Back Area Coordinator, South Sudan

Concern South Sudan is an international humanitarian NGO working in South Sudan since 1998. It is dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries through the provision of health & nutrition, shelter, WASH and livelihood activities in the three States of South Sudan. Our current areas of operation are Juba, Kajo Keji, Bentiu and Nyamlel.

About the role: This is a 12 month, replacement role with unaccompanied terms based in Nyamlel, Northern Bhar el Ghazal (NBeG) State with frequent travel to field sites and Juba.

You will report to the Programme Director and will line manage Food Security and Livelihood Program Coordinator, Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Integrated Behavioral Change Coordinator, Gender and Protection Officer, HR Officer and Finance Officer.

Your purpose: The principal objective of the Area Coordinator position is to be responsible for the overall management and implementation of Concern’s programme in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG) and key activities include: coordination of the programme, including strategy development, budget and implementation oversight, liaison with government and other external stakeholders and to ensure the effective and efficient management of programme staff and programme logistics, in collaboration with the NBeG-based support team. The Area Coordinator is responsible for state-level representation and liaise with Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) Office, State Ministry of Health, State Ministry of Agriculture, County Commissioners’ Office and other line ministers as needed.**

The position holder will be responsible for the following;

Programme Delivery, Implementation and Coordination

· Ensure quality implementation of Concern’s integrated emergency response, recovery and development programmes including Health, Nutrition and Food Security and Livelihood programs along with any new thematic areas in NBeG State, according to international standards, Concern policies and best practices.

· Manage planning and implementation of all key activities at the area offices level ensuring alignment with Concern South Sudan Strategic Plan and Annual Plan and operations excellence priorities and standards.

· Authorize expenses, monitor spending, and make budget adjustments in line with operational and programmatic needs and donor requirements.

· Proactively and effectively manage resources and promote stewardship, ensuring program and operations teams’ staff have and optimize the appropriate human, financial, and material resources and tools.

· Ensure high-quality project implementation, management, and compliance with programmatic standards, policies and procedures through project review and quality control (comprehensive M&E systems, budget review and analysis). Promote documentation of program reviews, success stories, and lessons learned

· Monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all operational services (Human Resource, Finance, Supply Chain, Admin, ICT) are delivered with high quality in an efficient manner and adhere to policies.

· Manage risk and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, optimal utilization and maintenance of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material).

· Ensure expenditure tracking and donor reporting is done accurately and in a timely manner

· Monitor programme expenditure and budgets, and work with programme managers and the Programme Director to ensure resources are optimally utilized and spending is in line with Concern financial procedures and donor requirements.

· Support cross-sectoral periodic programme reviews in order to assess programme progress, service quality, 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, Accountability and do no harm philosophy.

· As a member of the management team contribute to the overall management and strategic planning of the country programme.

· Provide relevant inputs for the review of South Sudan’s Country Strategic Plan that spans from 2018 to 2021

· Work with the Programme Director (PD) to further build and maintain Concern’s emergency preparedness capacity including contingency planning and Preparedness for Effective Emergency Response (PEER)

· Support and coordinate field missions of visitors including the regional and HQ based staff and external visitors such as technical advisers, consultants, donors and media with the PD and CD, as required.

Security

· As Security Focal Point for NBeG, ensure implementation of the Concern Worldwide Security Management Plan and the Standard Operating Procedures and Contingency Plans, with close support from the Safety and Security Coordinator based in Juba.

· Ensure that Security Protocols are adhered to by all staff.

· Monitor and report on the security status in the programme area to the CD, Safety and Security Coordinator and PD.

· Organize and chair weekly and ad-hoc security meetings at State level and share minutes with the Security Focal Group, CD, Safety and Security Coordinator and PD.

· Regularly update the Security Communication Tree and share it with NGOs members and UNOCHA.

· Ensure that Concern Security staff list is updated weekly and shared with country office security focal person.

· Ensure that security information in NBeG is appropriately shared with Security Group Members and what is necessary for the entire staff team is shared with staff.

· Participate in the review of SMP on regular basis

Proposal Development, Reporting and Donor Compliance

· Support the timely internal monthly and donor reports as per the South Sudan funding tracker shared by the Programme Quality Unit.

· Work with the PD and Programme Quality Unit to ensure the timely and high quality development of programme proposal and concept notes for donors and for other interested parties, including government departments.

· Ensure meticulous records and ensure timely and accurate invoicing for all World Food Programme (WFP) grants

· Ensure quality annual reports, including reporting on Preparedness for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).

Team management

· Effectively manage talent and supervise teams, manage team dynamics and staff well-being, provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct repartees. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity.

· Contribute to the staffing plans and recruitment process of area office staff. Identify capacity strengthening needs for staff and coordinate with Program Directors and Systems Director to address capacity strengthening needs.

· Lead, manage and motivate the team, ensuring that they have clear objectives, work-plans and receive meaningful and regular feedback on their performance.

· Set performance objectives for staffs under your line management, and ensure that all staffs have performance review and development plan reviewed on regular bases, routinely monitor their performance and evaluate them at the end of the performance period.

· Strengthen and build up the programmatic, managerial and operational skills of the staff through on-job training, mentoring and coaching and feedback mechanisms.

· Recommend promotions using Concern’s talent spotting and disciplinary actions for Managers who are not performing or breach of code of conduct in consultation with the Programme Director.

· Address and mitigate staff complains and conflicts in coordination with the HR Officer, Programme Director and under the guidance of the Systems Director.

· Support PMs and HR department with timely recruitment to fill vacant positions.

· Lead induction of new staff members to ensure they receive adequate level of briefing and information to complete their tasks and responsibilities.

· Make recommendations on core staffing needs and training/capacity building needs for programmes and support including the development of a systematic staff development.

· Ensure that Concern’s policies - such as the Code of Conduct, Fraud and Whistle Blowing Policy as well as the minimum standards of humanitarian relief (ICRC Code of Conduct, Sphere, CHS) - are adhered to by all staff.

Representation

· As the primary representative of Concern in NBeG, strengthen existing and develop new relationships with local partners, government and community organizations.

· Represent Concern to donors, clusters and relevant coordination fora and meetings at state level, as well as at national level as required, and with government departments, donors, communities.

· Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders at state and county levels - including community leaders, government lines ministers, NGOs, UN agencies, community-based organizations to enhance cooperation and coordination.

· Ensure a strong and cordial relationship is built with local authorities and technical ministries for all sectors of interventions in NBeG state.

· Strengthen links with individuals or groups with influence and initiate dialogue with key influencers. Present influencers with appropriate information; facilitate contact between service providers or people in need and the influencers.

· Take a lead role in further developing a coordinated approach towards effective coordination of all partners in the areas of operation for a coherent approach in all emergency and outreach interventions.

Others

· Work in close collaboration with other members of the Concern team, sharing information and designing and implementing programme activities.

· Conduct ad-hoc trainings on How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (HCUEP) and other key Concern policies and strategies; this will help facilitate new staff to understand and adhere to the values of Concern

· Adhere fully to the commitments and rules of Concern’s Code of Conduct and Associated Policies and Safeguarding Policy), including the respect of confidentiality.

· Report to the appropriate manager, all violations of the CoC and Safeguarding policy, this is a mandatory duty of all staff.

· Other duties as agreed with the PD and the CD.

Your skills and experience will include:

· Master's Degree in Development Studies, International Relations, or relevant field required.

· At least three years’ experience of managing and coordinating field based operations preferably in food security, health and nutrition sectors in remote and fragile contexts

· Relevant experience in supervising, managing/coaching and training others

· Experience working with projects funded by multiple donors, including USAID, Irish Aid, FCDO, and UN agencies.

· Experience in stakeholder management, establishing, and strengthening community partnerships.

· Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

· Knowledge of procurement and general office administrative/management issues

· Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.

· Previous experience in project design, planning, monitoring and evaluation in development and humanitarian context

· Experience in dealing with local authorities, national and international NGOs/UN agencies

· Proven ability to take responsibility for security issues

· Ability to assess problem and recommend solutions

· Ability to motivate and develop skills of others

· Methodical and through thinking and approaches.

· Experience and ability to lead a multi-sectoral programme team of international and national staff working in a remote location

· Familiarity and knowledge of finance, logistics, base management and administration

· Experience in promoting community participation in programme design, implementation and evaluation

· Experience of institutional strengthening of government and local NGOs

· Experience of working in challenging, insecure areas and willingness to work and live in a remote environment