Sudan INGO Forum Director At Catholic Relief Services

About Sudan INGO Forum:

The Sudan INGO Forum (the Forum) is a voluntary and independent networking body of 66 International NGOs that supports its members to effectively respond to humanitarian, development and peacebuilding needs in Sudan. It supports its members in the principled and effective delivery of assistance so that members can continue to save and improve lives of those affected by the current conflict across the country. The purpose of the Forum is to facilitate communication, information-sharing and collective action among INGOs, formulate and amplify the collective voice of the INGO community in Sudan, forge collaboration with National NGOs, UN Agencies, Donors and appropriate representatives of the Sudanese authorities and advocate for an enabling environment for INGOs operating in Sudan.

The functions of the Sudan INGO Forum Secretariat include: information sharing and coordination, external engagement and strategic representation, policy engagement and development, liaising with UN agencies, Donors, NNGOs, Local and National authorities and international NGO and advocacy networks and supporting capacity development of INGO Forum members.

The Sudan INGO Forum is hosted by CRS who works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Job Summary:

Based in Port Sudan with regular travel envisaged to Nairobi, Eastern Chad and Donor Capitals, the Sudan INGO Forum Director manages the INGO Forum functions, facilitating coordination between Forum members working across Sudan. This includes enabling effective information exchange between INGOs, promoting common positions and building productive relationships between INGOs and the Humanitarian Coordinator, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, UN OCHA and other UN agencies, local and national state and non-state authorities, National NGOs, Sudanese Civil Society Donors and Diplomatic missions. The Sudan INGO Forum Director regularly represents the members of the Sudan INGO Forum in senior international forums on Sudan and the wider region. In the fulfilment of the above functions the Sudan INGO Forum Director supports the work of the elected Steering Committee and the position reports to the Chairperson of the INGO Forum Steering Committee. The Sudan INGO Forum Director is responsible for line management of all other secretariat positions including an Access Adviser (seconded from DRC), Darfur Emergency Coordinator, Advocacy Coordinator (in recruitment) and Information Management Officer (seconded from IMMAP).

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage key Secretariat functions, including management of the INGO Forum budget, development of strategic priorities and developing high level reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay abreast and informed of key developments in the political, security and humanitarian context across Sudan and provide structured updates to the Steering Committee and Sudan INGO Forum members including relevant advice on opportunities, strategies and entry points for engagement.
• Facilitate effective briefings and meetings with a variety of key stakeholders ensuring follow up on action points and thorough documentation of process.
• Coordinates INGO Forum and Steering Committee meetings and other high-level meetings and workshops with key NGO, UN and governmental actors.
• Represents the Sudan INGO Forum at high-level forums including UN forums, multi-donor meetings, government ministries, civil society, global NGO consortium and with diplomatic community.
• Advises and guides the INGO Forum’s advocacy on policy related issues impacting the response to the Sudan crisis, including on operational constraints impeding INGOs in Sudan.
• Promotes a conflict-sensitive approach and adherence to humanitarian principles among INGO Forum Members including ensuring that INGOs pay specific consideration to potential protection issues within their response.
• Ensure that institutional knowledge is gathered from INGOs and that key learnings are extracted from coordination processes and promote the incorporation of these into INGO Forum member’s response strategies.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with key individuals in UN, local and national state and non-state authorities, diplomatic missions, donors, local and national NGOs, civil society and communities.
• Provide orientation briefings to new INGO Country Directors.
• Lead Forum’s business development, including maintaining relations with donor community, identifying funding opportunities and preparing proposals as required.
• Line Management of all Forum Secretariat positions including Access Adviser (seconded from DRC), Darfur Emergency Coordinator, Advocacy Coordinator (in recruitment) and Information Management Officer (seconded from IMMAP) and work with host organization and other Forum members to address human resource gaps.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years working experience with NGOs, ideally in complex emergency settings), with at least 2 years’ experience in country program senior management (e.g. Country Director/Head of Mission, NGO Forum Coordinator/Director, Chief of Party etc.)
• Significant prior experience with humanitarian and/or NGO coordination with solid understanding on IASC Humanitarian architecture and the mandates of actors involved as well as understanding of humanitarian principles.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including staff management, partner management and financial management.
• Excellent strategic and analytical skills and demonstrated ability in writing briefing papers, advocacy products and other information products.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to foster collaborative operational environment with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong personal commitment to promoting international humanitarian standards and principles.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and often demanding environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to engage and build relationships with a wide and diverse set of stakeholders.
• Previous knowledge of Sudan highly desirable.

Required Languages – Fluent (written and verbal) in English. Arabic would be an advantage.

Travel – Position based in Port Sudan with regular travel (50%) both within Sudan and to Nairobi, Eastern Chad and Donor Capitals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

· Recognized leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.

· Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.

· Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.

· Ability to represent and present at high levels.

· Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Sudan INGO Forum Darfur Emergency Coordinator, Sudan INGO Forum Access Adviser, Sudan INGO Forum Advocacy Coordinator, Sudan INGO Forum IM Office.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

External

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.