Head Of Operations 23 views0 applications

General job description

The Head of Operations for Action Against Hunger (ACF) in Sudan plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian programs. Their primary objective is to oversee and optimize operational functions, including logistics, supply chain management, security, and administration, to support the delivery of life-saving interventions in areas affected by conflict, hunger, and displacement. They work closely with program teams to align operations with organizational goals and ensure compliance with donor regulations and internal policies, all while navigating complex humanitarian challenges in Sudan’s context.

Key activities

Objective 1: Supervise the design & implementation of programs in the assigned area, ensuring adherence to project plans, timelines, and budgets aligned with ACF guidelines and protocols and donor requirements

• Ensure project targeting is needs-based, aligned with ACF policies, and avoids duplication through coordination with stakeholders and effective budget planning.
• Support the Project Managers to establish effective work plans, ensuring alignment with project objectives, budgets, and donor requirements and conduct regular monthly follow-up on every project
• Ensure the integration and adherence with the technical departmental strategies while supporting the country office in reporting on project targets and mission strategic framework targets.
• In coordination with the DCD Program and the Technical Coordinators, develop and manage an activity progress reporting of the projects at the sub-national level, ensuring key indicators are met and followed, and using effective tools are used to plan, manage, and report on progress; propose solutions and support implementation. Ensure close budget and PPP follow -up in coordination with the Finance and Logistics.
• Assist in defining and enhancing inter-departmental collaboration at field level, leveraging technical and MEAL departments, to improve operational effectiveness, optimize resource utilisation and quality of service delivery.
• Monitor and analyse the logistical, administrative, financial and human resource utilisation within the Projects, identifying inefficiencies, recommending streamlining options and process improvement to the SMT and the Base Management Team
• Ensure supervision and close teamwork between the Project Managers and and their teams, both at field and coordination levels, to ensure proper implementation of activities in line with ACF and donor guidelines, adherence to plans, and achievement of project objectives.
• In coordination with the DCD-P and Coordination teams, support the PM, technical and support teams in ensuring archiving compliance and control on technical documentation.

Objective 2: Ensure the Quality of Reporting & Analysis of Programming and Program Development

• Provide technical guidance to program staff to ensure high-quality program development by supporting the design of objectives, activities, and indicators in line with ACF policies and donor requirements. Facilitate evidence-based planning, integration of best practices, and alignment with strategic priorities to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
• Ensure the development of robust impact analysis processes, including needs assessments, risks analysis, relevant SMART outcomes indicators and adequate verification sources– supporting the lead PM & MEAL Manager/Team in the development and implementation to enhance reporting accuracy, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
• Leverage lessons learned from project and program to strengthen the design of quality proposals in close collaboration with the technical and field team to integrate evidence-based approaches, best practices, and data-driven findings. Ensuring proposals align with ACF’s strategic objectives, donor priorities, and field realities, enhancing program effectiveness and impact.
• Support in the development of new programs/proposals to meet the needs of the most vulnerable Households by supporting the needs assessments, the definition of programs and projects objectives and outcomes, selecting geographical area of intervention and integrating cross-cutting issues. Ensure alignment with ACF’s strategy and donor priorities while working closely with technical teams to design effective and impactful interventions.
• Submit regular reports to the SMT and ensure the proper submission of monthly reports by the Project Managers and Head of Base
• Ensure timely and accurate internal and external reporting by overseeing technical report preparation, validating data quality, and ensuring alignment with ACF and donor requirements.
• In coordination with the Head of Base (HoB), MEAL Manager/team, and Senior Management Team (SMT), ensure the regular and consistent collection, verification, and analysis of data for each indicator in logical frameworks to meet both internal and external needs.
• Ensure accountability and feedback mechanisms are integrated into field activities, allowing beneficiaries to provide input and receive responses.

Objective 3: Team Management and Human Resourcing

• Ensure that the Head of Bases and the Project Managers implement activities in accordance with ACF policies and processes, as well as donor requirements, with the support of the technical team and in discussion with coordination.
• Develop and implement capacity-building plans for Heads of Base and Project Managers based on appraisals and evaluations, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Provide targeted training and mentorship to enhance their competencies in project management, financial oversight, logistics, administration, access, and representation, ensuring continuous professional growth and improved performance.
• Support the organization base meetings ensuring effective communication, documentation through minutes, and team-building activities to strengthen coordination and collaboration.
• Participate in defining Human Resources needs for departments and ensure the best candidates are selected to ensure effective activity implementation.

Objective 4: Representation and Stakeholder Engagement

• Under the guidance and direction of the DCD Program, ensure that the relevant individuals participate in the sub-national Working Groups and clusters, or any other coordination mechanisms in place on technical issues as and when needed
• Liaise, coordinate, and collaborate with stakeholders to align technical approaches, avoid duplication, strengthen coordination and advocacy, and improve coordination and referral mechanisms.
• Work closely with local partners to ensure effective representation in coordination meetings, joint planning, and decision-making processes. Regularly follow up on activities to monitor progress, address challenges, and provide technical support where needed. Ensure alignment with project objectives by coordinating implementation strategies, sharing best practices, and reinforcing compliance with ACF policies and donor requirements. Strengthen partnerships through capacity-building initiatives, fostering long-term collaboration for sustainable impact.
• Act on behalf the Head of Base during his/her absences and support and guidance from the Country Director and Coordination team
• Support the Project Managers in coordination with national and international stakeholders throughout the implementation of the programming, coordinating with the DCD Program and other departments to ensure a common message and position is relayed effectively and clearly

Objective 5: Security and Access

• Respect the security rules specified in the mission and base security plan and see to it that the team under his/her responsibility complies with the security plan and performs the security management tasks that can be assigned in its protocols.
• Communicate to the security managers of the working location any security-related information or noncompliance with the security plan.
• Ensure regular engagement with any stakeholders to enhance access to the PiN as well as improving access of PiN to ACF services and goods
• Provide technical support to the SMT on all policies, procedures, guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational safety, and program continuity in adherence to the ACF Global Security Strategy, the S&S strategy of Sudan.
• Evaluate and review, the security management policies, procedures and guidelines in compliance with global safety and security standards and requirements and SMS (Security Minimum Standards)
• Compile and submit regular reports that track trends in humanitarian access within the ACF’s area of operation.
• Identify, create and maintain a network with NGO/UN and other humanitarian access and security specialists or working groups.

Objective 6: Support humanitarian activities of Action Against Hunger

• As and when needed, provide coverage for Emergency Response activities and support the delivery of assistance directly at the field level
• Ensure a regular and consistent field presence for daily activities and remote locations

Objective 7: Gender & Safeguarding

• Promote safe and equitable environments through knowledge and application of the protocol against harassment and gender policy in our programming
• Knowledge and compliance with safeguarding policy.

Candidate description

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, logistics, Business Administration, Humanitarian or Development Studies or other related field or substantial Humanitarian and Development experience
• Thorough knowledge of complex procurement procedures (at national and international level), administration/finance, Safety and Risk management, PCM, institutional donor knowledge/compliance
• Team Leadership.
• Demonstrated staff capacity building and management skills.
• Good management and representation capacity.
• Experience in risk management, fraud prevention.
• Experience in logistics, admin and HR.
  5 years’ experience in similar positions or, head of Department of head of a large field office
• Humanitarian sector knowledge Mandatory
• Languages:English fluent, Arabic and/or French an asset
• IT systems: Strong computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email/internet software
• Mobility (national/ international)

Remuneration package

We offer immediate incorporation to a dynamic international network with the following remuneration package:

• Formal work contract: 24 months.
• Base: Port Sudan (Sudan)
• Salary: according to Action Against Hunger salary scale and to candidate’s previous experience.

This package includes:

• Expatriate insurance (health, live, repatriation, travel, etc.)
• Break flights/trips to defined area: (break per diem: 215 EUR)
• Yearly holiday return flight ticket
• Accommodation and housing expenses (in shared guest house)
• Travel costs to and from the mission.
• 28 working days of paid leave per year
• Emotional care service at the service of the employee and family.

Given the urgency of this position, the vacancy may close on or before the deadline.
In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment Action Against Hunger implement a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks/International vetting/Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.

Action Against Hunger provides equal opportunities to candidates regardless of their origin, nationality, race, gender, regional and sexual orientation. This vision aims to integrate equal treatment and opportunities among females and males in all HR processes and policies within the organization.