CAREER OPPORTUNITY FOR SENIOR PROGRAMME OFFICER
CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (CDD WEST AFRICA)
Building Democracy and Peace Across West Africa
CAREER OPPORTUNITY: SENIOR PROGRAMME OFFICER
Organization: Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa)
Location: FCT Abuja (with field offices within and outside Nigeria)
Job Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Head of Programmes
Remuneration: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications, experience, and CDD West Africa’s approved pay structure.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2026
ABOUT CDD WEST AFRICA
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan “think and do tank” operating across West Africa. We provide strategic analysis, project management, technical advisory support, capacity strengthening, and advocacy in democratic and economic governance, human rights, peacebuilding, security sector transformation, and sustainable development.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Senior Programme Officer will support the Head of Programmes in leading project teams, strengthening delivery systems, driving resource mobilization, and ensuring that all interventions are evidence-based, high-impact, and fully aligned with CDD West Africa’s strategic objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Leadership & Planning: Assist leadership in setting priorities, managing internal communication, and maintaining strategic alignment across projects.
Project Management: Lead assigned projects end-to-end—from design and implementation to reporting—ensuring timely, compliant, and high-quality delivery within approved budgets and workplans.
Resource Mobilization: Drive fundraising efforts by designing concept notes, proposals, budgets, workplans, and donor engagement strategies.
Technical Quality Assurance: Provide expert guidance, supervision, and quality control to staff, external consultants, and regional partners.
MEL & Research Integration: Strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Research through rigorous data analysis, documentation, publications, and adaptive management.
Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain key partnerships with government bodies, civil society organizations, development partners, researchers, and local communities.
Representation: Represent CDD West Africa at high-level meetings, policy dialogues, workshops, and public engagements as delegated.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education
Required: Master’s Degree in Political Science, Political Sociology, Development Studies, Public Policy, Law, International Relations, Governance, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related discipline.
Added Advantage: Advanced degree or professional certification in Programme/Project Management.
Experience & Competencies
Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in programme design, democratic governance, public policy, international development, budgeting, resource mobilization, and donor reporting.
Technical Skills: Strong analytical, research, policy writing, stakeholder management, and results-based reporting capabilities.
Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex governance issues into clear, accessible insights for diverse audiences.
Languages: Proficiency in French and/or Portuguese is an added advantage.
Core Qualities: Proven practical programme management track record, sound professional judgment, collaborative mindset, and strong execution capabilities.
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Timely and well-coordinated programme execution aligned with agreed timelines.
High-quality proposals, donor products, and comprehensive progress reports.
Strengthened compliance, documentation, and internal team accountability.
Enhanced donor confidence and strategic positioning of CDD West Africa.
Increased institutional visibility via policy briefs, media engagements, and knowledge products.
Routine integration of evidence and institutional learning into programme design.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a complete application package consisting of:
A tailored Cover Letter
An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Contact details for three (3) professional referees
Email Address: recruitment@cddwestafrica.org
Email Subject Line: Senior Programme Officer
Note: Only complete applications received on or before September 15, 2026, will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.
