Job Details

Description

Job Title: Program Manager, IGNITE

Reporting to: Program Director, IGNITE

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

TechnoServe Background:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

undergraduate internship in abuja (Program Research Intern)

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Description: Program Manager

The Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiatives Through Enterprise (IGNITE) builds on the  foundations of the Technical Assistance Accelerator Prelude (TAAP) program to achieve increased motivation and fortification capability of millers leading to increased proportion of fortified staple foods and conversion of a critical mass of millers to improved FF practices across at least eight countries.

IGNITE will facilitate the activation and expansion of a catalytic collective impact initiative – the Millers 4 Nutrition (M4N) coalition – to globally coordinate and locally implement an ultimately sustainable model for delivery of technical assistance (TA) and other services to millers. These TA services, and associated engagement platforms, will establish business cases and motivate and develop capabilities of food processors to improve their performance in the fortification of selected staple foods and condiments, and thereby to achieve large-scale and relevant (contributing to the diets of large proportions of populations in countries where staple FF has been identified as part of national nutrition strategies) coverage on a sustained basis.

The IGNITE program is implemented in eight priority countries namely Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania, with Kenya serving as the  operational hub.

Job Summary:

The Program Manager will lead the implementation of the Inspiring Good Nutrition IGNITE program in Nigeria, driving the rollout of M4N activities. This includes fostering engagements with local processors (wheat flour, edible oil, salt, and sugar) and government agencies, establishing business cases for fortified foods, and building the capabilities of millers to adopt improved fortification practices. Working closely with partner organizations and stakeholders, the Program Manager will ensure alignment with IGNITE’s strategic objectives to motivate and develop the capacity of food processors to improve their performance in fortifying selected staple foods.

Reporting to the Program Director, with a dotted line to the Country Director, the Program Manager will oversee bilateral initiatives, support the expansion of the M4N coalition, and contribute to global program strategies. 

Primary Functions & Responsibilities: Program Manager

Program Strategy & Implementation

• Develop and validate impact strategies, budgets, and operational plans in collaboration with internal teams and relevant stakeholders.
• Drive coordination efforts between industry and government partners to align M4N activities with program objectives and priorities.
• Identify business and fortification challenges faced by food processors, design tailored TA projects, and facilitate knowledge and technology transfer to address gaps.

Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building

• Represent TechnoServe in country-level meetings with food processing executives, regulators, technical experts, universities, NGOs, and government agencies.
• Identify and onboard prospective companies to the program, ensuring alignment with program objectives and expectations.
• Design and lead stakeholder convenings and sector-wide training workshops, capturing and reporting key outputs and action items.
• Provide guidance and training to the country team to enhance their capacity for achieving program goals.

Data Management, Communication, & Reporting

• Lead data mapping and ongoing validation processes, incorporating insights through key informant interviews and other external resources.
• Alongside the M4N Program Manager, regularly monitor, update, and maintain LSFF resources on the program’s digital platform.
• Collaborate with the Communications Specialist to update national fortification resources, generate success stories, and communicate program achievements.
• Develop and present reports, updates, and materials for donors, stakeholders, and internal teams, supporting program visibility and transparency.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology, Nutrition, Business Administration, or related fields with 7+ years of relevant experience, OR a Master’s Degree with 5+ years of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating PPP programs in developing countries.
• Experience working with financial and project management systems.
• Background in Nigeria’s food processing industry preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong cross-sectoral relationship management skills.
• Analytical with commitment to quality; rigorous approach with high attention to detail.
• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates creative problem solving.
• Food processing experience, preferably in staple foods with an understanding of fortification technology will be an advantage.
• Strong project management, budget management and strategic thinking abilities.
• Proven ability to work in an environment requiring collaboration with the private sector, government, and national and international organizations.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Flexible, proactive, goal-oriented and with a willingness to travel in challenging environments.
• Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

Required Languages: Fluency in English is required.

Travel: Willingness to travel is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural collaboration skills Ability to work with tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and projects.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and projects under tight deadlines.

• Ability to work and represent TNS in a multicultural and technical environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and quantitative skills with attention to detail.
• Outstanding written communication skills, including editing and proofreading.

Supervisory Responsibilities –  The Program Manager will supervise the entire IGNITE country team.  

Closing Statements:

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515.