The Mercy Corps South Sudan Country Director (CD) is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing and providing strategic vision for all programming in south Sudan, resulting in a lasting difference in the lives of millions of Sudanese. S/He has previously held senior roles in formulating strategic direction within an international development context. The CD has a supervisory responsibility for all staff and programs and the implementation of all security protocols. With an annual budget over $10 million from programs funded by multiple donors, the CD continues to nurture and develop sustainable, multi-sector programming. S/he is accountable to beneficiaries and donors and places a high value on innovative solutions to development issues & creative partnerships in tough environments. S/He is an inspirational manager committed to advancing the organization’s strategy and empowering its senior leaders. As the MC senior manager in Sudan, the CD is responsible for ensuring accountability to MC policies and donor rules and regulations, financial oversight, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, staff security, human resource management, and representation in the field. He/She will be the primary program representative to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
MC’s work in Sudan has three major components: Civil Society Development, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) and Humanitarian Assistance with activities that span many sectors including agriculture, market and livelihoods development, water & sanitation, capacity building, peace building, infrastructure rehabilitation, protection and emergency distribution. MC is committed to long-term programming in Sudan and faces numerous opportunities for expansion. Mercy Corps’ high level of success in bringing about positive change in Sudan has been possible because of its community acceptance methodology of program implementation.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Strategy and Vision
- Explore, evaluate, and present innovative country and project funding opportunities, leveraging impact and integrating activities with other NGOs particularly focused on market led economic recovery, civil society capacity building, community led development, conflict management, and emergency response.
- Collaborate with other senior staff to develop and secure funding for new program concepts. Lead proposal and budget development, as needed. Oversee the transformation of proposed concepts into operational programs. Continue ongoing discussions with donors on current project expansion and seek recovery and development opportunities with support of other team members. Lead preparation and positioning for possible humanitarian responses.
- Lead the annual country planning process and provide timely quarterly reporting and strategic updates.
- Anticipate needs, understand donor pool and secure sufficient resources in a timely manner.
Representation
- Represent Mercy Corps programs with national & international media & participate in community activities as appropriate with clarity and cultural sensitivity.
- Communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.
- Maintain productive relationships internally with Mercy Corps corporate officers and staff as well as collaborative external contacts with major donors, Embassy officials, local relief and development organizations, national and local government officials, international NGOs, donor agency officials, vendors, media and general public.
Team Management
- Recruit, manage and motivate a skilled and efficient team; incorporate staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team building process, encouraging a culture of learning and innovation.
- Supervise and lead a diverse team of direct reports and indirect reports in multiple field offices to work respectfully and effectively together to accomplish team objectives.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
- Build a Mercy Corps Sudan team that is unified around a common mission and set of core values. Help Mercy Corps Sudan staff relate to and feel part of Mercy Corps as a global organization.
Operations Management
- Apply Mercy Corps Design M&E principles and framework to programs and ensure the country’s overall strategy includes effective, timely reporting systems for all donors.
- Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps & donor policies & procedures.
- Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors.
- Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
Security
- Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work.
- Liaise with the GEO Director and Regional Program Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and security policy changes.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Direct supervision of: Program Manager(s), Finance and Administration Managers.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Africa Regional Program Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: HQ-based Program, Finance, Technical Support Unit, Recruitment, and media and advocacy team members; North Sudan Country Director; and representatives from donors, government, and local and INGOs.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required such as social science, management, international development; MA/S preferred.
- 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing large, complex, transitional development programs.
- 5+ years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
- Proven skills in financial & grant management; prior experience with donor, government grant and financial management. Experience with donor requirements of USAID, EU, UN, and private donors and foundations.
- 5 years of management experience, with a demonstrated ability to build staff capacity in cross-cultural settings as well as excellent team-building and interpersonal skills.
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO, and NGO partners.
- Previous work experience in Sudan and insecure environments.
- Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.
- Proficiency in English is required. Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful South Sudan CD will confidently represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and partners in the region while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team. S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building while being committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Understanding and adhering to field security management practices, as well as cultural, political and religious considerations are essential. Successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The CD is based in Juba with frequent travel to field sites. South Sudan is an unaccompanied post and insecure. Although conditions and services continue to improve rapidly, the conditions in most sites are basic, sometimes tented, compounds. Medical facilities are basic, and tropical diseases including malaria are endemic. Housing is group accommodation with limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...
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