Description

Job Description
Location: Lagos/Nigeria (60% office, 40% remote, 3 out of 5 days in the office)

Reports To: Managing Partner

Experience: 10-12 years

Industry: Food Systems / Development / Consulting

Position Summary:

Food Health Systems Advisory is a management consulting and business advisory firm providing top-tier advisory and technical services to philanthropic foundations, international organisations, donors, governments, non-profits, and corporations on strategy, policy, and program implementation. We specialise in topics related to food systems, nutrition, agriculture, health, and climate. Our experts work with philanthropic foundations, international organisations, donors, non-profits, investors, and food companies/ corporations focused on sustainable food systems and value addition.

We are seeking a highly experienced and results-driven Senior Manager, Program Delivery to lead the end-to-end design, implementation, and management of complex, high-impact programs across our portfolio. This role is responsible for translating strategy into action by ensuring efficient and high-quality program delivery, while also identifying new program opportunities and designing innovative solutions that drive systemic change in food systems and related sectors.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in program execution, budgeting, operations, and cross-functional team leadership, with a proven ability to manage donor expectations and deliver results in dynamic development contexts.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Implementation & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of programs, from startup through implementation to close-out.
• Develop and manage comprehensive workplans, budgets, and implementation frameworks aligned with project goals and donor expectations.
• Ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope and budget, with measurable results and strong field-level execution.
• Build and maintain effective operational systems to support delivery, risk management, and performance tracking.

Program Design & Development

• Design new programs and technical approaches in line with organizational priorities and partner needs.
• Work with internal teams to identify emerging opportunities, assess program feasibility, and create new initiatives aligned with FHSA's mission.
• Translate strategy into actionable delivery plans, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), staffing, timelines, and KPIs.

Budget & Financial Management

• Oversee program budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with donor guidelines and internal policies.
• Track program expenditures against budgets, proactively managing variances and ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with finance and operations teams to ensure transparency, compliance, and accurate reporting.

Stakeholder & Team Management

• Serve as a key liaison for program partners, including donors, governments, NGOs, and private sector entities.
• Manage and mentor cross-functional and field-based teams, fostering high performance and accountability.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate seamless program delivery.

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning

• Collaborate with the MEL team to define indicators, monitor progress, and capture learning throughout the program lifecycle.
• Integrate adaptive management practices and promote evidence-based decision-making in all phases of delivery.
• Contribute to internal and external reporting, donor updates, learning briefs, and case studies.

Strategic Input & Organizational Growth

• Contribute to business development efforts by identifying new funding and partnership opportunities.
• Lead or support proposal writing and pitch development for new programs and initiatives.
• Provide input into FHSA's strategic planning and organizational learning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in agriculture, food systems, nutrition, international development, public health, or a related field.
• 10-12 years of progressive experience in program management and implementation within development, consulting, or donor-funded environments.
• Demonstrated experience in leading the full cycle of program delivery-from design, budgeting, and implementation to monitoring and close-out.
• Proven ability to identify, conceptualize, and launch new programs aligned with sectoral and organizational priorities.
• Strong familiarity with donor-funded project cycles, compliance, and reporting (e.g., BMGF, USAID, FCDO, etc.).
• Experience working in Africa or other LMICs is highly desirable.

Key Skills and Attributes:

• Strong leadership and operational execution skills.
• Excellent budgeting, planning, and financial oversight abilities.
• Effective communicator, both written and verbal.
• Adaptable and resourceful in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Strategic thinker with a problem-solving mindset.
• Committed to team development, inclusion, and collaboration.
• Growth-oriented and skilled in spotting opportunities, building partnerships, and crafting winning proposals.