Forcier is a multi-sector research and monitoring & evaluation firm delivering the highest quality research in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Our core services include program evaluations, needs assessments, opinion polling and third party monitoring for UN Agencies, NGOs, governments and private sector clients operating in post-conflict and challenging environments. Forcier currently operates two regional offices in Africa in South Sudan and Mozambique, with satellite offices in Lesotho, DRC, Uganda, and Kenya.
Job Summary:
Forcier is seeking a Director for its South Sudan Business unit based in Juba, South Sudan. The Director is responsible for the overall development and management of the unit and serves as the direct line manager for the Director of Research, Director of Operations, Human Resources Manager, and Business Development Manager. They are responsible for overall project management and ensuring the business unit is run efficiently and effectively.
The Director oversees the project and client process from identifying a business opportunity to project closure. They are translating the client needs to a final high quality product in a timely manner. They provide mentoring and guidance to the research side of the unit on a range of topics including client communication, project management and staffing, fieldwork management and budget management. They ensure standard operating procedures are followed in the operations and finance departments, while looking for new ways to build capacity and bring innovation to these departments. They are responsible for contributing to the success of business development in their unit through the provision of in-depth knowledge of the resources (time, money and people) needed to complete a project in various contexts. Overall, the Director is responsible for ensuring the success and stability of the unit and its activities throughout South Sudan.
Ideal Match:
Forcier is looking for a Director who is a generalist and a dynamic leader with knowledge of research, personnel management, financial management, and business development. The Director must approach the challenge of implementing projects in complicated and complex settings with excitement, persistence and a commitment to quality. An ability to manage a variety of people and competing priorities simultaneously, while also championing accountability, respect and fairness is essential; being a strong mediator and manager of both internal and external expectations is vital to success in this position. They must demonstrate an aptitude for building capacity and tackling difficult situations with creativity and flexibility. Our ideal candidate is a proactive leader, strong communicator, and passionate problem solver. This position is well suited for someone who is hands-on, eager to grow their career and stress resistant in the fast paced work environment.
Daily Tasks:
Closely collaborating with the Director of Research and Research Officers in the unit to ensure research is being conducted in a high-quality manner and according to the agreements made with the clients.
Maintaining overview over all projects and resources.
Monitoring and approving all budgeted project expenditures, operations expenditures, and wages and salaries expenditures.
Working closely with the business development team to identify opportunities and ensure proposals are dynamic, competitive and budgeted accurately.
Representing Forcier South Sudan to current and potential future clients.
Overseeing the finance department in the unit in terms of projecting cash flow and approving expenses.
Identifying and introducing innovative policies and procedures related to finance, operations and research management.
Building capacity of the team and attracting new staff on ongoing basis.
Ensuring the unit is compliant with all standard operating procedures and ensuring priorities across the unit are aligned.
Overseeing the compliance of the unit with local laws and legal obligations.
Ensure a positive corporate culture and environment within the Juba office and unit staff in other locations.
Identifying gaps and filling gaps in all aspects of the office management.
M.A. degree (or equivalent) in business administration, international development, international relations, social science or related field with 3+ years of relevant work experience or B.A degree (or equivalent) with 6+ years of relevant work.
Required Skills:
Experience managing different projects simultaneously in a fast-paced industry such as the consultancy sector;
Experience managing diverse, multi-cultural teams of staff and consultants for the successful delivery of projects;
Experience with research management;
Fluency in written and spoken English;
Experience in management of operations or logistics, finance and budgeting, and personnel management;
Experience in client/donor communication and proposal review/writing;
Attention to detail in all aspects of their work from client communications to budget review;
Ability to maintain the overview of time, money and resources in a fast-changing environment;
Ability to work entirely independently in a stressful environment;
Ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines;
Creativity and an ability to think outside the box to conceptualize projects, design systems implementation strategies, and coordinate limited resources;
Strong communication skills, cultural sensitivity, curiosity, sense of humor and a ‘can do’ attitude;
Excellent knowledge of Office package, including good skills in Excel.
Preferred Skills:
Experience working and living in South Sudan.
Knowledge of a financial/accounting system;
Experience in business development department.
This vacancy is archived.