Program Manager, Democracy and Goverance at The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA)

• Yiaga Africa is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Program Manager, Democracy & Governance, to lead its strategic initiatives and projects focused on legislative engagement, electoral integrity, digital democracy, and civic participation.
• This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on the frontlines of democratic development in Nigeria and across Africa.
• The successful candidate will possess deep knowledge of governance and political systems, exceptional program management skills, and the ability to drive impactful engagement with citizens, institutions, and policymakers.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all Democracy & Governance programs, including elections, legislative advocacy, digital democracy, and civic participation.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects to ensure alignment with organizational goals and donor requirements.
• Manage program budgets, workplans, and performance metrics.
• Supervise a team of program officers and ensure quality delivery through mentoring and support.
• Build partnerships with key stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and development partners.
• Represent Yiaga Africa at high-level meetings, forums, and media engagements.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of research, policy briefs, and knowledge products related to democracy and governance.
• Support resource mobilization through proposal development and donor engagement.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting obligations.
• Innovate new program approaches in response to emerging democratic trends and challenges.

• Advanced degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, International Relations, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience working on democracy and governance issues, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Experience managing multi-donor funded projects with demonstrated impact.
• Strong understanding of elections, legislative engagement, civic innovation, and/or digital democracy.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and building partnerships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools.

Competencies:
Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and models the values of Yiaga Africa.
• Promotes the vision and mission of the organization.
• Embraces diversity and inclusion.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s political and governance context.
• Excellent knowledge of global and regional democracy and governance trends.
• Ability to influence policy and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagements.

Managerial Competencies:

• Proven track record in managing people, budgets, and donor-funded projects.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Proficiency in French and/or another Nigerian language is an advantage.