PROGRAM MANAGER At World Concern

World Concern is a US-based, Christian humanitarian relief and development organization working in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Established in 1955, World Concern works to alleviate suffering among the poor in developing countries and to address the root causes in each context. World Concern’s primary strategy is community-based, integrated development. World Concern works in multiple-sectors to build the capacity of village-based groups, non-governmental partners and other counterparts to lead and sustain their development. World Concern is committed to best practices of inclusive, participatory and accountable relief and development and maintains rigorous standards of both financial and program monitoring. Program assistance is provided on the basis of need alone, without regard to race, creed or religion.

Position : Program Manager

Country : South Sudan

Reports to : Country Director

Employment Terms : Contract

Purpose/Summary of the responsibilities

South Sudan Program Manager will provide leadership and management of South Sudan integrated programs that cover church engagement, food security, livelihoods and emergency response interventions to achieve World Concern Big Dream/strategic plan. The position holder will be responsible for day to day technical and operational projects support. He will lead the efforts of the organization in; identifying communities and programing opportunities, grant writing/fundraising and implementation of projects throughout the entire project cycle, coordination of activities, management of program staff and other resources, as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation. The position will also take lead in building relationships with key stakeholders in South Sudan. The position reports directly to the Country Director.

Program Development:

• Identify and design programming opportunities into viable projects/programs.
• Oversee the effective set up, implementation and coordination of WC’s projects in the region to ensure the targeted objectives are met.
• Provide administrative, logistical, and technical advice and support to the field teams and ensure rapid response and feedback
• Monitor and analyze the external environment particularly in relation to program areas, and make recommendations as appropriate for interventions
• Manage partner/stakeholders’ relationships to ensure growth of the program
• Ensure effective monitoring & evaluation systems are in place to align with WC objectives of shared learning, improved programming and beneficiary accountability
• Provide well written, informative and timely reports on program activities
• Support the Program teams in the development and implementation of annual and quarterly activity plans using the approved WC and donor formats and standards
• Communicate program goals and objectives with all program stakeholders
• Actively participate in the Country Management Team meetings and activities
• Monitor political and security situations in project areas and ensure appropriate security procedures and measures are in place and being followed.

Fund Raising:

• Grant writing/fundraising- Identify potential programing ideas/opportunities and convert them into clear, concise proposals with corresponding budgets to increase program funding base.
• Ensure all project activities are compliant with the donor and WC requirements/ standards
• Be in-charge of field donors’ visits
• Network with and maintain good working relationships with UN, government agencies, NGO’s and other actors in the country to ensure collaboration and acceptance of WC programs.

Financial and Human Resource Management

• Responsible for budgeting, monitoring and controlling program expenses in consultation with the Country Director
• Ensure there is value for money in all project activities and that project staff are good stewards of the available resources
• Hold staff accountable and ensure World Concern financial policies and procedures are adhered to strictly
• Ensure all projects are using updated Life of Grant (LOG) Framework
• Identify project staff needs, ensure job descriptions are identified, work with Country Director to identify, recruit, orient and manage staff to support World Concern program.
• Manage Program Team with particular emphasis on capacity building of staff through mentoring and training
• Provide management support to direct reports in their management of others, and their implementation of objectives, work plans and budgets.
• Lead and contribute to developing and modeling a team culture characterized by a shared vision, commitment and mutual accountability that reflects WC’s ethos
• Dissemination and guiding staff in use of Procurement, Purchasing, IT, Security and other work facilitation manuals/policies/SOPs

Representation

• Represent WC South Sudan at the relevant state / county l government authorities at regional level, helping to ensure constructive working relationships are maintained to allow expansion, alignment and growth of WC’s transformation development programs within the program area
• Represent WC to other NGOs, and visitors ensuring coordination and attendance at relevant interagency technical, and security coordination networks as necessary at the program area level
• Participate at the relevant cluster coordination activities and meetings to ensure World Concern is actively engaged in all cluster activities
• Act as the voice of influence (advocacy related to development initiatives) to the different relevant authorities, stakeholders on various issues that are of interest to WC at program/cluster area

A. Employment Standards:

1. Minimum skills, education and experience required:

• B.A. / BSC. in development related field (Development Studies, Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, Business Administration, Management, etc.). A master’s degree in related field(s) will be a strong added advantage
• At least 7 years’ previous experience working with an international organization and in multi-cultural setting.
• Proven, successful experience in project/program management and/or development.
• Analytical, able to multi-task and make rapid but sound decisions in a rapidly changing environment, especially under pressure.
• Experience with research and writing, especially in regards to fund-raising, compiling and analyzing financial reports, and grant-writing.
• Above average skills in MS Office Suite
• Willingness to live and work in a stressful environment with security challenges.
• Commitment to accountability to beneficiaries and transparency, showing dignity and respect, and demonstrating listening and understanding skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with local communities and other stake holders
• Flexibility to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Possess analytical and problem-solving skills, risk management skills as well as decision- making skills

2. Core Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking and Planning – ability to set goals, plan objectively and mobilize others to develop and achieve goals. The person is also able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Commitment to World Concern’s values and mission. A commitment to tackling the root causes of poverty and reaching out to highly marginalized people with passion and high degree of tolerance for diversity. A commitment to pray for others is critically important.
• Time Management – ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Result Oriented – a commitment to achieve goals without hurting others by looking for opportunities in the midst of challenges. This requires being proactive and a high sense of intuition
• Personal Integrity and Stewardship– Trustworthy, conscientious, can be relied on to act and speak with consistency and honesty, and have a high degree of financial discipline. Makes the best use of resources while striving for high standards and a balance between effectiveness and efficiency.
• People Management – Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and ensures that neither issues nor people are forgotten or overlooked. Should be able to facilitate others towards finding solutions to issues in a participatory process
• Language – Must demonstrate a professional level of written and verbal English communication skills and eager to learn the local language.
• Cooperation/Teamwork – Works harmoniously with others to get the job done, effectively delegating responsibilities and decision-making authority. Shares critical information with all relevant parties. Seeks opinions and value developing symbiotic relationships. Appropriately facilitates dialogue in decision-making processes.
• Accountability – Welcomes objective evaluation of working relationships and performance of self and others. Has no hidden agendas but is open with information and communicates well both vertically and horizontally
• Security Awareness – Must have proven experience leading a team in a hostile environment with focus to staff safety and security. Able to collect, collaborate, and analyze security information from diverse source to make well-thought out security advice.
• Cross cultural experience: Previous experience or working in conflict or post conflict zone is highly desirable.
• Reflective and value for diversity – maintaining a Christ-like attitude, a learning mind that does not coerce others to accept one’s opinion without compromising his/her authority. Being a good listener and a negotiator.

B. Working Conditions:

• Requires periodic travel to areas of significant insecurity and field travels can involve driving on bad roads, traveling in small planes and frequent encounters with armed militia. Some additional travel to other regions may be required.
• Living conditions in the field may at times be harsh. Limited access in the field to medical care, energy/power, communication network, and other basic facilities.
• May require working extended hours and on weekends/holidays to meet deadlines.
• The working environment will be multi-cultural, multi-faith, and multi-ethnic environment.
• Living in World Concern managed camps and sharing limited facilities with diverse teams