Executive Leadership Advisor JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

The goal of the Government of South Sudan: Strengthening Governance Project (GOSS GOV) is to assist the Government of South Sudan to develop more effective and accountable governance. This includes improved management capacity in priority areas that need immediate assistance, such as Executive Leadership, Legal Framework and the Rule of Law and Public Service capacity building.

Pact Inc. is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, DC, which currently operates in 29 countries. Globally, Pact targets three strategic areas: health, livelihoods and natural resource management. Pact’s mission is to contribute to the growth of a civil society where citizens acting together can express their interests, exchange information, strive for mutual goals and influence governments worldwide in pursuit of economic, social and political justice. The organization achieves its mission through provision of Grants to selected Civil Society Organizations and the provision of Technical Support. Pact in South Sudan focuses specifically on achieving these goals through peacebuilding, justice, governance and water access projects. Pact is partnering with Deloitte on GOSS GOV program.

The GOSS GOV program has three primary objectives:

1) Executive level of government at the GOSS and targeted state government levels are able to develop and articulate a shared vision, plan strategically, define policy, ensure implementation of plans and policies, lead effectively across ministries and level of government, engage citizens, and manage development partners

2) Executive and legislative institutions at the GOSS and targeted state government levels are able to develop and effectively execute a harmonized legal system

3) Executive and human resource institutions at the GOSS and targeted state government levels are able to guide and facilitate human capital development across the government

Executive leadership is challenging in any environment, but post-conflict environments demand balancing of political interests, short-term imperatives, and medium- and long-term objectives. The GOSS GOV Program has three specific executive leadership aims:

1) That each office or ministry functions well;

2) That executive decision-making is supported by technical analysis in key areas;

3) That processes are put in place across offices and ministries and throughout levels of government to bolster the cycle of policy formulation, legal framework development, and policy execution.

To achieve these aims and objectives Pact seeks to engage 3 Executive Leadership Advisors, to be based in Bor, Malakal, and Bentiu. These advisors will work to develop the functional capacity of leaders in GOSS executive offices by providing functional support and technical advice to State governors and relevant ministries.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Executive Leadership Advisors will be expected to work with GOSS executive institutions to:

A. Build functional capacity

a. Refine organograms, identify reporting lines, develop job descriptions, and establish linkages with other organizations;

b. Measure level of performance in relevant offices, define target levels of performance, and develop a plan for moving from the current state to the desired state.

B. Build technical capacity

a. Facilitate relationship strengthening between executive leadership and Sudanese technical capacity and information providers;

b. Support relative institutions as necessary to build their capacity to provide data and analysis to executive offices;

C. Increase strategic communications

a. Build the capacity of the Office of the President to develop and implement a communication strategy to transmit the GOSS vision, goals, and priorities to the people;

b. Build procedures for executive branch engagement with the media;

c. Develop mechanisms through which leadership becomes aware of the views of civil society;

D. Address weaknesses in structure of government

a. Review structures and processes across institutions and levels of government;

b. Develop recommendations for how to harmonize organizational responsibilities and improve functionality; including identification of gaps, overlaps, critical linkages, or potential bottlenecks;

c. Identify the constitutional provisions and/or amendments needed to legalize required changes to the structure of the GOSS;

d. Work with relevant government stakeholders to develop and propose a governmental work force design that is refined and harmonized;

e. Support in the development of a process to communicate job descriptions to civil servants.

E. Strengthen government processes

a. Facilitate government visioning and strategic planning processes;

b. Support with decision-making and policy-making processes;

c. Support in development of effective meeting processes;

d. Improve access to information and executive communication processes;

e. Support with donor coordination;

f. Support to develop crisis and security processes.

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience
• Master’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant area, preferred
• Experience developing and delivering governance strategy and advising high-level government officials on technical policy topics preferred
• Previous experience working with civil society organizations to increase civic engagement and influence state policies, priorities and planning
• Proven facilitation skills appropriate for both local and state level organizations
• Understanding of programming and project management concepts, including gender analysis and conflict sensitivity
• Previous experience working in remote areas in post-conflict settings, preferably South Sudan
• Previous knowledge of South Sudan’s constitution, development plan, government policies, laws and programs preferred
• Fluency in English required

Functional Competencies

• Demonstrated experience working with host country governments, counterparts, and international donors
• Ability to engage effectively and diplomatically with government officials at both the state and community levels
• Experience developing and communicating governance strategies
• Progressive experience analyzing and advising on governance policies
• Knowledge of training measurement and evaluation techniques
• Excellent planning, facilitation and training skills
• Experience working with local civil society organizations and communities
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Strong interpersonal, team and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Knowledge of gender- and conflict-sensitive project planning and monitoring for gender equitable results

Other Considerations

• The Executive Leadership Advisors must be willing to live and work in Malakal, Bentiu and/or Bor for 2-3 years

Please provide a cover letter describing your suitability for this position in your application.

How to apply:

To apply for this position, please visit our website at www.pactworld.org