Multi Country Project Manager Soil Values Project

We are SNV
SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our CARE principles—Committed to Impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Differences, and Expertise in Practice—are at the heart of who we are and the work we do. These principles are embedded in our vision, mission, and strategy, which serve as our compass guiding us towards 2030.

To delve deeper into SNV's initiatives, explore our website at snv.org

We are currently looking for a: Multi Country Project Manager Soil Values Project

• 3-year initial national contract
• Fulltime
• Abuja, Nigeria

Overview of the assignment
The Dutch government, through its Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS), has funded a ten-year “Soil Values” programme (2024-2033) in Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Mali. The project is implemented by IFDC (lead of consortium), SNV, and Wageningen University, together with several leading knowledge partners (https://ifdc.org/projects/soil-values/). Soil Values project aims to support the large-scale adoption of proven soil health technologies and approaches, ensuring social inclusion, that improve soil fertility on 2.0 million hectares of arable land for 1.5 million smallholder food producers in 40 watersheds.

The programme seeks to sustainably improve soil health to boost agricultural productivity and resilience, particularly for smallholder farmers in the Sahel, including marginalised groups. It focuses on three main areas: promoting agroecology, developing inclusive markets and finance, and fostering supportive institutional environments. SNV is responsible for integrating community and landscape approaches, combining local knowledge with nature-based and external solutions to improve soil fertility and water conservation through participatory, community-driven watershed management.

Overview of the position
As the Multi-Country Project Manager you will lead the execution and quality of the Project Component – INTEGRATE, a core component of the 10-year Soil Values programme, aimed to contribute to restoring landscapes, strengthening community resilience, and improving soil health across Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Mali.

Based in Abuja, Nigeria, this pivotal role requires a dynamic leader with strong inclusive management skills and a systems-thinking approach to effectively navigate complex, conflict sensitive environments and drive sustainable change, particularly in agroecology and integrated landscape management initiatives.

Reporting to the Director of Country Programmes, you will lead a multi‑country team of component staff and engage with knowledge partners, local implementers, authorities, and IFDC as consortium lead. You will also manage the Multi‑Country Finance and Operations Officer, ensure compliance with the IFDC contract, oversee all component reporting, and collaborate closely with Country Directors and SNV’s Agri‑Food and GESI teams. As a key representative of SNV, you will participate in the IFDC project management team.

Key responsibilities

• Project Leadership and technical oversight of project implementation
  • Provide overall direction of the component, ensuring full compliance with the IFDC contract, and overseeing all component reporting, as well compliance and accountability towards all SNV policies and procedures.
  • Lead overall planning, implementation and management of the INTEGRATE component across four countries, ensuring effective thought leadership of the component team, effective management of financial resources; review and approval of component budgets and monitoring of expenditures; supervising the execution of field operations.
  • Establish structures and procedures for the administration, governance, financial management, human resources, and knowledge management of the component.
  • Ensures the technical quality of the component by owning its content, safeguarding the standard of all deliverables, and securing the sufficient technical input to meet quality standards.
  • Lead adaptively with focus on quality assurance and learning with data and through periodic reflection, consultation and reporting according to (MEL) guidelines of the consortium.
  • Contribute to internal and external knowledge development, through comprehensive documentation and sharing of ideas and results of the component in coordination with country teams and the global team.
  • Offer technical advisory to staff and partners, troubleshoot potential challenges and promote evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement of project delivery.
• Team Leadership and staff development
  • Lead, coach and mentor the diverse component team of eight professionals, promoting a collaborative learning culture with the aim to deliver goals and objectives.
  • Lead performance and staff development to ensure the right skillsets and mindsets across the team to support and enable empowerment.
  • Ensure that staff wellbeing and safety according to SNV code of conduct and related policies.
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership management
  • Serve as the key representative of SNV and participate in the IFDC project management team, fostering a transparent and pro-active relationship through regular updates and consultations.
  • Coordinate and collaborate closely with local implementing partners, government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and consortium partners including IFDC and knowledge partners to ensure strong collaboration and alignment.
  • Proactively build linkages with other initiatives to maximise synergy and scale development outcomes, contributing to SNV’s Agri‑Food System strategic framework.
  • Oversee partner procurement and grant agreements, ensures effective monitoring and evaluation, and maintains quality control of all deliverables within agreed timelines.

Essential Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Rural Development, Livestock development, Pastoralism, Economics, Sociology, Geography or a related field relevant to agri-food systems transformation.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience managing complex, multistakeholder development projects in the agrifood sector—preferably in the Sahel region and in conflict sensitive contexts—with strong added value for candidates who have led multi-county project teams.
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in landscape management, climate‑smart agriculture, natural resource management, and/or agroecology or regenerative agriculture.
• Proven ability to mobilise, inspire, lead and guide multidisciplinary teams, enabling performance and impact through effective planning, delivery oversight, and adaptive management.
• Track record of coaching and developing towards high-performing teams, with a commitment to capability -growth, well-being, and promoting inclusive, value-based leadership.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and donor coordination experience, including successfully aligning public and private sector partnerships for systems-level impact in remote and fragile areas.
• Fluency in French and English, with strong writing and presentation skills in both languages.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in applying good governance principles and cross‑cutting approaches such as adaptive management, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and conflict‑sensitive project management.
• Experience leading through complexity, using evidence-based decision-making, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing to navigate systemic challenges and drive innovation.
• Excellent influencing skills, with experience fostering cross-sector collaboration that results in or exceeds planned scalable and sustainable development results.
• Willingness and ability to travel in insecure contexts.
• Previous experience working in at least one of the Sahel countries.

Additionally, we value  

• Expertise in soil health, agroecology, and/or landscape management.
• Established senior‑level networks within agricultural supply chain companies.
• Knowledge of GIS, spatial planning, or digital platforms.
• Experience working with results‑based management frameworks.

• Type of contract: national contract, full time. This position is open to national applicants and candidates from across the Sahel region
• Initial contract duration: 3 years with possibility of extension
• Location: Abuja, Nigeria, with regular travel to other countries.
• Expected start date: 1st April 2026

Working at SNV 
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority.

We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote (international) career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with external backgrounds and experience. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose.

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

How to apply 
If you meet the key requirements and feel inspired by this opportunity, we warmly welcome your application. Please submit your CV and motivation letter by 1st February 2026 via SmartRecruiters.

To ensure a focused and respectful recruitment process, we kindly ask that you apply only if you meet the essential qualifications and are available to work in the specified location.

If this role isn’t the right fit but you’re interested in joining SNV in the future, we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile.

Reference & vetting check
At SNV, our belief in the CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice — shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all.

As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all internationally determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of [two] referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for.

In line with our safeguarding commitments — and as a proud participant in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will also request a “Statement of Conduct” from your previous employer(s). This request covers any substantiated findings of misconduct, including sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, as defined by the Scheme. This process is not only a safeguard for our organisation, but also part of our shared responsibility to protect those we work with and to ensure that integrity, respect, and compassion remain at the heart of everything we do.