AREA COORDINATOR, SOUTH SUDAN

Country: South Sudan

Organization: Action Africa Help - International

Closing date: 2 Sep 2021

actionafricahelp.org/careers

Action Africa Help International (AAH-I), an African-led non-governmental organization 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 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 marginalized communities, including pastoralists and people living in informal urban settlements.

In South Sudan, AAH-I works in Greater Equatoria, Greater Jonglei, Greater Upper Nile and Greater Unity State, with field offices in Juba, Yei, Maridi, Yambio, Mundri, Bor, Wau, Ajong Thok, Maban and Malakal.

AAH-I South Sudan Country Programme is looking to recruit a suitably qualified candidate to fill the vacant position of Area Coordinator to be based in Maban field office (Upper Nile State).

Reports to: AAH-I Humanitarian Logistics Sector Head/Project Manager

Responsible for: Managing the Maban Project office and directly supervises the project Finance & Admin officer, HR/Admin Assistant, Warehouse manager, workshop manager, Infrastructure manager, and the logistics and procurement officer.

Liaises with:**

Internal

· Heads of Sector; Security coordinator; HR Manager, and Procurement Coordinator

· Monitoring and evaluation Manager

· County Finance Manager and Team

· Other Area Coordinators

External

· UN agencies: UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, etc.

· Multilateral and Bilateral Donors Agencies; and other Implementing Partners in the state

· Government representatives, Commissioner for Refugees Affairs (CRA) and local leaders.

Duty Station: Maban Field Officer (Upper Nile State), South Sudan

Job Summary:

The Area Coordinator (AC) is responsible for leading and managing AAH-I operational team in Upper Nile State. As the most senior representative for AAH in the project location, the Area Coordinator is responsible for representation to the local authorities and to donors, and for coordination with other NGOs and UN agencies. The Area Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the implementation of all AAHI projects within the location and ensuring adherence to quality and accountability commitments. The area Coordinator ensures that AAH policies and procedures are adhered to by staff. As a member of the AAH Program’s Senior Management Team the Area Coordinator contributes to strategic decision making and shaping of the overall strategy for AAH-I South Sudan country Programme.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Strategy

· As a member of the Country Program’s Senior Management Team (SMT), help to shape the overall strategy for the Programme as articulated in the strategic plan.

· Ensure AAH’s mission, values, and the Programme objectives are communicated amongst project staff and facilitate input from project staff in the strategic planning process.

· Represent the project area in SMT discussions, reviewing security management, progress against strategic objectives, budget expenditure, Human Resources, and any other operational concerns.

· Assist the Country Director and HR Manager in defining required team composition and organizational structure for the project team in accordance with the AAH staff grading structure.

2. Project / Support Function Management

· Ensures timely project implementation in line with the agreed Project partnership agreement and following AAH-I policies and procedures.

· Has overall financial oversight and monitors the Project budgets in consultation with the Managers and finance staff in the area.

· Contribute to development of project proposals (narrative, log frame, activity schedule and budget) for AAH projects within the area of operation, through providing leadership on conducting assessments and the shaping of new project proposals

· Provide interim and final project reports on projects within the area for submission to donors in accordance with the reporting schedule and the required reporting formats.

· Facilitate monitoring of the projects with project staff, to review project progress, review beneficiary feedback, identify corrective actions required, and capture learning.

· Promote and encourage an openness to welcoming feedback from beneficiaries and communities, and learning from staff

· Responsible for managing project budgets, in conjunction with the area accountant, administration and logistics staff, ensuring project budgets are phased, a procurement plan is drawn up, and assisting project staff in managing specific project budget lines, monitoring expenditure to budget and identify any corrective actions required.

· Participate in project monitoring and evaluation to assess project impact and effective use of resources.

· Promote and encourage an openness to welcoming feedback from beneficiaries and communities, and learning from staff

3. Policy Compliance

· Responsible for security management for the project team in the designated area, including writing and updating the location-specific Security Plan, ensuring staff are fully briefed and trained on the agreed security measures appropriate to the area, staff understand individual and collective responsibilities for safety and security and ensuring incidents are reported, critical learning is recorded and corrective actions taken.

· Responsible for health and safety for the project team in the designated area, ensuring policy is understood by staff, and any accidents/incidents are recorded appropriately.

· Responsible for the induction of project staff posted to the area, with the support of the HR Manager, ensuring their familiarity with AAHI mission, values, Quality Standards, policies and Programme objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.

· In conjunction with the HR Manager and HR staff, ensure local recruitment is consistent with AAH HR recruitment policies, the legal context and local practice

· In conjunction with the HR Manager and HR staff, ensure HR policies and procedures are understood by the project team and implemented.

· In conjunction with the Finance Manager and finance staff, ensure financial management is in accordance with AAH financial policies and guidelines.

· In conjunction with the Logistics Manager and logistics staff, ensure logistics systems (procurement, transport, storage, communications, estate / buildings management, asset management etc.) are in accordance with AAH logistics systems and policies.

· Ensure project completion, filing and archiving procedures are implemented.

4. Team Management

· Provide leadership to the project teams, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities, encouraging effective team work and inclusiveness, and building a team spirit through regular meetings and team events.

· Provide management support to the project management team, in their management of others, and the implementation of work plans and budgets.

· Oversee the administrative functions for the project team, line managing administrative staff in the area of operation.

· Ensure AAH’s staff performance management system is effectively implemented across the project teams, with objective setting, probationary reviews, regular catch ups, 6-monthly performance appraisals and exit interviews, carried out for all staff.

· Support the implementation of AAH’s staff development policy, including personal development planning, across the project teams in a way that is consistent and transparent.

· Conduct disciplinary and grievance procedures, as required, in conjunction with the HR Manager.

5. External Representation

· Represent AAH to local authorities (whether formal governmental or informal de facto authorities), securing the necessary approvals to operate.

· Represent AAH to other NGOs, UN agencies, and visitors, ensuring coordination and constructive working relations and attendance at relevant inter-agency coordination meetings or delegating to staff as appropriate.

· Represent AAH to donors’ representatives and other visitors to the project area.

· Support policy influencing (advocacy) activities at relevant local and regional levels, in consultation with the Country Director and Sector heads.

· Facilitate relationship building with AAH partner organizations and collaborative work in accordance with the AAH Programs.

Required Qualifications

· Minimum of a Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Project Management, Development Studies and Engineering (Mechanical and or Infrastructure), or equivalent study area related to humanitarian project objectives;

· Minimum of five (5) years of work experience in INGOs, Humanitarian and Project Settings;

· Significant Programme Management experience with extensive senior management exposure;

· Proven track record of leadership, with at least five (5) years’ progressive senior management experience in implementation and evaluation of humanitarian response programme;

· Experience with financial management and compliance with donor requirements with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

· Proven experience in project planning, grant management and supervising complex programs funded by major multilateral or bilateral donor agencies and government entities

· Substantial experience and knowledge of effective monitoring and evaluation of projects;

· Proven track record in Project management and resource mobilization;

Additional Skills & Competences

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 develop and manage and motivate a Country Programme team.
Demonstrated experience in leading multi-cultural and cross-functional teams.
Strong humanitarian relief experience and ability to work in an active conflict setting.
Excellent diplomatic skills with ability to create positive relations with staff, senior government officials, international organizations, NGOs and CBOs to enhance AAH-I’s programs;
Commitment to and understanding of AAHI Values, Vision and Mission.