PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
In Darfur, Mercy Corps Scotland (MCS) works in close collaboration with other INGOs, national partners and UN agencies to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable populations in the form of water and environmental sanitation services, agriculture and livelihoods, and peace building programs to displaced persons and host communities in South Darfur state. In addition to the work currently taking place in Darfur, MCS is collaborating with a national partner in Blue Nile State (BNS) to implement a joint program to enhance and develop the institutional capacity of national Civil Society Organizations. Furthermore, MCS is seeking to expand programming in BNS and South Kordofan State (SKS) to address gaps related to Food Security, Livelihoods and Water and Sanitation, and other assessed needs, working closely with a range of national partner organizations.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
MCS seeks to recruit a Director of Programs (DOP) to provide the overall leadership and management necessary for the effective implementation and timely delivery of all MCS programs in Sudan. The DOP will provide management oversight, support and mentoring to the Program Managers (PMs) responsible for each respective component of the overall MCS program in Sudan. The DOP will work closely with each of the PMs to ensure each component of the MCS program in Sudan is implemented to the highest standards possible, within the agreed project timeframe and to the approved budget; including all sub grants to MCS Implementing Partners. In this regard, the DOP will facilitate and encourage close coordination and communication between the MCS Finance and Operations Departments, ensuring that this essential two way support and communication mechanism functions effectively.
Additionally, the DOP will work closely with the Country Director (CD) to drive forward the 2013/2014 Sudan strategy that seeks to develop new and innovative programming and build a range of diverse partnerships with national and international actors. The DOP will be a solution holder and proven negotiator able to appropriately manage and enhance essential relationships with key external stakeholders, including those with host Government representatives at both the State and Federal level.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Leadership and Management
- Provide leadership and management oversight for the MCS programming portfolio in Sudan;
- Be a significant participant in the UN/CHF (Common Humanitarian Fund) process and ensure full coordination and communication across the sectors;
- Provide supervision, support and mentoring to the MCS Program Managers responsible for the individual components of the MCS program;
- Conduct field based monitoring of activities in Darfur to ensure that all program activities are being implemented as per the agreed work schedule;
- Work closely with the Finance Manager (FM) and PMs to review monthly budget versus actual financial management information to ensure that all program expenditure is on track and does not exceed approved budget variance limits;
- Work with the FM and PMs to ensure the timely and accurate submission of budget realignment requests to program donors as required;
- Ensure that all donor reports are submitted on time and to the highest possible standard;
- Work closely with the Finance Manager, PMs and Operations Manager to ensure that all program procurement is undertaken on a timely basis and is fully compliant with donor regulations;
- Maintain effective monitoring and reporting in conformity with Program and country M&E systems;
- Foster a collaborative team atmosphere which engages and supports all team members;
Strategy and Vision
In partnership with the Country Director:
- Work to further enhance the MCS Program Monitoring Framework and ensure that all essential program and organizational metrics are being adequately captured;
- Develop and write high quality proposals to submit to USAID/OFDA, EU/ECHO, UN/CHF, private, institutional and other donors. This will include organizing field assessments and subsequent writing of the proposals;
- Work collaboratively to build a range of mutually beneficial partnerships with other stakeholders both national and international;
- Ensure the continued maintenance of a positive and open working relationship with host Government representatives at both the State and Federal level;
- Develop and implement a strategy to promote local NGO partnerships and develop a framework for national partner identification and selection and subsequent support, mentoring and oversight;
- Identify suitable opportunities to develop new and innovative programming and to secure the necessary funding to drive this forward;
- Identify strategically important Program niches, which will require an understanding of Mercy Corps’ ethos, a comprehensive assessment of current development situation in Sudan, prioritizing geographic areas, and developing Program strategies to respond to critical community level needs;
Additional duties:
- Deputize for the CD, as required;
- Other duties as reasonably requested.
Organizational Learning
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Peace Building Program Manager, Livelihoods Program Manager & Civil Society Program Manager
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director - Sudan
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance Manager, Operations Manager and field offices
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- B.A/S in relevant social sciences or natural resource based discipline – M.A/S is preferred
- Demonstrated experience successfully managing refugee or IDP-based projects;
- 5-7 years direct project management and/or coordination experience in a relief or development context;
- Proven experience in conflict situations;
- Demonstrated knowledge of USAID, European Commission and U.N. agency regulations and 5 years’ experience managing Programs compliant with these regulations;
- Proven experience managing multiple budgets from different funding sources and with different donor regulations;
- Experience with security management in remote insecure environments;
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGOs and UN agencies;
- Proven experience in managing WASH or agriculture/livelihoods assistance programs in emergency/early recovery settings;
- Strong team leadership capacity including remote management experience is a plus;
- Sound knowledge of Humanitarian law and protection principles. Experience with monitoring and protection of rights under the protocols of international Humanitarian law, the Red Cross Code of Conduct, and SPHERE;
- Fluency in English written and oral communication required; Arabic language skills preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills and excellent program delivery skills derived from first hand implementation experience in the field. This candidate will bring to the role the combined ability to think strategically, whilst simultaneously ensuring that the key details of program implementation are fully attended to. The successful candidate will be a natural problem solver, able to adapt quickly and effectively to change in the external operating environment. Clear commitment to building an open and inclusive team that values learning, mutual accountability and two way support is crucial to this role.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Khartoum; Khartoum is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partners and/or families. Travel to Darfur and other Program sites is up to 50%.
Located at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile Rivers, Khartoum is one of the more modern cities in Central Africa. Khartoum is one of the safest cities in Africa and it has a large international community. The climate is hot and dusty. Individual housing options with most modern conveniences available provide for a comfortable living environment. There are both reputable international school and private health services. There are clinics which serve the international community in Khartoum.
Conditions in Darfur and other Program areas are harsh and insecure. The accommodations are group housing with shared expenses for meals. Mercy Corps pays for the housing, furnishings, cooking (but not the food) and cleaning staff. Medical attention is available through international medical organizations also working in the area. There are clinics which serve the international community in Khartoum. During the rainy season, malaria is prevalent. Significant travel is required between the three Program sites of South Darfur and new locations may be added. Travel to all Program areas, and within Darfur is primarily by air.
MC Scotland Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
How to apply:
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