South Sudan: Livelihoods Manager

Mar 28, 2019 | Danish Refugee Council
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The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries through-out the world, including South Sudan. DRC/DDG fulfills its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. Under its mandate, the organization focuses on emergency humanitarian response, rehabilitation, post-conflict recovery and humanitarian mine-action.

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in conjunction with Danish Demining Group (DDG) has been operating in South Sudan since 2005 initially concentrating on providing safe and supportive conditions for refugees returning from neighboring countries after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed.

In 2012 - 2013, DRC opened its operations in Upper Nile and Unity States to respond to the large influx of refugees coming from Blue Nile State and South Kordofan (Sudan). In addition to the refugee response and since 2014, DRC has been then actively engaged in responding to the humanitarian needs of IDPs affected by the internal conflict through the provision of integrated approaches.

With a total of 430 national staff, 50 expatriate staff and an annual budget of approximately USD 20 million, we are currently implementing multi-sectorial interventions through the provision of humanitarian services focused on CCCM, Protection, SGBV, FSL, Shelter and Infrastructure to both internally displaced persons and refugees across 5 field sites (Ajuong Thok, Bentiu, Maban, Malakal and Aburoc).

Purpose of the post

Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager and with technical support from the Livelihoods Coordinator, the Livelihoods Manager will be responsible for the implementation of DRC’s Livelihoods activities and contributes to strategic planning for the program in Unity State. The Livelihoods Manager is the direct supervisor of national program staff and provides daily direction and guidance to project cycle management, proposal development and implementation of activities. The job involved working with vulnerable households to providing the means to improve and secure food production. Responsibilities include developing new projects (in coordination with the Grants Management Coordinator, Livelihoods Coordinator and Area Manager), supervising project staff, overseeing project implementation and management, leading on reporting, and working closely with government counterparts. The Livelihoods Manager is also responsible for ensuring the implementation of good quality food security and livelihoods program activities and also involves identifying gaps and advising on the necessary steps to address the identified gaps. The Livelihoods Manager is also responsible for providing technical oversight and training to field-based program staff in the area of Livelihoods, with an emphasis on national staff capacity building. The Livelihoods Manager will collaborate with the FSL Cluster in Unity State and whenever appropriate collaborate with other FSL and humanitarian actors in his/her area of operation.

Responsibilities

To achieve the objectives of the position, the Livelihoods Manager will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities:

Coordination/Representation:

  • Actively participate and represent DRC in coordination meetings such as FSL clusters, other meetings conducted by local and state authorities, UN agencies and stakeholders when relevant to FSL issues
  • Identify gaps in service provision to IDPs, proactively referring those gaps to relevant forums or advocating with government authorities or humanitarian partners for additional support

Program Management

  • Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager and in coordination with the Livelihoods Coordinator plan, manage and implement all livelihoods activities as defined by project documents/proposals. Uphold rigorous project cycle management standards at the field site level in compliance with DRC and donor regulations
  • Supervise and guide Livelihoods Officers and other staff throughout the planning and implementation of FSL responses and project activities
  • Support, facilitate or undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, Humanitarian partners and funding Donors, partners and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation
  • Contribute and support effective monitoring, evaluation and learning processes and initiatives, and ensure effective data and information management.
  • Ensure daily monitoring and progress of project/work implementation. Ensure protections issues are incorporated and mainstreamed in livelihoods activities

Finance and Administration:

  • Ensure full compliance with DRC and donor financial guidelines and policies while managing the project(s).
  • Monitor budgets to ensure the timely utilization of all resources, spending is in line with project timelines and implementation schedules and adjust budget forecasts when needed.

Human Resources:

  • Ensure that adequate staffing is in place for the activities, including an appropriate gender balance within the teams. Performance management of livelihoods team including setting team and individual objectives, providing capacity building, feedback, coaching to the team to achieve targets
  • Make sure that team is aware of humanitarian principles, standards and code of conduct and follow them accordingly

Proposal Development/Reporting

  • Provide regular updates on progress to supervisors and other team members, including other departments and sectors as appropriate
  • Responsible to provide input and/or prepare project progress reports, donor reports, Cluster reports as per given deadlines and as necessary
  • Develop concept notes and/or proposals and budgets in close cooperation with the Area Manager, livelihoods Coordinator and Grants Management Coordinator when required
  • Contribute to the strategic direction of the country livelihoods operation through participation in strategy planning meetings and developing strategic documents

Logistics, Procurement, Safety and Security

  • Develop supply/procurement plans for protection program activities and coordinate with the Ajuong Thok-based Logistics personnel for their delivery to the field as per project planning.
  • Ensure staff compliance with security management rules and procedures (for i.e. ensuring relevant documentation and procedures are understood and adhered to by staff).
  • Implementation of Livelihoods responses and project activities

Experience and technical competencies

  • At least 4 years’ experience in food security programming including but not limited to vocational trainings, agricultural, livelihood support and Natural Resource Management in post conflict and volatile security environments;
  • Minimum undergraduate degree in agriculture, agribusiness, social sciences, international development or equivalent degree qualifications (masters level preferred);
  • At least 4 years’ experience in food security programming including but not limited to vocational trainings, agricultural, livelihood support and Natural Resource Management in post conflict and volatile security environments;
  • Minimum 3 years’ solid experience in project cycle management, including project design, proposal writing, project implementation, budget management and donor reporting;
  • Proven experience of preparing project proposals and log frames for FSL projects for donors;
  • Experience with different donors i.e. EC, BPRM, UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA, FAO, and Danida preferred;
  • Proven experience in conducting food security & livelihoods assessments;
  • Experience in managing Vocational Training Centres, Income Generating Activities (IGAs), Life-skills, Literacy & Numeracy skills training;
  • An understanding of Natural Resources Management, tree seedling establishment, Energy and other environmental protection related programmes;
  • Design and coordination of graduating Artisans resettlement programmes including apprenticeships, On Job Training, business skills development/training, financial management, records keeping, group formation and dynamics, business plan development, start-up kits (in kind and cash grants) and market linkages.
  • Knowledge and experience in establishment of Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLAs) and cooperatives at grassroots level;
  • Experience in coordinating FSL activities in emergency recovery, camp settings and out of camps settings;
  • Experience in coordinating activities across locations;
  • Experience in emergency seeds, fishing and tools distribution; cropping calendar application and tracking, kitchen gardening, Farmer Field School Approach, demonstration/trial garden establishment, Seed multiplication and post-harvest management;
  • Demonstrated experience in meeting high, evidence-based monitoring and evaluation standards; designing and using tools for monitoring programme activities and achievements against the LFA; A good understanding of data entry, clean up, analysis and reporting; application of lessons learnt/best practices, preparation and posting of success stories.
  • Proven experience in staff and other stakeholder’s capacity building, coaching and mentorship, including preparation of materials/manuals, facilitation and roll out of a training plan/calendar;
  • Ability for rapid analysis of very complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication and ease in managing a multi-ethnic team;
  • Application of computer and IT skills
  • Strong communication and writing skills;
  • Good team leadership and conflict resolution skills, consensus team building, and adaptability;
  • Patience and understanding to work with and develop capacity of national staff;
  • Experience delivering programmes to tight deadlines;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision;
  • Experience working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset. Fluency in written and spoken English language;
  • Ability and willingness to work in remote and isolated location with ever changing security scenarios
  • Prior experience in South Sudan an added advantage.

Stakeholders

  • Refugees and host community
  • Government authorities (Ministry of Education and Forestry and Agriculture)
  • UNHCR, CRA and other humanitarian partners