Programme Assistant, ESGBV (Abuja, Nigeria)

International IDEA is collaborating with Action Appointments for this recruitment process. Applications should be submitted to https://www.actionappointments.co.za/idea-nigeria-2026

Context

 International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization with 35 member states hailing from different continents around the world. International IDEA aims to support sustainable democracy worldwide, doing so, inter alia, by working with both new and long-established democracies to strengthen the institutions and culture of democracy and enhance the rule of law. Located at the interface of research and practice, International IDEA serves as a forum for dialogue and uses comparative experience and analysis to identify good practices for democracy-building. It also produces knowledge tools and practical guides for democracy support. The Institute maintains a global network of experts, provides training materials, and offers strategic advice to democracy actors at the international, regional, and national levels. The Institute is headquartered in Stockholm with field offices in Africa and West Asia, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

International IDEA will be managing the “EU Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) in Nigeria” programme. This programme aims to reduce Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria by strengthening laws and policies, expanding survivor-centered essential services and driving positive social-norm change. It will ensure that people in all their diversity with particular attention to women, girls and the most vulnerable have their rights promoted and protected from all forms of violence through legislation and effective enforcement, while improving the rule of law, tackling impunity, and enhancing access to justice through a more independent, effective, responsive, transparent and gender-sensitive justice sector. The programme also advances Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The programme will work towards three anticipated Outcomes:

i. facilitate the strengthening, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of key legal and policy frameworks on the prevention of SGBV such as the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition (VAPP) Act, the response to SGBV and the protection of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity;

ii. (ii) improve and expand access to essential services (health, justice, protection and other related services) to recover from experienced violence, especially for survivors from rural communities, conflict-affected communities, persons with disabilities and for victims of technology facilitated GBV; and

iii. (iii) build the capacity of and provide resources to women’s rights organisations, social movements and other civil society organisations to influence and advance progress on promoting favourable social norms to end SGBV.

The Programme Assistant will support the implementation of activities in close collaboration with the Head of Nigeria Programmes NG-FC and relevant Project Managers and colleagues. This includes administrative and logistical support in assuring the delivery of qualitative implementation of activities including research, planning, the organization of events, outreach to key stakeholder, project and activity reporting, and support to data collection and communication.

Duties and Responsibilities

 1. Coordinates, plans and ensures effective administrative and programmatic support to the Head of Nigeria Programmes NG-FC’s office (and other members of the ESGBV project team as required).

2. In coordination with the component managers, monitors and tracks the project implementation time-plan and calendar of key events;

3. Assists in compiling, summarizing, and preparing background materials to support the preparation of project reports and maintains project records and files;

4. Provides regular input to internal coordination and planning, notes for team meetings and other planning documents;

5. Contributes to knowledge production including drafting news articles, programme updates and information briefs; supports internal and external communications related to the ESGBV project, ensuring communication is kept up to date;

6. Supports with the preparation of work plans, activity budgets, and donor financial reports;

7. Supports the development of event budgets, preparing necessary contracting and financial documentation for procurement; Obtains quotations, conducts bid analysis, and prepares procurement documentation for review;

8. Assists with the planning of meetings, events and workshops by providing organizational, administrative, and logistical support;

9. As required, support organization of ESGBV project activities including events, in coordination with the relevant component manager. Ensures all administrative, logistical and basic financial processes are implemented in a timely manner and in conformity with International IDEA and donor policies and procedures;

10. Supports the organization of travel of the staff and consultants, including travel authorizations and travel expense claims;

11. Processes basic procurement transactions in the ERP system and maintains supporting documents including invoices, receipts, cash and bank vouchers and statements in an efficient and timely manner; Assists with monitoring project expenditure;

12. Compiles and verifies all supporting documents for project expenditure reports, in line with International IDEA policies and procedures as well as donor requirements;

13. Contributes information into International IDEA’s existing databases of contacts.

Safeguarding

14. Shares responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom they work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children;

15. Has a shared duty to safeguard from the following conduct by staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, or adults at risk; and any form of trafficking of persons.

General Profile

 • Strong knowledge and skills in planning, coordination, and administration of programme support, acquired through formal training and work experience;

• Can work with minimal guidance and supervision and demonstrates initiative and problem solving skills;

• Adds value to team-based activities in their unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute as required;

• Can be expected to travel to any geographical area involved in their projects;

• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;

• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’ s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;

• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting line

 Head of Nigeria Programmes NG-FC

Education and Experience

• Minimum High School diploma; University background in gender studies, human rights, political science, law, sociology, international relations or other related discipline is considered an advantage;

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant professional experience working in a similar role, within project support and administration and logistical planning, preferably in the field of Gender, Human Rights, Civil Society, Rule of Law, Democracy or Governance;

• Experience in planning and organizing events and travel;

• Experience working with ERP and other software systems is required;

• Experience of working in an international context, e.g. in an intergovernmental organization, considered an advantage;

• Experience of working with donor policies and procedures (including the EU) is considered an advantage.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post.

• Fixed term appointment for two (2) years.

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Nigeria for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

International IDEA is collaborating with Action Appointments for this recruitment process. Applications should be submitted to https://www.actionappointments.co.za/idea-nigeria-2026

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.