Country Director , AAH-I South Sudan 141 views3 applications

AAH-I South Sudan is a Country Programme of Action Africa Help International (AAH-I), an African-led non-governmental organisation that supports livelihood-challenged communities in East and Southern Africa to sustainably improve their well-being and standard of living. With Country Programmes in South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia and recently in Ethiopia, AAH-I has over 30 years’ experience working with communities in conflict and post-conflict situations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. AAH-I also works with other marginalised communities, including pastoralists and people living in informal urban settlements.

Reports to: AAH-I Executive Director

AAH-I South Sudan Board on Strategic Programme issues

Responsible for: AAH-I South Sudan Head of Programmes, Sector Heads, Finance & Admin Manager, Procurement & Logistics Manager and Human Resource Manager

Liaises with: AAH-I Directorate, AAH-I South Sudan National Board, Donors in the country, Government Authorities, Agency representatives as well as other stakeholders in South Sudan to ensure appropriate mechanisms of efficient coordination are in place and adequately functional.

Duty station: Juba, South Sudan, with at least 25% travel time to field locations

Job summary: To implement AAH-I South Sudan’s strategic goals and objectives. To provide leadership to the AAH-I South Sudan programme team towards advancement of AAH-I’s mission, philosophy and Country Programme goals and objectives in a complex, active conflict setting.

Broad Responsibilities:

1) Programme Development and Management:

With overall responsibility for programme development and management, works in consultation with the AAH-I Directorate and the AAH-I South Sudan National Board to develop the country strategy in line with the overall AAH-I strategy. Keeps abreast of the country priority development areas and ensures that the country strategy addresses them so that AAH-I South Sudan remains relevant to its stakeholders. Takes the lead in identifying new projects and gap areas in existing projects with a view to soliciting new funding. Ensures that programme and project activities outlined in the overall AAH-I and AAH-I South Sudan Country Strategic Plans and donor contracts are effectively implemented in accordance with contractual obligations and AAH-I South Sudan’s goals and mission. Ensures that the quality of AAH-I South Sudan programmes and services delivered is continuously improved upon.

2) Human Resource Management:

Effectively manages the human resources of the AAH-I South Sudan programme according to the approved HR policies and procedures, and ensures that AAH-I South Sudan fully conforms to the South Sudan labour laws and regulations. Effectively manages the programme team and partners by setting performance targets and continuously monitors to ensure the attainment of the programme objectives and country strategy.

3) Financial Management

Has an oversight responsibility to ensure appropriate management of the AAH-I South Sudan programme budgets in compliance with both AAH-I’s and Donor policies and procedures and ensures the agreed reporting deadlines are fully complied with. Works with the team to draw up annual work plans and budgets for the country and seeks AAH-I Directorate approval and monitors implementation.

4) Risk Management

Takes leadership in developing and executing action plan to resolve audit findings in an agreed and timely manner; undertake appropriate reporting of audit results and actions to the Board and Directorate; Ensures maintenance, monitoring and reporting of a sound Risk Management System for the Country Office, including implementation of the Security Policy.

5) Representation

As the senior staff in South Sudan, advocates on behalf of AAH-I South Sudan’s operations in the field and maintains a strong profile of the organisation in appropriate coordination and other external fora. Works with the Team Leaders in deciding on the development network the programme should invest time in. Represents AAH-I South Sudan with Local Authorities, Donors, and NGOs fora and assists in the management of both internal and external communications.

Expected Results:

1. Create a shared vision among all staff on programme/project objectives, and ensure that their role in achieving these is facilitated
2. AAH-I South Sudan Country Strategic Plan in line with the overall AAH-I Strategic Plan is regularly reviewed, implemented and monitored.
3. Programme and project annual and quarterly operational plans developed, regularly updated and followed.
4. Agreed AAH-I institutional policies, systems and procedures are followed in all country programmes and projects.
5. Overall coordination, networking and strategic partnerships to programme implementation established and made functional.
6. Oversight responsibility for finance management and systems compliance to AAH-I guidelines, donor requirements and locally applicable laws and procedures.
7. Programme and project monitoring and evaluation (based on programme and project indicators) regularly carried out, and timely reporting (monthly, quarterly and annual) to the Directorate, the AAH-I South Sudan Board, donors, and important stakeholders ensured.
8. Appropriate programme documentation and reporting systems further developed and implemented.
9. In-country contacts with existing donors and potential new donors maintained/explored and funding proposals in support of existing and/or new projects developed in consultation with the AAH-I Directorate.

Specific duties:

• Ensure that the projects remain within the remit of their initial design, budget and purpose and are in compliance with donor contractual obligations.

• Oversee the preparation of annual, quarterly and monthly work plans and operational budgets, setting the parameters and the process, and ensure full compliance with budgetary allocations and timely delivery of project outputs.

• Ensure efficient management systems in support of project implementation are adequately functional and are followed.

• Establish M&E systems in support of project implementation and ensure their adequate functionality.

• Ensure there is a regular documented forum/meeting for key staff to discuss work plans, and assess performance based on agreed upon benchmarks.

• Ensure monthly, quarterly and annual management reports and donor progress reports are prepared and distributed on time.

• Identify bottlenecks to project implementation and take appropriate remedial action.

• Ensure that robust and efficient office and logistical systems and procedures are in place and are complied with.

• Identify potential partners and assess their capacity to support the programme in the achievement of its objectives and make recommendations to the Executive Director and the South Sudan National Board.

• Ensure that appropriate systems and plans are in place for dealing with emergencies, and provide leadership for staff in emergencies.

• Representation of AAH-I South Sudan interests and activities to the media and official partners carried out in consultation with other key staff.

• Acting as the organizations representative in the country, lead in promoting good relations with Government Offices, Donors (existing and potential), Partners, and other stakeholders.

• Identify funding opportunities, commence negotiations, lead the technical team in preparing the required proposals, and work with the Directorate to close the deal.

• Participation in AAH-I internal management meetings and other coordination fora both within and without.

• Ensure that all relevant permits and operating authorizations are obtained to enable the organization to function efficiently, and all required returns are made in a timely manner.

• Ensure that the programme support functions are implemented efficiently and costeffectively and provide adequate support to Country Office operations.

• In consultation with the National Board and the Directorate, explore plans for programme consolidation/expansion (activities and/or geographically) and develop potential for further funding.

• Liaise with the AAH-I South Sudan Board Chairman to ensure that National Board meetings are held on a regular basis (quarterly) and proceedings properly documented.

• Any other relevant duties that may be assigned by the immediate supervisor from time-totime.

Level of Authority:

• As the executive head of the Country Programme, represents AAH-I South Sudan in official functions at country level.

• Can hire and discipline (including termination) of AAH-I South Sudan Country Progarmme staff and other direct project staff (NB: However, for Sector heads, Head of Programme; Country Finance Manager and International Staff will need to consult with the Directorate).

• Recommend termination of contracts of seconded programme staff on disciplinary grounds.

• Overall responsible for allocation and prudent management of project as well as approved AAH-I South Sudan resources in the Country Programme in line with AAH-I’s approved policies.

Expected Results

• AAH-I South Sudan Country strategic plans and action plans in place and efficiently implemented.

• High-performing, efficiently-run organization with a strong human resource base, annual plans that are effectively implemented, through which financial and operational objectives are attained.

• Organisational policies, plans, systems and procedures developed, disseminated and effectively implemented.

• Effective donor, government, and stakeholder relations developed and maintained that result in continued support; in developing and implementation of resource mobilisation strategy; and ensure the country office is adequately resourced to facilitate execution of its strategy.

• National Board relations effectively managed and Board decisions executed as agreed with the Executive Director.

• Key strategic partnerships with Country government, nationals’ systems, NGOs, local partners, and donor developed and nurtured.

Qualification

• A Master’s degree in the social sciences with significant experience in either humanitarian relief and either public health or development projects management;

• Proven track record of leadership, with at least 12 years’ progressive senior management experience, supervising complex programs funded by major multilateral or bilateral donor agencies;

• Demonstrated field leadership in strategic programme and project development, implementation, and evaluation;

• Proven track record in resource mobilization;

• Commitment to promote AAH-I’s Vision, Mission and its strategic goals;

• Inspiring leadership with excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Excellent diplomatic skills and ability to create positive relations with staff, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, international organizations, NGOs and CBOs to enhance AAH-I’s programs;

• Experience with financial management and compliance with donor requirements.

• Entrepreneurial orientation, self-starter able to work independently and cope with demanding work situations in complex setting with active conflict.

Skills and Competence:

• Strong management and supervisory skills and experience.

• Demonstrated leadership ability in strategizing and coalition building.

• Demonstrated effectiveness and lead experience in Country and fund development.

• Strong analytical (both political and organizational) skills with good attention to detail.

• Ability to provide coaching, mentoring and leadership to team members.

• Strong humanitarian relief experience and ability to work in an active conflict setting.

• Commitment to and understanding of AAH-I’s values