Programme Director – South Sudan at Concern Worldwide

About the role: This is a 24 month role, unaccompanied terms and conditions based in Juba, South Sudan at grade 5 with a salary of € 47,694 – € 52,993. We would like you to start on 1^ST February 2022.

You will report to the Country Director and will line manage Deputy Program Director, Area Coordinator-Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Health and Nutrition Coordinator-Kajo Keji, Nutrition Technical Coordinator, Health Technical Coordinator and will liaise closely with the Program Quality Coordinator, Systems Director, Country Financial Controller, Desk Officer and Sector Advisors

Purpose:

You are a member of the Senior Management Team and will provide leadership and will contribute to effective leadership of the country programme through various strategic and management processes in Concern South Sudan in accordance with the organizational policies and the Country Strategic Plan. You will participate in decision-making on strategic issues including geographical priorities, programme quality, programme development, partnership strategy, partnership selection and other organizational priorities. You will be responsible for effective implementation of all Concern sector programmes including WASH, Shelter/NFI, Food Security and Livelihood, health and nutrition and emergency response in all Concern program locations in South Sudan. You will work closely with Programme Quality Coordinator to ensure effective implementation of Concern’s policies and strategies and delivery of high quality programmes. The Program Director will play a lead role to the implementation of the new Country Strategic Plan (2022 to 2024) and develop programmes in line with the Country Strategic Plan, The Program Director will also work with the Deputy PD, Area Coordinators, Program Coordinators and HR to ensure adequate staff and strengthen capacity of staff and create professional development opportunities. Represent Concern in key external meetings and engage with relevant authorities in South Sudan.

The person will be responsible for:

Senior Management

· Through active participation in the Senior Management Team (SMT), assist the Country Director in overall management, implementation, development and strategic direction of the South Sudan country programme, in line with the Country Strategic Plan;

· Take leadership alongside SMT colleagues to develop, implement and report against the country Accountability Plan, in line with the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability;

· Work with Program Quality Coordinator and Partnership Focal Person to support development and implementation of a Partnership Strategy for the country programmes, ensure effective collaboration with local implementing partners to meet programme objectives and support roll out of capacity building in line with identified needs.

Program Implementation and Funding

· Ensure programmes are designed and implemented in line with Concern Worldwide policies, using a Results-Based Management approach;

· Lead programme design and development including preparation of concept notes and high quality proposals and secure donor funding involving partners.

· Actively guide and support programme staff in identification of new programme interventions and opportunities in accordance with the CSP, How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty and Concern’s Emergency approach;

· Proactively identify and develop relationships with existing and potential donors, and assist the CD in fundraising efforts to maintain and further expand the funding portfolio;

· With Program Quality Coordinator, Grants Manager and Programme Coordinator ensure reports are submitted timely, to high standard, in compliance with donor and internal requirement

Programme Quality, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

· Ensure that all relevant programmes are designed, managed and implemented in conformity with Concern’s policies and strategies, especially the Programme Quality Guide; Follow Concern’s Programme Cycle Management and embed a system of Results Based Management to ensure data analysis, reflection and adaptation.

· With the Deputy Program Director and Program Quality Coordinator, ensure that there is an effective, responsive monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEAL) framework for Concern’ programme; coordinate timely M&E of all programmes (including partner implemented) in line with programme logframes, work plans, budgets.

· Facilitate annual programme reviews and other internal learning events;

· Ensure that cross-cutting issues (primarily equality, protection, conflict sensitivity, ) are given due consideration in programmes and that staff receive regular orientation and training on the same;

· Liaise with Head Office Strategy, Advocacy and Learning (SAL) unit, and engage technical advisors as necessary, to ensure the necessary technical expertise is available to support the programme.

Emergency response:

· Oversee the development and roll out of Preparing for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) plans across the country programme

· Ensure emergency response preparedness plan developed in all offices and response readiness.

· Ensure timely and effective response by Concern and partners team

Financial management

· Working with CFC, oversee programme teams’ development of accurate donor budgets and effective financial management of expenditure in compliance with approved donor budgets and procedures; ensure management accounts are reviewed timely, budget revisions are prepared and submitted on time.

· Preparation of programme budgets collaboratively with programme and finance staff. Track programme expenditure through monthly management and quarterly financial accounts prepared by the finance department.

Partnership and Partners sub-grant management:

· Develop a Concern South Sudan partnership strategy

· Ensure partnership strategy are implemented effectively in all programmes

· Ensure partners grants contracts are managed properly and partner deliver projects and results timely ensuring quality

· Ensure partners capacity assessment and capacity building plans are implemented properly

· Oversee the monitoring of partners’ programme and financial reporting in conjunction with programme managers and finance team

· Undertake appropriate assessments of new partners in conjunction with programme managers and Finance Department when appropriate.

Staff Safety and security

· Ensure programme teams are undertaking regular security analysis of areas of operations and identifying trends that affect staff safety.

· Through line management ensure SOPs are followed and factored into programme plans.

· Participate in the revision of SOPs and other security related duties when necessary.

Human Resources Management

· Ensure adequate human resources for programmes to meet their objectives;

· Work with the Systems Director, Emergency Director, Area Coordinator and programme managers to identify project staff needs, ensuring that job descriptions are developed, properly qualified staff are recruited, inducted and trained as per the needs of the programme and the organization.

· Line manage staff and ensure their professional development, including implementation of Performance Development Reviews;

· Ensure all staff comply with Concern’s Code of Conduct (CoC) and Associated Policies;

· Facilitate technical and management capacity development for staff, including training and coaching where needed, especially for direct reports;

· With CD and SD, ensure programme staff awareness and adherence to the Security Management Plan.

Representation and Networking

· In absence of the CD, act as focal point for the country programme;

· In conjunction with the CD, network and strengthen relations with donors, UN Agencies, Government representatives, and other leading NGOs and actors;

· Working with other Senior Management Team members ensure that Concern is effectively represented at national level with donors, clusters and at other coordination fora as required.

· In collaboration with the CD, liaise with Concern’s HQ offices (Dublin, London and New York) on appropriate advocacy issues and approaches for Concern South Sudan; ensuring a timely sharing of information and inputs to collective efforts.

· Ensure programme teams are undertaking sufficient and effective networking and coordination with local Government authorities, other NGOs, and UN at field level.

Accountability

· Promote and ensure compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) commitments and quality criteria

· Ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Concern’s Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) and ensure that information about Concern’s commitments on accountability and safeguarding are disseminated among programme participants and communities

· Ensure that the CRM is functional, effectively implemented and accessible in all programmes’ locations, enabling safe reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns

· Ensure that complaints are welcomed, managed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner; ensure that sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns, are handled with utmost confidentiality and that the safety of the complainants and those affected is prioritised at all stages.

Other Duties

· Prepare for and participate in monthly and quarterly Senior Management Team and bi-annual Country Management Team meetings.

· Participate in country-level strategic planning initiatives and other such duties as required.

· Contribute to internal and external communication products and reports when necessary.

· Lead by example and contribute to a culture that promotes the dignity of and respect for all staff and programme participants.

· Adhere fully to the commitments and rules of Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct (P4 and CoC), including the respect of confidentiality.

· Report to the appropriate manager, all violations of the P4 or CoC, this is a mandatory duty of all staff

Qualification

· Third level qualification in Development Studies, Agriculture, Business Administration, Education, Engineering or other related discipline.

· At least five years’ experience years in the development and/or management of development and humanitarian programmes.

· At least three years’ overseas experience in similar or related senior management positions

· Experience of programme development, the project management cycle, budget management and participatory planning methodologies.

· Strong understanding of and commitment to the promotion of equality.

· Knowledge and experience of Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies and emergency preparedness.

· Fluent English (written and spoken).

· Previous experience of managing a diverse team of senior staff including international staff.

· Proven strong management ability, including the ability to lead and motivate others.

· Excellent public relations, and written and verbal communication skills.

· Excellent organisational and planning skills.

· Strong problem solving and analytical skills.

We would also like

· Experience in an emergency context

· Experience participating in and working under a Cluster coordination system.

· Previous experience managing humanitarian and development programmes in the WASH, food security, livelihoods, education, nutrition, health, shelter and/or protection sectors.

· Affinity with organisational values, mission and vision, commitment to humanitarian principles.

· Experience of managing multiple simultaneous grants.