effective enforcement, while improving the rule of law, tackling impunity, and enhancing access to justice through a more independent, effective, responsive, transparent and gender-sensitive justice sector. The programme also advances Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The programme will work towards three anticipated Outcomes:

I. Outcome 1 - Strengthened implementation, enforcement and monitoring of key legal and policy frameworks on the prevention of SGBV such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, response to SGBV and the protection of women, men, girls and boys;

II. Outcome 2- Improved access to essential services (health, justice, protection and other related services) to recover from experienced violence, especially for survivors from rural communities, conflict affected communities, persons with disabilities and for victims of technology facilitated SGBV;

III. Outcome 3- Strengthened capacity of civil society organisations, including women’s rights organisations, social movements, community-based groups and the public, to influence and promote favourable social norms as a way of ending SGBV;

The Senior Programme Manager, ESGBV is responsible for the overall management, oversight, and delivery of the Project, leading to the achievement of the following expected Impact: Nigeria’s effort in reducing Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) at the federal, state and local level. The position also provides direction and ensures cohesion of the project partners on aspects of programming and compliance with EU requirements. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manages and coordinates the implementation and quality assurance of all programme activities as identified in the Description of Action (DoA), ensuring compliance with EU and International IDEA policies and procedures; Accountable for a timely and efficient implementation of the programme objectives within the budgetary frames;
2. Leads, manages and provides strategic direction to the ESGBV programme; Oversees programme planning (including leading the development of project strategies, workplans, and other key project frameworks);
3. Ensures the delivery of agreed outputs and outcomes in cooperation and coordination with other areas of work within International IDEA’s programmes, as well as external partners;
4. Manages and provides advice, direction and feedback to project partners on aspects of programming, ensuring EU requirements are met;
5. Oversees and contributes to training, facilitation, research and strategy development in close collaboration for the component specialists;
6. Manages and directs the work and team to deliver efficiently, within agreed timeframes and budget, and in accordance with approved procedures and processes;
7. Establishes and nurtures a working environment that is conducive to delivering results, fostering a spirit of collaboration, strong work ethic and team cohesion;
8. Is accountable for programme finances and grant management, and ensures that financial planning supports the delivery of programme results and demonstrates value for money;
9. Lead on the design of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework in accordance with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approach outlined in the programme design document, responding to both EU needs, and aligned with International IDEA’s M&E results framework;
10. Communicates, represents, and ensures the visibility of the programme is in line with the Communication and Visibility Plan; Ensures communication and cooperation with International IDEA’s global and crosscutting programmes;
11. Represents the ESGBV programme externally as appropriate, including development and maintenance of positive and effective relations with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, EU, other donors and other interlocutors relevant to the project;
12. Ensures effective support for the convening of steering and technical committee meetings;
13. Leads and coordinates and is responsible for ensuring the quality of the draft Terms of Reference for the peer-to-peer assistance;
14. Actively manages programme risk, and regularly updates the risk management strategy in line with organizational policies and procedures;
15. Ensures adherence to both EU and International IDEA policies and procedures in programme implementation and reporting;
16. Carries out other duties and responsibilities related to the post that may be assigned from time to time.

Safeguarding

     17. Shares responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with          whom they work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children;

    18. Has a shared duty to safeguard from the following conduct by staff or partners:     sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, or adults at  risk; and any form of trafficking of persons.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in the field of Gender, Violence Against Women, GBV Emergency Response and Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Leads assigned projects with authority throughout the project life cycle, i.e. from strategic planning and project design, funding and budgeting to project assessment and accountability; leads meetings and discussions, supervises publications and input from external providers;
• Contributes to publications; is recognized as an expert in his/her broad professional community Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Leads a team of contributors to the project, including staff members consultants;
• Fosters team-based activities in their unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model and mentor for colleagues;
• Is expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in their projects;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Anticipates internal challenges and issues and recommends process improvements;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’ s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;
• Integrates a rights-based approach, gender, and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

• Head of Nigeria Programmes

Education and Experience

• Post-graduate degree in law, human rights, international development, political science, gender/women’s studies, public policy or other related fields;
• A minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience in designing and leading interventions to eliminate Violence Against Women, strengthen emergency response for survivors of Gender Based Violence, and promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Africa and other developing country contexts;
• Relevant experience in programme management and implementation, and the provision of expert advice in the field of democracy and governance is essential;
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ management experience, including senior level positions, with direct supervision over complex, multi-functional teams; Experience with motivating and leading teams and solving problems;
• Excellent understanding of project management, monitoring and evaluation approaches and procedures is essential;
• Experience in planning, developing, and managing EU funded programmes, as well as familiarity with EU processes and systems;
• Excellent knowledge in written and oral English is required; Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region (Arabic, French, Spanish) and/or official EU language would be an asset.

Terms of Contract:

• This post is advertised subject to the confirmation of funding
• International Post
• Fixed-term appointment for two (2) years.

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted no later than 23:59 (CET) 01 December 2025.
• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.
• All candidates will be notified on the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality