Deputy Executive Director at Alight

Deputy Executive Director

August 2024 | Full time | 40% Flexible / 60% Port Sudan

Hello Hello! So you’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here.

When you Join Alight, you’ll find…

A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.

A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.

An organization that refuses to settle for anything less than delivering human-worthy services.

If you are looking to be part of a living, breathing, ever-changing organization full of disrupters and doers, then read on!

We strive to represent the diverse communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity and those who bring lived experience with displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Alight Sudan & The Role

Alight has been doing critical work – providing health care and clean water, shelter, protection, and economic opportunity to more than 3.5 million people in 17 countries each year.

The Deputy Executive Director is responsible for overseeing co-creation and testing of new innovative program approaches appropriate for the context of Sudan. S/he works closely with and is supported by the program team of more than 700 dedicated staff members, senior leaders, and globally with a team of technical advisors.

The Deputy Executive Director is a key member of the Sudan Leadership Team and, as such, is responsible for leading and supporting the Alight leadership in steering Sudan Enterprise/programming. S/he is responsible for -along with the Sudan Executive Director- maintaining good working relationships with host government officials, donors, peer agencies, and other partners.

New to this role is responsibility for leading the media and communications unit within the Alight Sudan Enterprise.

Responsibilities:

Program Development

Lead all aspects of program development/Co-creation – conceptualizing, design, preparation, revision, submission- ensuring requisite participation of targeted clients, supporters, and partners.
Utilize human-centered development techniques in developing programming based on customer needs.
Lead the integration among Alight key program and business functions to develop business sourcing and financing documents.
Lead the programs team in proactive research and analysis of industry trends, donor strategies, and funding priorities for programming priorities.
Put in place mechanisms for tracking and collecting intelligence on funding opportunities and relevant to Sudan context and Alight’s focus.
Follow up with donors and partners, post business requests to debrief, as well as to disseminate promising practices and lessons.

Reporting

Lead in the design and management of the Sudan programming reports calendar, ensuring staff are prepared, aware, and meet all contractual reporting requirements and deadlines.
Engage real-time beneficiary feedback mechanism – team and information, to identify real-time program improvement and adjustment needs and inform program development.
Conduct comprehensive reviews/edits on all programming reports, briefs, and presentations, ensuring quality and accuracy before dissemination.
Coordinate regular programming sharing, reports, and briefs within and external to the agency.

Leadership

Support the Executive Director in shaping the strategic direction of the Alight Sudan program, ensuring quality programs are designed and implemented.
Energize others, create space for budding leaders at all levels, and mentor the team in the Alight values in actions.
Lead discussions and initiatives on program re/design, expansion with relevant partners, supporters, and government authorities in close consultations with the senior country leadership team.
Actively participate in Senior Leadership Team meetings, contributing to problem-solving and decision-making on policy and strategic direction.
Work collaboratively with senior colleagues across the organization to achieve organizational outcomes.
Conduct performance management, including mentorship, capacity building, and growth planning for direct reports.

Strengthening Alight’s Networking and Coordination

In coordination with the Executive Director, communicate with key actors: donors, host government, international agencies, and I/NGOs on Sudan programming development and execution.
Attend relevant program coordination, briefing, and similar meetings, in coordination with senior program leadership.
In coordination with the program managers, HoP and technical advisors, strengthen Alight’s technical relationships with relevant line Ministries, donors and partners through regular meetings, consultations, and updates on Alight programming.
Facilitate clear and timely links between technical/coordination discussions, ensuring that Alight staff remain informed and adequately prepared for program emergency responses.

Staff Management

Oversee the supervision and effective management of all direct reports while establishing a robust and coordinated Program team.
Implement ALIGHT’s performance management system for direct reports, which includes developing job descriptions, individual performance objectives (IOPs), providing regular feedback, conducting mid-term reviews, and annual performance appraisals.
Proactively address performance issues by offering constructive and honest feedback and coaching.
Identify strategies for staff talent development, career advancement, and succession planning for direct reports. Create an environment that fosters staff development and innovation by providing the necessary space, motivation, and incentives.

Program Strategy

Co create, test and implement a costumers-centered strategy for Alight Sudan’s humanitarian program. Ensure the strategy effectively balances emergency response and long-term development objectives, aligning with the organization’s overarching goals.
Champion the design and execution of human-centered programs and interventions that distinguish Alight Sudan from other humanitarian organizations. Prioritize the empowerment and well-being of affected communities in program planning and implementation.
Actively engage with displaced populations and local communities to incorporate their voices and perspectives into program strategy development. Foster a culture of customer-centricity, ensuring that our initiatives directly address their needs and preferences.
Identify, cultivate, and manage strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and local NGOs. These partnerships should support and promote Alight Sudan’s vision and enhance the impact of our programs.
Encourage innovative thinking and adaptability within the program strategy, staying attuned to evolving humanitarian challenges and emerging trends. Ensure that the strategy remains dynamic and responsive to changing circumstances.

Strengthening Alight’s Networking and Coordination

Attend relevant program coordination, briefing, and similar meetings, in coordination with senior program leadership.
Develop and nurture relationships between Alight, both internally and externally, to optimize collaborative efforts and amplify our impact.
Establish and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, local representatives of multilateral and bilateral donors, foundations, international and national NGOs, and other relevant organizations.
Identify and address issues aimed at strengthening relationships with donors and government entities while at the same time preserving a positive public image and strong visibility for Alight within these stakeholder groups.
Ensure the timely and transparent exchange of information and reports with Alight’s members, donors, government bodies, and other essential partners, maintaining effective communication channels with all key actors.

Media and communications

Develop and execute a comprehensive media and communication strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives, ensuring consistent and strategic messaging across all channels.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers to secure favorable coverage and maximize the organization’s media presence.
Oversee brand identity and reputation, ensuring a unified and positive image through all communication materials, including press releases, social media, and marketing campaigns.
Lead the creation of compelling and engaging content, such as press releases, articles, videos, and social media posts, to effectively convey the organization’s mission and engage target audiences.
Develop crisis communication plans and protocols to manage and respond to unexpected challenges or controversies effectively, maintaining the organization’s reputation and credibility.

Qualifications

These are “must-haves” when you join Alight:

Open heart and open mind. You start by listening. You believe another person’s truth and it changes you. It unlocks your way of thinking in that moment, it opens your world.

Curiosity. You are always learning. You ask why and why again. You know that change (big and small) is constant, which means your curiosity to learn is matched with adaptability to evolve.

Trust. You believe that people do their best, are disciplined, and care about this as much as you do. You take responsibility for your part and know how to step back and give others the space to shine.

We’re also looking for the following technical competencies:

Co creation and strategy development, with past proven experience of customer-engagement, adjusting and adapting to the needs of customers, teams, environments, and ever-changing circumstances, creatively responding to emerging needs and seeking contextually relevant solutions.
Engagement and communication building and maintaining strategic relations. Past proven experience taking lead role or managing a team that leads crisis communications, brand management, marketing, or media strategy for an INGO.
Collaboration skills with past proven experience that demonstrates a sense of initiative and motivation to be part of the solution is essential for disrupting the status quo to improve quality and impact.
Minimum of Bachelors’ degree (Masters’ degree preferred) or higher in Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, etc. or relevant educational background with a strong program design, leadership, and management capabilities.
Minimum of 12 years’ experience in humanitarian work and at least eight (8) years international experience preferably in relief and/or development work, with focus on program design and accountability.
Demonstrated experience in program design, planning and implementation, including proposal writing, budgeting, value for money, and participatory program approaches.
Demonstrated advanced communications, presentation, and inter-personal skills, including fluency in written and spoken English.
Experience working with non-institutional donors and unconventional funding mechanisms.
Experience working with and coordinating with donors including BPRM/US State Department, UN, DFID, AU, EU, and private donors and foundations.
Experience working and coordinating with diverse I/NGOs, Partners and Government agencies.

Benefits

Borderless Team of 2,500 staff worldwide that sees possibility, celebrates moments of abundance, shares new ideas, and strives to do a better thing every day.

Learning & Development – Access thousands of free online learning courses to take at your own pace and tailor to your professional goals.

Health, dental, and MedEvac Insurance – We strive to offer the best-in-class healthcare plans to our staff each year. We cover 100% of the cost for your health premium and 75% of the cost for coverage for your spouse/dependents.

Generous Leave Time – Between general leave and holidays, you have ample opportunity to take time off when you need it.

Alight

We are on a journey to build Alight, a new platform of amazing people and organizations providing lifesaving services and creating breakthrough solutions for and with the displaced. WeAreAlight.org

Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.