Programme Coordinator – Livelihoods and Food Security, South Sudan 136 views0 applications

About the role: This is a 12 month, replacement role with unaccompanied terms based in Nyamlell, Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG), South Sudan with a salary of Band 4 €40,003 – €44,449

You will report to the Area Coordinator and will line manage Program Manager (1), lead Food Security and Livelihood teams and work closely with The Programmes Director, Health and Nutrition Programme Managers, Logistics Coordinator, Finance Officer, M&E Manager, Country Financial Controller, Systems Director and relevant technical advisors.

We would like you to start on 1^st October 2019

Your purpose: Your principal objective is to oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of Concern’s Food Security and Livelihoods program in NBeG. You will enhance the programming and managerial skills of the program managers and project officers and oversee the management of the entire FSL team. You will build on and continue Concern’s partnership with State Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Resources, Fisheries, Tourism and Cooperatives and the various Country Departments under the ministry in both Aweil West and Aweil North counties. The role involves working closely with the Area Coordinator and Programme Director in carrying out assessments and leading on implementation of emergency response interventions when necessary.

You will be responsible for:

Programme Development and Implementation

• Oversee the development, planning and delivery of Food Security and Livelihoods programme activities funded by various donors (DFID, WFP, FAO, OFDA, IAPF and other donors) in consultation and collaboration with the Programme Director and the Area Coordinator.
• Lead implementation of FSL activities using appropriate Concern project management tools to plan, review and track progress and quality by the FSL team
• Regularly monitor field-level activities to resolve obstacles to timely, quality, and accountable implementation. Proactively raise issues with the Area Coordinator and Program Director as appropriate.
• Ensure the relevance and implementation of technically-sound beneficiary selection criteria and approaches;

· Ensure tactical plans for all projects are developed and field level activities are set up efficiently under the integrated model to promote food and nutrition security, and build community resilience to the effects of climate extremes.

· Provide technical guidance on approaches and methodologies to improve agricultural production such as climate smart agriculture technologies, various farm production approaches, research, community based extension services, on/off farm diversification, market approaches etc.

· Oversee programme quality in accordance with Concern, Donor and Government of South Sudan policies and best practices.

· Build on existing and seek new synergies for advocacy through the cluster system at state level, technical working groups and other fora in Food Security and Livelihoods Sector.

· Support cross-sectoral periodic programme reviews to assess programme progress, capture lessons learnt and adapt programme strategies as necessary in accordance with Concern’s results-based management principles.

• Ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting issues/approaches throughout the programme cycle including: Gender, Protection, HIV and Aids, Rights Based Approach and do no harm philosophy.
• Lead and participate in emergency assessments and develop plans for rapid and appropriate responses in consultation with line management.
• Analyse and report the humanitarian needs and provide clear and detailed recommendations for intervention, develop appropriate targeting criteria and mechanisms to ensure the needs of identified vulnerable groups are met.
• Assist in identifying and developing new needs/growth opportunities and/or opportunities for strategic partnerships
• Ensure strong cooperation and coordination with Gender and Protection Officer to ensure all FSL programming is sensitive to and, where possible, actively reducing protection risks amongst vulnerable population groups.
• Liaise with relevant Advisers to assure programme quality and alignment to global, national and Concern standards.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Work with the M&E Manager to manage the project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) plan, with particular emphasis on accountability and transparency. Lead in-field learning events, debriefs, review meeting, joint supportive supervisions etc. and ensure documentation and sharing of lessons learned. Ensure prompt collection, analysis, and sharing of all FSL Program related data
• Identify gaps and opportunities for further programming, design and support needs assessments and gap analyses, and have responsibility for programmatic contributions to FSL donor reporting, in cooperation with the Grants and M&E Manager;
• Strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system for Concern’s Food Security and Livelihoods Sector in NBeG through overseeing M&E activities such as baselines, mid-term review, end of project evaluations, technical visits, assessments etc. and implementing recommendations from such processes.

· Set and maintain a simple Early Warning and Early Action (EWEA) system to monitor food security situation in programme area and advise the Program Director regularly on changes in indicators being monitored on the EWEA.

• Conduct timely routine activity quality monitoring activities, including field-site and post-distribution monitoring – ensure data is shared in a timely fashion with the MEAL Team.
• Lead the development of technical FSL assessments, with support from the Grants and M&E Manager;
• Provide support to strengthen the information management, including standardized databases for implementation tracking and monitoring purposes.

· Ensure programme delivery is in line with the log frames, and each indicator is being monitored as per M&E plans developed at programme development stage and ensuring timely internal monthly and donor reports as per the South Sudan funding tracker shared by the Grants Management unit.

• Ensure programme delivery is in line with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) through: 1) Ensuring strong and meaningful community participation throughout the programme cycle; 2) systematically sharing programme information with target communities /key stakeholders; 3) Under the guidance of PD contributing to the rolling out and managing Concern’s Complaints Response Mechanism in (CRM) and 4) Contributing to Concern’s CHS reporting requirements.

Donor Compliance

• Support the Programme Director during donor proposals, budgets and reports to ensure they are of high quality, up-to-date and delivered in a timely manner in accordance with Concern policies/procedures, donor requirements and for other interested parties, including government departments, in collaboration with programme team colleagues.
• Be responsible for ensuring that donor strategy, donor guidelines, formats and processes are understood and being adhered to within FSL programme implementation and procurement.

Representation

• Ensure effective networking and coordination with relevant stakeholders, such as Government authorities, other NGOs, and UN Agencies operating in the FSL sector at field level.
• Represent Concern at cluster and other coordination fora and meetings at state and national level as required
• Manage the relationship with implementing partners of Concern FSL projects in NBeG, including capacity building where necessary.

Human Resources

• Invest heavily in the developing skills and competencies of national field teams – the FSL coordinator will provide hands-on coaching, guidance and technical support to programme staff, ensuring clarity over programme plans and priorities to effectively deliver their jobs with highest standards.
• Participate in the staff recruitment process, new staff on-boarding and induction process, capacity building, and performance appraisal of FSL staff;

· Using talent spotting, identify and nurture potential in key national staff across the structure to strengthen programme delivery at all levels. Ensuring JDs are well understood by staff.

· Support timely recruitment to fill vacant positions, and new staff recruited are inducted and trained as per the needs of the programme and the organisation.

· Nurture team spirit in the various teams within the structure like Community Facilitators, Assistant Project Officers, Project Officers and Volunteers.

• Identify and take appropriate action to address underperformance in managers and all staff in FSL

· Ensure that all staff in FSL team are aware of and comply with Concern’s policies and procedures.

· Ensure that all staff are provided with the necessary support and advice to carry out their duties.

Finance, Admin and Logistics

• Monitor and manage programme expenditure and budgets, ensuring resources are optimally utilized and spending is in line with Concern financial procedures and Donor requirements.
• Ensure that invoices and supporting files are accurate, consistent and submitted timely with UN partners at the field level.
• Lead in monthly financial review or expenditure against programme plan and implement revisions as required.
• Liaise with the Area Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Country Financial Controller, and other Programme Managers, and Systems Director through coordinated planning to ensure efficient and timely procurement and use of supplies necessary for the smooth running of the programme.

Security

• Ensure the FSL team carry out their work in accordance with Concern’s security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the Security Management Plan (SMP).
• Assist the Area Coordinator with security analysis through the sharing of important security information collected through field work.
• Participate in the revision of SOPs and the SMP when necessary and other security related duties when necessary.

Other Duties

· Establishing and developing effective working relationship with Concern staff, Government staff and community volunteers to ensure team work and integration.

· As team member effectively participating in any Preparing for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) process as deemed necessary. This may include being deployed to respond to emergencies as and when required.

· As a member of the Area Management Team, participating in team decision making, planning and joint activities

· Supporting other projects in your area whenever requested to do so

· Adhering to Concern’s programme and other policies on physical and financial resources

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

· Master’s Degree in Agriculture or equivalent qualification

· At least 5 years’ experience of managing FSL projects with a minimum of 3 year overseas experience

· Experience in Climate Smart Agriculture Techniques and principles of building community resilience

· Experience in market assessment and market system development

· Experience in donor reporting and proposal writing

· Experience in monitoring and evaluation including baselines, surveys, Mid Term Reviews and End of Project Evaluations

· Experience in budgeting and financial monitoring processes

· Strong staff management, capacity building and supervision skills

· Familiarity with complex and insecure emergency context.

· Experience of mainstreaming equality, gender, DRR, HIV and AIDS.

· Fluent written and spoken English

Desirable:

· Work experience in South Sudan or other fragile contexts in the horn of Africa

· Experience working with Government ministries, networking and donor relations.

· Knowledge of Concern Policies and Programming Approaches.

· Previous experience of Results Based Management approach.

· Previous experience in implementing an integrated programme.

• Experience of mentoring and on-the-job training

We would also like:

· Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity.

· Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to to addressing extreme poverty and working in the world’s poorest countries and even in those countries in the poorest parts of the country, capacity building, protection and participation.

· Good communication and training / capacity building skills.

· Ability in team building and working in a participatory/integrated manner.

· Ability to work on own initiative.

· Flexible, patient and adaptable to a changing environment.

· Ability to work under pressure with numerous deadlines, etc.

· Knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft word, Excel, communications systems.

· Ability to live and work in a close team environment.

· Prepared to work and live in a challenging and remote location.