Sudan: Country Programs Manager

Jun 8, 2017 | United Methodist Church on Relief (UMCOR)
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PURPOSE: The Country Programs Manager plays an important role in the United Methodist Church on Relief (UMCOR) Sudan’s field management structure. UMCOR-NGO’s program areas in the Sudan focuses primarily in the field of emergency relief and transitional development, which included but not limited to the following sectors; Water and Sanitation, Food Security/Livelihoods, Education/Child Protection, Shelter Construction, Peace Building and Community Development. The position is based in Darfur, Sudan. The contract is for twelve (12) months.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Country Programs Manager will be responsible for the overall direction and management of field operations in Darfur and other locations, if appropriate. He / She serves as coordinator and liaison with other partners,  donors and the Government representatives, UN, National & International NGOs:

  •   Manage and guide staff in all related activities in the implementation of UMCOR program and. provide support, through guidance and organization as well as supervision to the field teams to promote quality in project activities.
  •   Represent UMCOR and collaborate, plan and liaise with key local government officials, UN, NGOs and Community members in implementation of program activities.
  •   Represent for monitoring and documenting achievements of project outputs and objectives, ensuring the quality and timely achievement of program objectives.
  •   In conjunction with Sector Managers, develop, document and implement written protocols and standard operating procedures for different UMCOR programs.
  •   Prepare and submit timely internal reports on field activities, detailing the progress and achievement to project outputs and objectives, the challenge faced and how they were tackled and recommendation for subsequent phases. Liaise with Program Development Office, in the preparation of Donor Report.
  •   In conjunction with Program Development Office, participate in need assessment missions with other stakeholders in the area, representing UMCOR in terms of preparation, training, analysis and reporting of findings and recommendations, which includes but not limited to, identification of needs/gaps and their root causes, recommendation of good practices (Strategically Optional Solution) to improve the situation as and when required.
  •   Monitor and assess project progress and activities, and take corrective or alternative action for Programme improvement and success.
  •   Plan/lead and participate in various assessment and stakeholder analysis pertinent to program areas under consideration which will include UMCOR’s sector priorities for Sudan.
  •   Actively purse new funding opportunities; in collaboration with Sector Managers, design and develop concept papers and proposals that address the emergency, transition and development needs of conflict affected communities in the region.
  •   Manage projects assets and budget management tracking (by sector) and enhance the reporting system to meet the donor’s requirements. Liaise with Finance Director in monitoring program expenditure to ensure that program activities are in line with allocated budgets.
  •   Represent UMCOR in interagency coordination meetings/forums to foster positive interaction and good working relations with all partners.
  •   Supervise expatriate and key national staff, conduct periodic staff appraisals.
  •   Mentor key national staff to assume overall responsibility for program sector/departments i.e. Deputy Program Manager
  •   Identify staff training needs; organize workshops / seminars as appropriate.
  •   Conduct security assessments and make decisions that enhance safety of UMCOR staff and assets.
  •   Ensure lessons learnt in monitoring and evaluation are captured, capitalized and incorporated into UMCOR programs through systematic supervision, reporting and documentation including exchange of feed on project impact for replication and scaling up.
  •   Assume any other duties as may be assigned by the HOM.

QUALIFICATION & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  •   The position requires a Master Degree in a  social science  or another relevant field.
  •   Minimum five years of progressive field experience managing a multi-sectoral program of emergency, transition and / or development program in rural and remote environments preferably in Africa
  •   Experience working with IDPs / refugees / returnees and local communities to promote community based structures and institutions for self management

KNOWLEDGE

  •   Knowledge of researching and writing proposals and budgets for program development.
  •   Working knowledge and experience of humanitarian principles, SPHERE and UN standards and protocols and procedures related to project management, monitoring and impact evaluation.
  •   Strong representation, negotiation and coordination experience gained from working INGOs and or UN organization

ABILITIES

  •   Must possess strong representation, negotiation and coordination skills, diplomacy and patience.
  •   Strong analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
  •   Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
  •   Team player with good interpersonal and team building skills.
  •   Ability to work in post conflict environment and remote regions with limited resources.
  •   Ability to understand and respect the culture, religious and political environment and to work well with staff and local authorities in a diplomatic manner.