Program Manager: Join the Rise Up Together Initiative

JOB VACANCY: PROGRAM MANAGER – RISE UP TOGETHER (RUT) AT STAND WITH A GIRL (SWAG) INITIATIVE

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Organisation: Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative

Employment Type: Full-Time (Hybrid)

Programme: Rise Up Together (RUT)

About Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative

Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative is a registered youth-led organisation committed to ensuring that every girl in Nigeria, regardless of where she is born or found, is empowered to achieve her full potential.

The organisation works to create safe and supportive environments that promote the social, economic, academic and healthy development of girls through education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and empowerment initiatives.

About the Rise Up Together Programme

Rise Up Together (RUT) is an initiative that advances social justice, education, equity and opportunities for women and girls in Nigeria.

The programme invests in local solutions, strengthens the leadership of women and girls, and builds movements that enable individuals and communities to drive sustainable change.

Job Overview

SWAG Initiative is seeking a qualified, experienced and results-driven Program Manager to oversee the coordination, administration and implementation of the Rise Up Together (RUT) Programme in Nigeria.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary focal person responsible for coordinating activities and maintaining relationships among SWAG Initiative, the RUT team, programme participants, subgrantees, country partners and other relevant stakeholders.

The Program Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring effective programme implementation, proper resource coordination, achievement of programme objectives and timely delivery of reports and other deliverables.

This is a dedicated position for the RUT Programme. The successful candidate will be employed through SWAG Initiative, which will serve as the Employer of Record, and will report to both the designated SWAG supervisor and the Rise Up Together team.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1. Programme Coordination and Implementation

Lead the planning, coordination and implementation of RUT programme activities in Nigeria.
Develop and monitor programme work plans, activity schedules and implementation timelines.
Ensure programme activities align with approved objectives, deliverables and expected outcomes.
Coordinate programme meetings, training sessions, workshops and stakeholder engagements.
Monitor implementation progress and address operational and programme challenges.

2. Participant and Stakeholder Engagement

Coordinate participant recruitment, selection and onboarding.
Maintain effective communication and relationships with programme participants, subgrantees, country partners and stakeholders.
Serve as the primary liaison between SWAG Initiative, Rise Up Together and relevant stakeholders.
Support stakeholder engagement and collaboration to strengthen programme delivery.

3. Grantee Support and Technical Assistance

Coordinate technical assistance and capacity-building support for grantees.
Conduct regular site visits and follow-ups to assess implementation progress and identify support needs.
Monitor grantee activities, deliverables and progress against agreed objectives.
Document implementation challenges, lessons learned and emerging opportunities.

4. Programme Administration and Logistics

Oversee administrative and logistical requirements of programme activities.
Coordinate event planning, travel arrangements, procurement requests and other operational needs.
Ensure effective utilisation and coordination of programme resources.
Work with relevant SWAG departments to facilitate smooth programme operations.

5. Documentation, Reporting and Communication

Maintain accurate and up-to-date programme records and documentation.
Prepare and submit timely programme updates, progress reports and required deliverables.
Ensure effective communication with staff, funders, participants, partners and vendors.
Document programme achievements, challenges, success stories and lessons learned.
Ensure programme information and documentation are accessible to relevant stakeholders.

6. Performance Monitoring and Accountability

Track programme implementation against approved work plans, timelines and deliverables.
Collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure activities are properly documented and monitored.
Identify implementation gaps and recommend corrective actions.
Promote accountability, transparency and quality in programme delivery.

7. External Relations and Advocacy

Represent the programme and Rise Up Together in local media, including radio, television and print media, as well as national events when required.
Identify and engage potential local and national partners to generate programme participation and build strategic partnerships.
Work with the Rise Up Together Communications team to collect stories of leaders and advocacy achievements for publication on social media and websites.
Write blog articles and participate in interviews to share information about the programme in Nigeria.
Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at community and national levels.
Participate in national task forces, working groups and advocacy networks with prior approval, and communicate relevant decisions and meeting minutes to the RUT team.

Qualifications and Experience

Interested candidates must meet the following requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Project Management, International Relations or a related discipline. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an added advantage but not compulsory.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience working with a nonprofit organisation, preferably an international nonprofit organisation.
Must currently reside in Nigeria and be willing to undertake local and international travel when required.
Ability and willingness to undertake local travel of up to 20% of working time.
Demonstrable experience independently managing and coordinating projects or programmes.
Strong understanding of grassroots gender equality issues and challenges affecting women and girls in Nigeria.
Established working relationships with relevant stakeholders, civil society organisations and partners working on gender equality, women’s rights and girls’ empowerment.
Experience participating in or leading advocacy campaigns, social mobilisation initiatives and engagement with decision-makers.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication and collaboration with an international team.
Strong programme coordination, planning and organisational skills.
Familiarity with data management, documentation and programme reporting.
Strong administrative, financial tracking, budget monitoring and financial reconciliation skills.
Experience using web-based communication tools, digital collaboration platforms and social media.
Flexibility to manage varying workloads and additional responsibilities when necessary.
Ability and willingness to undertake international travel.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Experience using Salesforce or other Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems is an added advantage.
Fluency and strong proficiency in written and spoken English.

Safeguarding and Ethical Commitment

SWAG Initiative is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable persons while maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment.

The successful candidate will be expected to uphold the organisation’s safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), anti-harassment and other relevant policies and standards.

The selected candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, accountability and the protection of programme participants.

Application Requirements

Interested and qualified candidates are required to submit the following documents:

An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
A cover letter demonstrating relevant professional experience, competencies and suitability for the position.

Application Deadline: 20th November 2026

This vacancy may close earlier once a suitable candidate is identified.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application form and upload their CV and cover letter through the application link below.

Application Link

For difficulties completing the application form or uploading documents, applicants may contact:

Email: info@standwithagirl.org

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early, as the vacancy may close once the ideal candidate is identified.