UN Country Director Jobs in South Sudan
Description
About Mercy CorpsMercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been present in South Sudan since 1995, and acts on behalf of people who have become displaced and disenfranchised by the ongoing conflict.
With funding from a multitude of donors including the United Nations (UN), Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), UK Department for International Development (DFID), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), and Private Foundations, Mercy Corps has been able to empower people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.
In 2016, Mercy Corps had an impact on approximately 250,125 beneficiaries in South Sudan through our work focusing on the delivery of timely humanitarian interventions, improving food security and livelihood options, increasing equitable access to safe water and sanitation services, and providing access to safe and protective learning spaces. With emphasis on conflict-affected youth, women, as well as IDPs and host communities, we champion and lead state-of-the art relief and recovery approaches through gender mainstreaming, identification of root causes, adaptive management and resilience approaches.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps seeks a passionate, resourceful, visionary leader to manage the growing complexity of programs in South Sudan.
The Mercy Corps South Sudan Country Director is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully developing and managing all operations and programs in South Sudan.
The Mercy Corps South Sudan Country Director (CD) role is an exciting opportunity to influence key outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of millions of Southern Sudanese.
Mercy Corps’ approach, within South Sudan, addresses the immediate needs of critically vulnerable populations through emergency education, water and sanitation interventions while positioning for stronger relief to recovery programs that promote layering and sequencing of humanitarian and development activities.
S/he will harness the expertise, experience and ideas of Mercy Corps’ diverse program support teams, including members of the Policy & Advocacy, median and communication, technical support unit, leadership and organizational effectiveness, and procurement and logistics teams and channel them into impactful partnerships with country programs.
S/he will work with the country team to ensure that the team learns from experience, applies research and analyzes context to develop high impact strategies that address both the current crises as well longer-term recovery solutions.
Placing a high value on innovative solutions to humanitarian issues and creative partnerships, s/he pursues funding opportunities that strategically connect programs into a cohesive country portfolio.
With a total annual budget of approximately $7 million, the Country Director has full supervisory responsibility for the country team. The Country Director must be comfortable representing at high-level forums to influence and secure ongoing investment that will respond to an environment that is in rapid change. This is an exciting opportunity to influence key outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of Southern Sudanese.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy, Vision & culture
Communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.
Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
Lead the annual country planning process and provide strategic updates.
Utilize headquarter and regional technical support teams collaboratively.
Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome. Remain current with development thinking, including adaptive management, systems thinking,
complexity, social impact, value for money, etc.
Foster a culture of learning and adaptation where program and support actions evolve to become increasingly fit for purpose.
Strengthen and establish strong network with various stakeholders to gain humanitarian access.
Team Management
Oversee and strengthen a senior management team to share in the leadership and management of MC South Sudan.
Develop the capacity of the senior management team and foster their leadership in developing wider team capacity, towards rewarding career development.
Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
Promote accountability and learning, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect and trust where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary. Ensure that staff onboarding is timely, comprehensive and consistent.
Program Operations Management
Apply Mercy Corps’ Monitoring, Evaluating & Learning principles and framework to programs to ensure the country’s overall strategy includes effective reporting systems.
Ensure effective and transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.
Assure sound budgetary management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors.
Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guidance.
Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps policies and procedures - Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, Sphere standards, beneficiary accountability standards, ect.
Support a culture of adaptive management, high-quality program performance, and learning through improved data collection and analysis.
Knowledge and Experience
BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
6-8 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing (large, complex, transitional) humanitarian and development programs.
4 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
Demonstrated success managing and bringing together a multi-cultural team with team members in multiple offices.
Successful and proven representation, negotiation, communication and organization skills.
Demonstrated experience multi-tasking and success in securing funding for country programs.
Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USAID/OFDA, DFID, UN and ECHO grant management.
Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with (donor and/or government) grant management.
Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
Previous work experience in countries where travel to insecure areas is required, and management of programs in insecure locations.
Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster situations as they occur
Excellent oral and written English skills required.
Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
Previous work experience in East Africa in insecure environments preferred.
Success Factors
The successful Country Director will apply strong program implementation and team management skills while maintaining a high level of communication and coordination with a large variety of stakeholders, including donor representatives, local government officials, clan/tribal and religious leaders, and partner organizations.
S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level.
How to apply
Interested candidates should apply online by 9th September, 2018
For more information and job application details, see; UN Country Director Jobs in South Sudan
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