Back Senior Programme Manager

Job Title: Senior Programme Manager.

Function: Management

Job Group: Programme

Duty Station: Juba with frequent travel to field locations

Administrative Line Manager: Head of Programme

Technical Line Manager: Head of Programme

Line Management Responsibility: Managing Programme Managers

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Program Manager plays a leading role in ensuring overall program coordination, quality and impact. The SPM also ensures that programs are evidence and needs driven, monitored closely and funded appropriately. Reporting to Director of Programme, the SPM is a member of the South Sudan Senior Management Team, and supervises a team of program managers.

ABOUT US

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic international, non-governmental organization which works to reduce violence and protect civilians in situations of violent conflict and its aftermath, mostly through the deployment on the ground of multinational teams of civilians.

In South Sudan, NP has 15 field teams providing thematically focused protection programming in direct protection, child protection, women peace and security, and social cohesion. The expansion of NP program in South Sudan would require a qualified Senior Programme Manager (SPM) who would be in charge of Project Cycle Management of all projects run in South Sudan. This requires high level of PCM experience.

The Senior Programme Manager should be able to provide strategic overview and scrutiny utilizing leadership and management skills and understanding of projects and programmes maturity, and complementarity. The SPM should be able to understand the wider objectives of Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) programme and have credibility with the environment and be able to influence others.

The Senior Programme Manager at this level would be expected to oversee a multiple project with mid-level risk or complexity. The project would rely on a number of external partners for its successful delivery, managing tight timeline with some flexibility.

ABOUT YOU

The SPM provides leadership in the design and delivery of NP programme, including mobilization and stewardship of resources and program quality and accountability, while upholding the principles outlined in the Core Humanitarian Standards. The SPM is responsible for the quality of programme delivery, the development of in-country expertise in each UCP Project, as well supporting the capacity development of both national and international staff. S/he establishes clear communications and direction for all programme staff, participates actively in program development, management, coordination, and strategy meetings with other members of the senior management team. The SPM actively engages with partners and stakeholders affect NP’s projects at national level.

The successful candidate combines creativity, innovation and demonstrated knowledge of protection, conflict prevention leadership and peacebuilding. S/he is experienced and skilled at converting protection, violence reduction and conflict analysis theory into practical, locally appropriate solutions that effectively increases safety and security of civilians affected by violent conflict. S/he has excellent interpersonal skills and flair for connecting and building trust with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. S/he is solutions focused, strategic and is driven by a keen interest and personal commitment to civilian protection.

• Programme strategy development (30%)

Lead on overall programme strategy development through consultations with technical leads and country leadership staff to support strategic growth. Remain informed of humanitarian response and funding trends in country, and provide regular updates on these trends.

• Management of Programme Team (30%)

Manage NP’s programme staff and ensure that all staff have relevant work plan, job description and that performance reviews take place. Ensure that NP’s management principles are disseminated and adequately applied.Ensure that NP policies and procedures are implemented.

• Programme development, contribution (15%)

Lead on programme development with colleagues in country program to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive, responsive proposals that are in line with country strategy and compliant with donors. Ensure that all internal and external reports are provided in a timely fashion in collaboration with relevant staff.

• Finance and administration (15%)

Coordinate with NP’s support services and Program Development to ensure that budgets are designed in accordance with needs. Ensure that expenditure are planned and properly managed through regular budget reviews, BVAs, flag out any under or over spending and propose corrective measures.

• Representation (10%)

Attend coordination meeting in coordination with Director of Programs; with Government partners, regional and local authorities; donors; national level working groups, Protection cluster local agencies etc. at all levels of project implementation as required.

Experience and technical competencies

• At least 7 years of international experience in an INGO Senior Management Position, with at least 5 years of experience in complex emergencies
• At least 4 years management experience in large scale programmes
• Proven experience in strategic development and program design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in protection, human rights, peace building, social cohesion, women peace and security.
• Experience with range of donors including USAID/BHA, SSHF, UNHCR, EU, SDC and ECHO
• Experience in working with national and international NGOs and local/government authorities
• Results-oriented management experience of a large, diverse and dynamic team, with strong leadership skills
• Practical and proven skills in negotiation and conflict resolution with a wide range of stakeholders essential
• Knowledge of refugee, IDPs, returnees, IHL, issues and related policies
• Analytical and problem solving skills and an ability to work independently and with a team needed
• University degree with advanced training/courses either in management, international relations, development studies, or other related field.
• Fluent in English, spoken and written. Female and Arabic speaking candidates are strongly desired

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education, Knowledge and Experience

• Post secondary education in refugee law, human rights, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, negotiation, mediation, human security or related
• 5-7 years work experience in human security, refugee or civilian protection.
• 3-5 years management experience in complex security environment.
• Demonstrated experience working with state authorities, negotiation and mediation
• Demonstrated ability to live, work and solve problems independently and effectively in remote, highly challenging locations
• Demonstrated ability to analyze conflict, security and political contexts

Skills

Independent Judgment/Analytical:

• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyse data
• Ability to manage information with discretion
• Demonstrable conflict analysis skills, identify entry points and design prevention and protection strategies

Interpersonal:

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and motivate and provide leadership to team and to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Solutions focused, creative problem solver
• Proven ability to build relationships with the full range of actors including government, chiefs, military, police and non state actors
• Genuine commitment and interest in living and working at the community level
• Flexibility and adaptability

English Language:

• Ability to interact confidently in English with colleagues and external contacts, to write documents and reports, and to present effectively relevant information

Information Technology:

• Good skills in Microsoft Office applications. Hardware IT skills a definite asset

Other Specialized Requirements

• This position will have to travel occasionally to remote field sites, including locations with no electricity or running water with limited access to communications.
• This field site is a complex security environment where conditions change rapidly – experience in insecure environments is essential to success in this position

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff at all levels. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. However, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or age, will be considered for this opportunity.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.