Humanitarian Program Director

**Contingent upon Donor Funding**

Maiduguri, Nigeria

Position Status:

Full-time

Risk Level:

☐

Level 3

☐

Level 2

☐

Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

About Prosper Global

Barely enough is not enough for anyone. Prosper Global is a humanitarian organization working alongside communities facing conflict, climate change, and economic hardship to meet urgent needs and create the conditions for lasting progress. Today's challenges demand new solutions, so we pair local knowledge with global resources to help communities build what's needed, test what's possible, and scale what's proven so that people everywhere can pursue a full life on their own terms. In 2026, we changed our name from Mercy Corps to Prosper Global, to reflect our belief that when every community can prosper, all of humanity moves forward.

The Program

Summary

Prosper Global Nigeria implements a diverse portfolio of humanitarian and resilience programs addressing the needs of vulnerable populations affected by conflict, displacement, food insecurity and climate-related shocks. Mercy Corps’ work spans multiple sectors including food security, water security, livelihoods, governance, and peacebuilding.

The humanitarian portfolio focuses on delivering timely and effective emergency response and early recovery programming while building pathways toward resilience and sustainable recovery for crisis-affected communities.

The Position:

The Programs Director – Humanitarian provides strategic leadership and oversight of Prosper Global Nigeria’s humanitarian programming portfolio. The role is responsible for driving the expansion and quality of humanitarian interventions across the country, ensuring timely, effective, and principled response to crises affecting vulnerable populations.

Working closely with the Country Director and senior leadership team, the Programs Director will guide strategic positioning for humanitarian funding opportunities, strengthen donor engagement with key humanitarian donors, and ensure Prosper Global maintains a strong reputation for delivering high-impact humanitarian programs.

The position will also lead efforts to capture and showcase Mercy Corps’ learning, innovation and impact in humanitarian programming, strengthening evidence generation and thought leadership within the humanitarian sector.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

Provide strategic leadership for Prosper Global Nigeria’s humanitarian programming portfolio across emergency response, early recovery and resilience programming.

Identify emerging humanitarian needs, crisis trends and funding opportunities to expand Mercy Corps’ humanitarian footprint in Nigeria.

Lead the development of humanitarian response strategies, operational plans and program priorities in alignment with Mercy Corps’ global and country strategies.

Work closely with the Country Director and senior leadership team to ensure strong integration between humanitarian response and long-term development programming.

Promote adaptive management and evidence-based decision making to ensure humanitarian programs remain responsive to changing contexts.

HUMANITARIAN DONOR ENGAGEMENT & RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

Provide strategic leadership for engagement with humanitarian funding partners, strengthening partnerships, positioning, and resource mobilization.

Strengthen Prosper Global Nigeria’s positioning for humanitarian funding opportunities through proactive donor engagement and relationship building.

Provide strategic leadership in the development of high-quality humanitarian proposals, concept notes and program design initiatives.

Build and maintain strong partnerships with national and international NGOs, UN agencies, government actors and private sector partners to expand Mercy Corps’ humanitarian programming.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & QUALITY

Provide overall leadership to ensure humanitarian programs are implemented effectively, on time and on budget while meeting Prosper Global program quality standards.

Ensure programs adhere to humanitarian principles and standards including Sphere Standards, Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), and Prosper Global program quality frameworks.

Oversee program performance monitoring, learning and adaptive management processes to ensure programs achieve intended impact.

Strengthening coordination and integration across humanitarian programs implemented in multiple sectors and geographic areas.

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

Ensure effective and transparent management of humanitarian program resources in full compliance with Prosper Global policies, donor regulations, and applicable government requirements.

Work closely with Finance and Operations teams to ensure strong budget planning, forecasting, and financial oversight across the humanitarian portfolio.

Monitor program spending and financial performance to ensure efficient use of resources and alignment with approved budgets.

Ensure compliance with donor requirements and reporting standards for humanitarian funding streams (e.g., US DoS, ECHO, UN agencies, and foundations).

Support program teams to understand and adhere to donor compliance requirements, including procurement, sub-award management, and financial reporting.

Ensure timely and accurate financial and narrative reporting in collaboration with finance, grants, and program teams.

Promote strong coordination between program, finance, and operations teams to ensure effective program implementation and compliance with Prosper Global standards.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Lead the systematic capture, documentation and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices from Prosper Global humanitarian programming.

Promote evidence generation and learning to strengthen Mercy Corps’ thought leadership in humanitarian response and resilience programming.

Work closely with the communications and program quality teams to develop learning briefs, case studies, impact stories and knowledge products showcasing Mercy Corps’ humanitarian work.

REPRESENTATION & COORDINATION

Represent Prosper Global in key humanitarian coordination platforms including clusters, inter-agency working groups and donor coordination forums.

Build strong relationships with humanitarian actors, government stakeholders and development partners to strengthen collaboration and coordination.

Promote Mercy Corps’ leadership and visibility within the humanitarian community in Nigeria.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical support to senior program staff and field teams implementing humanitarian programs.

Strengthen the capacity of national staff and partners to design and deliver high-quality humanitarian programming.

Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning, and professional development across the humanitarian program team.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

Practices the values of Mercy Corps, including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms, e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

Senior Program Manager, Emergency Response start-up manager, PaQ Director, WASH Technical Advisor

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director

Works Directly With:

Senior Management Team, Human Resources Department, Operations, Finance, Regional Technical Advisors, Global Humanitarian Teams, and External Partners.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Prosper Globalteam members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

Master’s degree in international development, humanitarian studies, or related field.

Minimum 10 years of experience in humanitarian programming, including senior leadership roles in complex and insecure environments.

Demonstrated experience managing large-scale humanitarian programs funded by donors such as US DoS, ECHO, or UN agencies.

Proven track record in humanitarian proposal development and donor engagement.

Strong understanding of humanitarian coordination systems and standards (Sphere, CHS, humanitarian clusters).

Excellent leadership, strategic planning, and team management skills.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong strategic leadership in complex humanitarian environments and the ability to anticipate emerging crises and position Prosper Global for effective response. The role requires a collaborative and solutions-oriented leader who can build strong partnerships with donors, government, and humanitarian actors while supporting high-performing teams. Strong communication, diplomacy, and decision-making skills are essential for success.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This is an unaccompanied position based in Maiduguri, Borno State. The position holder will reside in shared staff housing in accordance with Prosper Global policies. Living conditions are basic but functional, with access to essential amenities, health services (including medical evacuation options), internet, and mobile connectivity.

Maiduguri is a high-risk operational environment. Travel to operational areas is required and is conducted primarily via UNHAS scheduled flights in line with security protocols. All movements are closely coordinated and monitored by the country security team, and strict adherence to security procedures is mandatory.

Prosper Globalteam members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respecting local laws, customs, and Prosper Global policies always. Prosper Global is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Prosper Global is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

Summary by Impactpool

The Humanitarian Program Director at Prosper Global Nigeria will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the organization's humanitarian programming portfolio. This role involves driving the expansion and quality of humanitarian interventions, ensuring effective responses to crises affecting vulnerable populations. The director will engage with donors, develop high-quality proposals, and maintain strong partnerships with various stakeholders. Additionally, the position requires promoting evidence generation and thought leadership within the humanitarian sector.

Candidate Requirements:

Master’s degree in international development or related field

Minimum 10 years of experience in humanitarian programming

Experience managing large-scale humanitarian programs

Proven track record in humanitarian proposal development

Strong understanding of humanitarian coordination systems

Excellent leadership and team management skills

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Humanitarian Program Director

Mercy Corps

Maiduguri

Both national and international

Executive level

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