Programme Operations Coordinator Job at save the children

JOB ALERT

SAVE THE CHILDREN RECRUITMENT

POSITION: Programme Operations Coordinator

JOB IDENTIFICATION: 17908

TEAM: Programme Operations

LOCATION: Borno State, Nigeria

GRADE: 3

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full Time

CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 Months

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 October 2026

POSTING DATE: 6 October 2026

CHILD SAFEGUARDING LEVEL: Level 3

ABOUT THE ROLE

Save the Children is seeking a Programme Operations Coordinator to support effective humanitarian programme delivery across the BAY states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

The successful candidate will strengthen programme operations, reporting, PRIME adoption, data quality, knowledge management, project start-up processes and continuous improvement.

The role will work closely with Programme Managers, MEAL, Awards and Operations teams to support timely, compliant and quality programme implementation and reporting across humanitarian projects.

REPORTS TO

Deputy Director, Programme Operations Humanitarian

STAFF MANAGEMENT

No direct staff management responsibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

PROGRAMME REPORTING

1. Coordinate with Awards Management, Programme and MEAL teams to ensure humanitarian project reports are completed, reviewed and submitted on time.
2. Support field teams with report writing and strengthen staff capacity in donor-level reporting.
3. Coordinate with Project Managers to identify and escalate programme concerns and implementation challenges.
4. Support timely initiation of emergency responses across the BAY states.
5. Work with the Deputy Director to review monthly transaction lists and budget versus actual information for active budgets.

PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

6. Support proposal development alongside the Business Development and technical teams.
7. Provide relevant context-specific information and data required for funding opportunities.
8. Support appropriate risk assessments for new awards and opportunities.

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

9. Work with Project Managers and MEAL teams to monitor humanitarian awards, including PRIME RAG status, IPTT and Budget Versus Actual reviews.
10. Support standardisation of reporting templates and data collection tools across the BAY states.
11. Track actions agreed during BVA and APRM meetings and ensure timely follow-up.
12. Track open purchase orders and support their successful closure.
13. Support the establishment and start-up of new projects across the BAY states.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

14. Support teams to develop accessible and useful documents for future proposals, learning and capacity building.
15. Strengthen document storage and information-sharing practices in line with donor requirements and internal guidance.
16. Train staff and partners on knowledge management.
17. Prepare accurate oral and written responses, briefings and information for staff, managers and external stakeholders.
18. Document good practices, lessons learned and successful approaches for sharing across field offices.

COORDINATION AND REPRESENTATION

19. Act as focal point for member and VIP visits, coordinating schedules and ensuring effective communication and information sharing.
20. Provide additional support to humanitarian teams as directed by the line manager.

PROGRAMME OPERATIONS AND DELIVERY

21. Support Programme Operations priorities and transformational initiatives, including PMM and Projects on Track.
22. Follow up programme delivery and improvement actions with Area and Field Offices and Programme Managers.
23. Contribute to monthly and quarterly Programme Operations reviews, reports, factsheets and performance narratives.
24. Support monitoring of programme delivery, Country Office KPIs, portfolio trends and projects requiring additional management attention.

PRIME SYSTEM SUPPORT

The role will also support effective use and adoption of the PRIME programme management system by:

1. Maintaining trackers for PRIME issues, corrective actions, responsible persons and deadlines.
2. Monitoring PRIME adoption, data quality and overdue actions.
3. Conducting regular quality checks of PRIME project information.
4. Supporting completion and maintenance of project workbooks and management records.
5. Coordinating PRIME user access requests and role changes.
6. Supporting communication with Regional and Centre PRIME support teams.
7. Developing practical PRIME guidance, FAQs and lessons learned.
8. Supporting PRIME onboarding, training, refresher sessions and coaching.
9. Acting as the first point of contact for routine PRIME queries.
10. Escalating technical issues when necessary.
11. Producing analysis of PRIME adoption, data quality and key trends to support management decisions.
12. Integrating PRIME requirements into project start-up, implementation, review, amendment and close-out processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should have:

1. A university degree in a relevant academic discipline or equivalent work experience.
2. At least 3 years of experience working in programme operations, programme management or a similar role within an NGO or humanitarian setting.
3. Experience working in humanitarian environments.
4. Strong experience in programme reporting, project start-up and close-out, monitoring, data quality and budget tracking.
5. Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation skills.
6. Experience preparing successful donor funding proposals.
7. Strong report-writing and analytical abilities.
8. Experience using programme management and information management systems, preferably PRIME or similar platforms.
9. Knowledge of MEAL, IPTT, BVA, risk management and donor compliance.
10. Strong communication, coordination and organisational skills.
11. Experience supporting, training, coaching and providing practical guidance to programme and MEAL teams.
12. Excellent written and spoken English.
13. Strong computer literacy.
14. Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with multiple teams.
15. Excellent time management and ability to manage competing priorities.
16. Ability to work effectively in complex and sometimes insecure humanitarian environments.
17. Political and cultural sensitivity, patience, tact and diplomacy.
18. Commitment to Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Experience in the following areas will be an advantage:

1. Emergency response.
2. Project management.
3. Save the Children systems and humanitarian programme standards.
4. Proposal development and donor reporting.
5. Portfolio reviews.
6. Knowledge management.
7. Process improvement and change management.
8. Staff supervision, training and coaching.
9. Project management certification or equivalent professional training.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate should demonstrate accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.

The role requires someone who can build effective relationships, work across diverse teams, encourage innovation, communicate clearly, manage resources responsibly and maintain high ethical standards.

SAFEGUARDING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Save the Children is committed to safeguarding children and expects all staff to comply with its child safeguarding, anti-harassment, health and safety, equal opportunities and diversity policies.

The recruitment process includes rigorous background checks.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

20 October 2026 at 16:33

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should review the full job description and submit their application through the official Save the Children recruitment portal.

APPLY HERE