Fresh Job at British High Commission

• The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO Nigeria) is responsible for managing the British Government’s contribution to development, diplomacy and defense in Nigeria, with the objective of supporting subnational government and collaborating with development partners at federal and state levels to reduce poverty.
• FCDO Nigeria is looking for a dynamic, experienced and committed Nigerian to lead delivery of results for FCDO in our partner state, Jigawa and one of our transition states, Katsina.
• This is an exciting opportunity to represent the organization to some of the most senior Nigerian and UK Government stakeholders and drive forward results in Northern Nigeria.
• The post holder will be expected to work across sectors and develop strong relationships with state governments and implementing partners.
• S/he should be resilient, a strong team player, an ability to work with limited supervision and possess excellent networking, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience of delivering results and influencing in complex and fragile environments (particularly in Northern Nigeria) would be an asset.
• The post holder will work with the Head of the Sub-National team (SNT) to drive forward strategic dialogue and mutual accountability engagements in Jigawa state.
• In close consultation with the Head of the SNT, the post holder will help build HMG’s understanding of the political and development context of Jigawa and Katsina states, with a view to influence subnational governments in line with FCDO political interests, policy objectives and to drive forward Programme implementation.
• Where necessary the post holder may provide percentage time to support the work of any of the FCDO Blocks, depending on his/her background and area of specialization and competence.
• The SNT is a critical arm of HMG’s enabling teams, thus the post holder will work collaboratively with other FCDO Enabling teams and FCDO Block leads to tell a coherent FCDO story at the sub-national, and ensure success of HMG’s work in Nigeria as “a force for good”.

More specifically, the Job Holder will be expected to deliver on the following areas:

• Develop effective relationships with Government officials, Politicians and Political Office holders, Development partners, Civil society, Traditional and Religious Institutions and the general public to effectively influence approach(es) to development and diplomacy; as well as representing FCDO at high level policy and programme discussions in Jigawa and Katsina.
• Drive forward FCDO political, policy and programme objectives in Jigawa and Katsina states including on results, programme coordination, political and policy analysis. Liaising with the Sub-National Team Lead and Abuja political team to provide real time political updates.
• Lead the coordination and coherence of FCDO Nigeria’s work at state level.  FCDO’s work covers a broad range of political influencing and political economy analysis; development programming agenda including human development, social protection, economic growth, governance and conflict reduction programmes.
• Drive forward Strategic Dialogue and Mutual Accountability Framework engagements with Jigawa State and work collaboratively with government, programme implementing partners and donors to deliver on agreed commitments. Job holder will work with the Sub-National Team Lead and Security team to manage security risks effectively, when bringing colleagues and senior leadership to Jigawa state to participate in the strategic dialogue and mutual accountability engagements.
• Support the design, implementation and monitoring of key programmes within our focal state Jigawa and our transition state, Katsina; and other locations as and when required.
• Support and shape the development and delivery of FCDO and UK government strategy through providing regular state political and development analysis.
• Facilitate improved donor harmonization and programme coordination in Jigawa state where relevant, working with appropriate state ministries, departments and agencies; and encouraging donors to join and align their delivery with the State strategic dialogue and mutual accountability framework.
• Contribute to FCDO Nigeria Office Management on corporate requirements for correspondence, briefings, parliamentary questions, reporting, preparations for high level visits, communications, programme reviews and core agendas e.g., Value for Money, Results and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).
• Support the FCDO Nigeria Office Management as necessary in a flexible, co-operative, and collaborative manner, engaging where required on corporate and other matters for the effective and efficient implementation of FCDO Programmes in Jigawa and Katsina States.