Nigeria/Home-based: Program Advisor

The Freedom Fund (www.freedomfund.org) is a global fund with the sole aim of helping end modern slavery.

We are a catalyst in the global effort to end modern slavery, working in the countries and sectors where it is most prevalent. We invest in and partner with organisations and communities on the frontlines of ending exploitation.

By partnering with those at risk of modern slavery as well as visionary investors, governments, and anti-slavery organisations, we bring together the knowledge, the capital and the will needed to dismantle the systems that allow slavery to exist and thrive.

Through our investments and support, we aim to shift power, so that frontline organisations and communities can shape and drive the change required to bring modern slavery to an end.

In its first eight years, the Freedom Fund has supported over 140 organisations in Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.

About the Position: 

This is an exciting and demanding role for an outstanding individual with experience in setting up, managing and implementing international development programs. The Program Advisor will act as the Freedom Fund’s country representative in Nigeria. They will have a range of responsibilities, including assisting the establishment of in-country partnerships, managing grants to local partners, conducting site visits, supporting a community of practice among grant recipients, monitoring results and reporting impacts, representing the Freedom Fund to the government, and convening meetings and events for partners, government officials, and other stakeholders.

This position is a remote-working position. However, the candidate should be based in Lagos in order to facilitate easy access Lagos-based pilot partners.

About the Program: 

The Freedom Fund, supported by the US Department of State, is currently implementing a pilot program in Nigeria and Liberia to identify effective intervention strategies to address exploitative child domestic work. The program first supported a research study to gain a deeper understanding of the factors and systems that facilitate exploitative child domestic work in both countries. Based on the findings of this research, local civil society organisations and the Freedom Fund have started designing interventions to reduce the prevalence of exploitative child domestic work. The Freedom Fund will now provide grant funds to civil society organisations to pilot 12-months interventions and closely monitor their effectiveness to inform a longer-term strategy to address this issue.

Responsibilities: 

Working with a range of teams in the UK and US, including finance, HR, programs, fundraising and communications, as well as a colleague in Liberia, the successful candidate will manage and implement the Freedom Fund’s program in Nigeria. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Monitoring and Implementation Support: 

• Support implementation of the program, working closely with pilot partners, local government officials, and other key stakeholders.
• Work closely with pilot partners to ensure they can meet donor compliance requirements and to complete financial and narrative reports.
• Conduct regular office and program site visits of pilot partners.

Reporting and Data Management: 

• Review pilot partners’ quarterly data and financial reports, giving feedback and supporting partners to improve quality of their reporting.
• Provide financial oversight of pilot partners budgets.
• Support the coordination of program-level research and evaluation projects among pilot partners.

Learning: 

• Coordinate and attend various meetings for a diverse range of stakeholders, including pilot partners, government stakeholders, and other service providers.
• Assist in the development and facilitation of a learning community/ network of implementing organisations/ partners, and their outreach.
• Support the monitoring and learning work led by the program’s research partner.

Other Support to the Freedom Fund Team: 

• Provide logistical support for Freedom Fund representatives and other donors to visit the program.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and lessons learned related to program deliverables with members of the Freedom Fund team on a regular basis.
• Collaborate with other members of the Freedom Fund in other countries and headquarters, as needed.
• Carry out other relevant assignments on behalf of the Freedom Fund, as requested.

Qualifications and Experience: 

The Freedom Fund seeks a dedicated, self-motivated Program Advisor, capable of working with limited supervision and of quickly establishing effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. The successful candidate will have experience in successful program implementation.

Essential: 

• 10 years of experience working on children’s rights, labour rights and / or community development in Nigeria.
• Grant-making experience on behalf of international organisations to local civil society organisations.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of grants and programs, including data collection, data management.
• Knowledge and experience working on anti-human trafficking and modern slavery initiatives; experience in other key areas such child domestic work or child labour is an asset.
• Experience in engaging with government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the government system in Nigeria, especially child protection frameworks and responsible government agencies.
• Experience working with national and international non-governmental organisations.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding standards and practices.
• No known conflicts of interest with other Freedom Fund partners or consultants.
  (Any potential conflicts of interest are to be declared as part of the application so that they can be considered as part of the application review.)
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, including for technical and business applications.

Personal Attributes: 

Essential: 

• Dedicated, self-motivated and capable of working with limited supervision.
• Fluent in English.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (especially Word and Excel); experience with grant management databases an asset.
• Strong group facilitation skills and community organising skills.
• Detail oriented with the ability to manage and track data across multiple grant recipients.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work closely with government, INGOs, and other local agencies.
• A positive, team-centric attitude and willingness to support team members to meet short-term needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience working effectively in a cross-cultural team.

Compensation: 

• $26,495 - $27,192 USD per annum (dependant on experience)
• Festival bonus (on top of base salary)
• 10% contribution to your pension
• Health insurance
• 15 days annual leave per year + 11 public holidays
• 12 days of sick leave at full pay per year.

How to Apply: 

Applications should be submitted in English and include a CV, cover letter (maximum one page) and contact details of two professional referees, one of which must be the applicant’s current / most recent line manager or current / most recent Head of HR. If professional referees are not applicable, personal references are welcomed, providing they are able to speak to the strengths listed in the above description.

Please send applications by email in PDF format to jobs@freedomfund.org, including ‘Program Advisor, Nigeria’ in the subject line by Monday 11th September 2023 at 9.00am BST.

Please note that only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. No phone calls please. No agencies please.