Project Director

Project Director

The Project Director provides overall strategic and operational leadership for the NiWEMA Scale-Up Programme, bearing full accountability for the successful delivery of its commitment to reach 750,000 female-led micro and small enterprise participants and create 975,000 jobs over five years. The programme operates across two delivery modalities: an LMS-based online cohort model (40% of participants) and physical training delivered by EDC and implementing partners (60% of participants).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for the full NiWEMA programme across both online and physical delivery modalities.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the funder, managing the relationship with professionalism, accountability, and transparency.
• Lead and develop the NiWEMA project team including the Finance Director and all Lead roles.
• Oversee the development and execution of annual workplans, budgets, and monitoring frameworks.
• Manage the implementing partner network responsible for physical training delivery.
• Lead the development of a cluster engagement strategy that enables sector-based clusters to participate effectively.
• Oversee risk management across the programme.
• Ensure full compliance with funder requirements, EDC policies, safeguarding standards, and Nigerian regulatory frameworks.
• Champion gender equality, inclusion, and safeguarding principles throughout the programme.
• Represent NiWEMA at high-level external engagements.
• Lead programme learning and adaptation using data from both delivery streams.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in development studies, Business Administration, Project Management, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years' progressive experience in programme or project leadership, with at least 5 years at senior management level.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, donor-funded programmes with both digital and field delivery components, preferably with a women's economic empowerment or enterprise development focus.
• Proven experience managing implementing partner networks in a multi-state or national programme context.
• Strong track record of funder relationship management and results-based reporting at scale.
• Deep understanding of sector-based enterprise clusters and value chain dynamics in the Nigerian context.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification is an advantage.

How to Apply Please submit a cover letter and your CV to niwemaproject@pau.edu.ng, using the Job Title as subject line E.g "Project Director".