Programme Manager - South Sudan

Programme Manager

Stationed in Aweil Town,

Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG), South Sudan

Introduction

Danish Refugee Council / Danish Demining Group (DRC DDG) is a humanitarian non-governmental organisation founded in 1956 currently working in more than 30 countries worldwide. DRC DDG has worked in South Sudan since 2005 providing humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced people, to communities threatened by land mines and unexploded ordnances and Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) through conflict sensitivity and safe weapons storage.

Purpose of the post

The Programme Manager (PM) is responsible for the overall development and implementation of programme activities pertaining to returning and displacement affected populations. In addition the PM ensures effective liaison and integrated planning with the Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) team. The PM has the responsibility for the management of the DRC offices in NBeG and Warrap to ensure compliance to finance, logistics, procurement and human resources through the management of support staff and international project managers.

The PM is part of DRC South Sudan Senior Management Team and reports to the Head of Programmes (DRC).

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been present in South Sudan since 2005. DRC DDG merged operations in 2012 with current (2013) DRC DDG operations in 6 States (Western and Eastern Equatorials, Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBEG), Warrap, Unity and Upper Nile). Following the development of return patterns for refugees and IDPs in South Sudan DRC developed its interventions in Northern Bhar el Ghazal State and neighbouring Warrap state.

The overall objective for DRC in NBeG and Warrap states is the protection and promotion of durable solutions for returnees and displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. The immediate objectives focus on the immediate subsistence needs, livelihoods including agricultural development, and self-reliance support as well as a long term focus on capacity building and sustainable solutions. The interventions include non-food item distribution, agricultural income generation and livelihood support, infrastructure, protection, and various capacity building initiatives with duty bearers and local stakeholders. The Armed Violence Reduction Team also based in Aweil carries out community driven community safety planning and initiatives of capacity building and support with duty-bearers in order to mitigate conflict. The current strategic planning cycle 2014 – 2016 indicates greater integration of DRC DDG led activities.

DRC is a rights-based organisation and a member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) and therefore committed to documenting our accountability to the beneficiary population and the impact of our activities. DRC adopts a community-based approach, where beneficiaries and local authorities are included in the prioritising, planning and implementation of activities as an important measure of rehabilitation and capacity building.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Programme Manager has overall responsibility for implementation of DRC’s projects in NBEG and Warrap State (the “Area of Operation”). The Programme Manager also has responsibility for the management of the Aweil base and satellite offices.

Specific responsibilities include:

Finance, Logistics, Administration and Human Resource Management

• Ensuring that DRC’s procedures (Operations Handbook as adapted to South Sudan context and laws), policies and regulations are fully implemented in the Area of Operation;
• Ensuring financial oversight (i.e. procedures are being followed), that cash books are kept updated and sent to Juba in accordance with the agreed timetables and that records are being properly kept;
• Ensuring that support costs for the Area of Operation are correctly budgeted and properly spent. The Programme Manager will be fully responsible for the support costs part of the programme budgets and also responsible for oversight of the programme parts of the budget (anticipating and supporting Project Managers to do revisions as necessary); • Ensuring that in relation to staff recruitment, supervision and discipline, all procedures are respected. The Programme Manager will take the lead in all staff disciplinary matters. • Ensure Performance Appraisal is implemented and assess staff capacities and provide/recommend training and coaching to increase technical skills. • Ensuring that resources are identified and planned in order to support programmatic operations, including procurement done according to plan. • Ensuring that anti-corruption measures are in place and are being implemented.

Representation and coordination responsibilities

• Representing DRC in the area of operation • Ensuring coordination and good collaboration with all actors, including local partners and authorities, as well as other donors and humanitarian actors in the area

Programme Management

• Oversee the implementation of all project commitments primarily through the management of international project managers. • Ensure the rights based approach and protection methodologies are mainstreamed in all sectors and areas of operation. • Ensure routine planning and timely internal reports are done for all grants (DANIDA and EC plus any new proposals), including short term and annual/project action plans • Ensure all donor requirements (e.g. reporting, budgeting, monitoring and evaluations, financial and logistical procedures) are being met. • Overall responsibility for program quality, including developing and implementing an appropriate plan for monitoring and evaluating programmes and ensuring field monitoring of project sites.

Strategic Planning and Programme Development

• Oversee and conduct strategic planning for the local programme and contribute to DRC DDG South Sudan programme, including identifying opportunities for new projects • Assist in the development and formulation of project proposals, concept papers and budgets in accordance with DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (e.g. Code of Conduct, DRC Operational Handbook and DRC Programme Manual) • Ensure routine contact with beneficiaries, target groups and representatives/authorities are conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner for information, coordination, feedback etc. • Support the South Sudan country programme to improve and develop logistics, admin, finance and human resources procedures and policies at a national level.

Security

• Ensure that appropriate information regarding security in the area is collected, analysed and shared • Security planning, including development and regular updating of security and evacuation plans and measures for the area, as well as implementation of contingency plan • Ensure that security incidents are reported to the CD, local NGO security bodies and (as relevant) DRC HQ.

Fundraising

• Under the leadership of the Head of Programme DRC and Country Director take part in applying for funding and broadening of the funding base for DRC NBeG and Warrap States.

Accountability

• Guided by the DRC Programme Manual, continuously monitor programme quality and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthen the effort to document the impact of activities and DRC presence.

Qualifications

DRC invites qualified applicants meeting the requirements listed below. You will require management and technical/hands-on experience in managing budgets and programmes, be very familiar with humanitarian principles and practices, and able to represent an international organisation both internally and externally partners and authorities.

The applicant must have experience from operating in a volatile security environment and be able to operate within distance management model. H/she must have a good and operative insight into financial management and procurement principles and be active in budget and expenditure planning and control.

In addition

• At least 5 years work experience within humanitarian/development work • Experience in donor liaison, fundraising and networking. Experience of managing major donors grants including EC, USAid, DfID/UKAid etc. is a distinct advantage. • Management experience of a humanitarian operation in a volatile security environment • Solid experience in the oversight of multiple sector projects • Excellent capacity in administration, financial and human resource management • Very strong negotiation, advocacy and communication skills in a very sensitive environment • Fluency in written and spoken English • Preferably working experience from African countries.

Conditions

Availability: By 15th December 2013

Duty station: Aweil, South Sudan. Accommodation is a shared staff compound is provided.

Contract: 12 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position is offered at salary level A9.

Further information

You are welcome to contact the Head of Sudan & South Sudan Unit, Scott Tind Simmons atscott.tind.simmons@drc.dk For general information about the Danish Refugee Council and Danish Demining Group, please consult www.drc.dk and www.danishdemininggroup.dk

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.

How to apply:

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV will be considered. Please provide references, but do not attach any written recommendations until requested to do so.

Please submit your application and CV in English and marked “Programme Manager – South Sudan” no later 21st October 2013. CV-only applications will not be considered. Please note that applications are not to be sent to Mr. Tind Simmons. We only accept applications sent via our online recruitment system on www.drc.dk under About DRC/Vacancies/Current vacancies/Programme Manager – South Sudan.

Applications sent directly to Mr. Tind Simmons will not be considered.

Problems with on-line application?

Please inform us via job@drc.dk, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.