Duration: 1 year with possibility of Extension

Start date: Immediate

Deadline application: 21 August 2024

Note: This is a Senior Management position and a re-advertisement of the position. We advise all who qualify, are highly motivated and interested, to apply. We invite those who applied before, are qualified and still interested, to apply again.

ABOUT ISRAAID

IsraAID is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian aid agency dedicated to supporting populations in crisis around the world. Founded in 2001, IsraAID has worked in emergency and long-term development settings in 60+ countries. IsraAID’s vision is to build a world in which individuals, communities, and institutions have the resilience to navigate today’s crises, withstand tomorrows, and live sustainably. Today, its operations span across several sectors of expertise from both the humanitarian aid and international development areas, including protection, education, WASH, health, and livelihoods, working on sustainable solutions for disaster risk reduction and response. IsraAID has been operating in South Sudan since 2011 and currently has running projects in Central Equatoria State and potential projects in Upper Nile State and Northern Bahr el Ghazal. IsraAID South Sudan intends to expand to other counties and states. IsraAID South Sudan is currently implementing programs in Protection and Health integrated with WASH. IsraAID South Sudan will, besides geographically expanding, diversify its operations to include Livelihood projects.

SUMMARY of HoP POSITION:

IsraAID is looking for a Head of Programs (HoP) for the South Sudan Country Office. Based in Juba with frequent travel to project locations, the HoP will assume direct responsibility for the overall management and coordination of the various components of the IsraAID South Sudan Program. S/he provides overall leadership and direction to program staff and support to the Country Director to strengthen the program strategies & development, program implementation & quality, partnerships, and accountability in accordance with IsraAID and donor policies.

The primary function of the HoP is to be the deputy to the Country Director. To support the Country Director in supervising the implementation of programs and provide technical oversight to all projects.

As part of the senior leadership team, the HoP plays a responsible and active role in planning, designing, implementation, development and administration of the country program and strategy under the leadership of the Country Director.

In line with IsraAID’s global strategy the HoP will often take the lead and guide the development and implementation of sectoral programs/projects in South Sudan. In this capacity she/he will supervise, lead and support Technical Specialists in designing sound proposals, concrete implementation plans for each project, provide budget insight and ensure donor reports are of excellent quality and prepared in a timely manner. She/he will identify needs for specialized expertise and work under the supervision of the Country Director to fill those gaps. She/he will utilize and adapt existing program management tools under supervision of the Country Director, in collaboration with the Programs department at HQ.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Management

• Reporting to the Country Director, proactively oversee all projects in country through all components of the project cycle management providing ongoing managerial support to Program manager(s) and project managers;
• Ensure that all program, projects and activities have clear and realistic objectives, identifiable direct/indirect beneficiaries, have concrete, realistic and impact-oriented implementation plans;
• Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation processes and procedures are followed for each project for qualitative and ethical implementation of the projects;
• Ensure that proper risk assessment and mitigation strategy is developed for each program, project and activity and constantly monitored;
• Effectively monitor budget implementation against programmatic/project targets, with support from HQ and Country Director;
• Take a lead and in collaboration with all relevant staff, oversee timely reporting for all program/projects according to internal IsraAID and donor requirements, ensuring strict compliance with donor contract requirements and reporting deadlines.
• Lead in organizing projects meetings, covering all aspects of project planning and implementation.
• Ensure that all programs, projects and activities are designed and implemented according to IsraAID’s and international programmatic protocols, guidelines and standards, and that program planning and implementation are conducted in accordance with core ethics of intervention;

1. Staff management and Professional Technical Support to Staff

• Maintain regular communication with Country Director, other Senior Management Team members and field staff;
• Manage and support program teams, directly supervise Technical Coordinators & positions under the supervision of HoP and ensure reporting lines are observed;
• Manage staffing for program/project: design staffing plans for each program in coordination with Country Director, initiate relevant recruitments while ensuring adherence to approved budgets;
• In collaboration with HQ sector lead and supervise specialized technical staff in South Sudan, support project managers to ensure quality of content development for each project;
• Provide on-going technical support, on-the-job training, and oversight to all program staff;
• Determine training needs for program staff and facilitate the participation of these staffs in necessary trainings in order to build capacity.

3. Program Planning, Design and Strategy Execution

• Support Country Director in developing Country Strategic plan(s) and operational plan(s);
• Ensure effective implementation of the IsraAID South Sudan strategic year plan;
• Under supervision of the Country Director lead the development of concept notes, project proposals, budgets, and communication materials to expand the program portfolio;
• Identify and collect best practices to contribute to program experience and design.

4. Administrative and financial management:

• Ensure all budgeting, administrative and procurement requirements, related to the programs are met in a timely and effective fashion;
• Provide managerial support to Project Managers to ensure the coordination of timely delivery of program supplies and that expenses are within budget;
• Ensure finance and procurement procedures are operational, effectively used and followed in all programs;
• Constantly coordinate with finance department about budget planning, monitoring and reporting and monitor program spending versus program goals and timeframe.

1. Coordination with external partners

• Ensure that all program decisions are taken in coordination with partners, donors, relevant government structures and community.
• Ensure non-duplication of programs with other partners operating in same locations and in similar sectors of activity.
• Attend coordination meetings, other relevant meetings with authorities, donors and other stakeholders as required by the Country Director.

1. Compliance & Ethics

• Understanding of and commitment to the following principles: cultural sensitivity, local ownership, sustainability, inclusiveness, local partnership, non-discrimination, do-no-harm, and apolitical approach; codes of conduct against sexual exploitation and abuse; and against child exploitation and modern slavery.
• Commitment to abide by IsraAID’s and the UN’s codes of conduct and principles.
• Commitment to abide by IsraAID’s security policy.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Batchelor’s Degree required. Preferred: Master’s Degree or 2 years equivalent work experience in International Development, Protection, Public Health, Project Management, Humanitarian Assistance, Social Science or related field;
• Over 5 years of progressively responsible international experience in program management leadership and design with at least two years at senior management level preferably in African countries in conflict or post-conflict settings;
• Specific experience in Protection required;
• Knowledge of the regional political and social context;
• Demonstrated experience and skill in proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners and working with- and coordinating with a variety of donors including UN agencies, preferably including UNICEF and UNHCR;
• Excellent English communication including writing, analytical and strategic thinking skills, with proven ability to create and utilize qualitative and quantitative analyses in organizational planning;
• Able to consistently meet tight deadlines and work in stressful environment.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently following consultative processes;
• Experience in directly managing and supervising diverse, multinational and multi-cultural teams;
• Experience in staff capacity building and ability to motivate staff effectively;
• Creativity and ability to work with limited resources.

Qualities top candidates will possess:

• Enthusiastic and energetic, eager to take up the responsibilities;
• Desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally;
• Able to cope and lead in a challenging environment;
• Able to work independently while being a strong team player;
• Ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment;
• Capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality program & projects;
• Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results;
• Strong abilities to facilitate, mediate and play a supporting role;
• Ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy;
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required;
• Demonstrated experience and ability to represent the organization and negotiate IsraAID’s interests with a diverse range of stakeholders: government officials, national and international organizations, professionally and appropriately.

Experience in the Africa region is a strong advantage

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include a candidate declaration and reference check focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

Studies show that women and people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications – yet few people ever meet every qualification. If that applies to you, we encourage you to break that statistic and use it.