Context

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization with 34 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. 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, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

International IDEA Africa and West Asia is managing the second phase of the “Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme” in Nigeria. The programme is funded by the EU for a period of five years. The programme work towards three anticipated Outcomes: 

• Outcome 1: Enhanced performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and of justice service delivery.

• Outcome 2: Improved access to justice for vulnerable women, children, juveniles, persons with disabilities and victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

• Outcome 3: Increased transparency and accountability of anti-corruption systems and reforms.

The Senior Programme Manager is responsible for the overall management, oversight, and delivery of the programme and representing the programme at an institutional level, with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and with the programme donor.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensures the successful implementation of the RoLAC programme, throughout the entire project cycle; accountable for a timely and efficient implementation of the programme objectives within the budgetary frames;

2. Leads, manages and provides strategic direction to the RoLAC programme; Manages and directs the work and team to deliver efficiently, within agreed timeframes and budget, and in accordance with approved procedures and processes;

3. Oversees programme planning and implementation; Closely monitors programme performance and prepares and provides periodic programme  reviews in a timely and effective manner;

4. Ensures the delivery of agreed programmatic outputs and outcomes in cooperation and coordination with other areas of work within International IDEA as well as external partners;

5. Establishes and nurtures a working environment that is conducive to delivering results, fostering a spirit of collaboration, strong work ethic and team cohesion;

6. Lead on the design of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework in accordance with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan outlined in the Programme Design document, responding to both EU needs and aligned with International IDEA’s M&E results framework;

7. 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; Ensures coordination and effective communication with EUD Nigeria and programme partners;

8. Represents RoLAC II programme externally as appropriate, including development and maintenance of positive and effective relations with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, EU, International IDEA Member States, the UN, and other relevant donors and other relevant interlocutors;

9. Ensures effective support for the convening of steering and technical committee meetings;

10. Promotes dialogue and consensus building at the highest levels and provides and facilitates expert advice to programme partners; Plans, facilitates, participates in and makes presentations at coordination meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences;

11. Actively manages programme risk and regulary updates the risk management strategy in line with organizational policies and procedures; 

12. Ensures adherence to both EU and International IDEA regulations and procedures in the programme implementation and reporting;

13. Provide strategic line management and leadership to the programme team, ensuring staff are supported to perform their roles to the required standards, and contribute to organisational performance management processes, including providing structured input and feedback into IDEA staff performance reviews;

14. Carries out other duties and responsibilities related to the post that may be assigned by the Head of Programmes from time to time.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through post-graduate academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in the field of Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Anti-Corruption;

• Leads assigned teams (including staff members and consultants) and programmes throughout the project life cycle; leads meetings and discussions;

• Regarded as an expert in their broad professional community;

• Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into their field of expertise;

• 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 programme;

• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;

• 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 qualification in social science, political science, international law, international development or other relevant discipline;

• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Anti-Corruption, programme management and implementation, and the provision of expert advice; Experience working in the field of democracy and governance in Africa and other developing country contexts;

• A minimum of five (5) years’ management experience, including senior level positions, with direct supervision over complex international teams; Experience with motivating and leading teams and solving problems;

• Excellent understanding of programming, 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 considered an advantage;

• Relevant experience from an international and/or regional organization in the work of democracy assistance would be considered an asset;

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Knowledge of French or any other AU language will be considered an advantage.

Terms of Contract:

• International Post.

• Fixed term appointment until 31 December 2027.

• Remuneration - EUR 7, 258 NET per month + benefits

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CET) 18 March 2026.

• Due to the anticipated volume of applications, International IDEA will review applications on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

• 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 of 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.