Project Manager at Mercy Corps Nigeria - MY NGO JOBS

PROJECT MANAGER – COMMUNITY OWNED RURAL ELECTRIFICATION (CORE)

The Opportunity: Enabling Sustainable Energy Access and Local Governance

Achieving durable development in rural communities requires innovative, locally driven energy solutions that simultaneously foster economic growth and strengthen community capacity. This Project Manager position is critical to the humanitarian-development nexus, leading a flagship initiative to pilot a sustainable model for rural electrification through Renewable Energy Users Cooperative Societies (REUCS). By bridging the gap between national policy (REA) and grassroots governance, this role directly supports Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy while building long-term community resilience and economic opportunity under the prestigious UK PACT funding mechanism.

Job Summary

Mercy Corps is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Project Manager to be the central coordinating lead for the multi-partner CORE project, implemented in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). This position is solely responsible for ensuring the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards, acting as the primary management liaison between the implementation consortium (Mercy Corps E4I, Murty International, KCRC, and local hubs) and the UK PACT donor team.

What Skills Are Needed: Core Project Governance and Energy Sector Management

Competency	Description
UK PACT/FCDO Compliance	Proven experience in project management or coordination for FCDO (or similar international donor) grants, including rigorous reporting, financial tracking, and compliance with specific donor guidelines (e.g., evidence of outputs).
Project Management Office (PMO)	Strong, demonstrable experience in establishing and actively managing PMO tools, including risk registers, issues logs, and change control processes for complex, multi-partner projects.
Energy/Policy Sector Knowledge	Working knowledge of Nigeria’s energy sector policies and regulatory environment is required, with specific knowledge of electric cooperatives or productive use of energy (PUE) highly advantageous.
Team & Stakeholder Coordination	Exceptional ability to manage and harmonize the delivery of activities across diverse implementing partners and consultants, including high-level representation in government and Embassy-led events.
Project Certification	An internationally recognized qualification in Project Management (or a strong commitment to obtaining one early in the assignment) is essential.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

The Project Manager will be the steward of the CORE project’s success, focusing on strategic oversight, control, and technical assurance.

1. Strategic Coordination and Donor Management

Project Leadership: Serve as the main point of contact and primary liaison with the UK PACT donor team, managing all communications related to the project’s scope, timeline, and delivery.
Quality Assurance: Lead coordination across all implementing partners and consultants (E4I, Murty, KCRC), ensuring cohesion, alignment with the work plan, and adherence to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
High-Level Representation: Represent Mercy Corps in external engagement events, including stakeholder meetings with the UK PACT team, the REA, and the British Embassy, ensuring project advocacy and alignment.

2. Operational, Financial, and Risk Control

Reporting & Documentation: Lead the preparation and submission of all donor reports (fortnightly, monthly, quarterly), including detailed programmatic and financial reports, complete with evidence of outputs.
Budget Management: Oversee project budget management and resource planning, ensuring all financial processes strictly adhere to both UK PACT and Mercy Corps’ internal standards and policies.
Project Governance: Proactively manage the project’s risk register and issues log, addressing challenges swiftly and professionally, and strictly managing project change according to assigned control tolerances.
Filing & Record Keeping: Ensure the systematic and effective documentation, organization, and filing of all project documents and evidence, compliant with donor requirements and Mercy Corps’ Record Retention Policy.

3. Technical Assurance and Accountability

Technical Oversight: Oversee the delivery of technical outputs and provide quality assurance in planning market and industry events, ensuring adherence to UK PACT guidelines on MEL, communications, and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).
Community Accountability: Actively participate in the Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanism (CARM), ensuring safeguarding is integrated into all work, and promoting open communication channels for feedback and concerns among team members and participants.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

Education

At least a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, Development Policy, Energy, Environment, or another relevant, related subject.

Experience

A minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated project management or high-level project coordination experience.
Experience in coordinating the activities of multiple partners, consultants, and diverse, multi-cultural teams.
Experience gained while working for an international development organization is highly desirable.
Experience with FCDO-funded projects is an asset.

Skills & Attributes

Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management (or commitment to obtain it).
Strong project reporting and financial management skills.
Strong demonstrable experience in setting up and managing Project Management Office (PMO) structures.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory; working knowledge of local Nigerian language(s) is an asset.

Benefits of Applying

Mercy Corps is committed to the professional development and well-being of its team members:

Competitive Salary: This role is placed at Grade 5 on the national salary scale, offering a competitive remuneration package commensurate with high-level project oversight.
Strategic Exposure: High-level engagement opportunity with the UK PACT donor team, the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and other pivotal government counterparts.
Continuous Learning: Dedicated opportunity for professional growth, with staff empowered to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their development.
Mission Focus: Directly contribute to building sustainable energy models and economic resilience in vulnerable communities.

About the Organization (Mercy Corps)

Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization driven by the belief that a better world is possible, especially for those enduring disaster or hardship. Since 2012, Mercy Corps has been actively present in Nigeria, focusing on putting bold solutions into action to help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. Our interventions center on crucial areas such as humanitarian assistance, sustainable economic development, and effective conflict mitigation strategies across more than 40 countries globally.

Application Details

Detail	Information
Location	Abuja (FCT), Nigeria
Eligibility	Nationals Only (or Individuals with the legal right to work in Nigeria)
Position Status	Full-time (12-month contract, renewable)
Salary Level	Grade 5 (Competitive)
Application Closing Date	26th December, 2025

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application (CV and Cover Letter) through the designated online portal before the close of business on the specified closing date.

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Tips for Applicants

Emphasize Governance: Clearly articulate your experience setting up and managing PMO tools (risk registers, issues logs, change control) to demonstrate your capability in project governance.
Focus on FCDO/UK PACT: Provide specific examples in your cover letter of previous experience managing, reporting to, or ensuring compliance for FCDO or a similarly demanding international donor.
Address Multi-Partner Management: Describe a complex scenario where you successfully coordinated activities and reporting among multiple, diverse implementing partners or consultants to achieve a shared outcome.