Location: Sudan (Juba, South Sudan)
Closing date: 21 Apr 2008
Job Description

The Deputy Director Programs plays a central role focusing on overall program quality and driving forward the Southern Sudan Area Plan in harmonization with the Sudan Strategic Plan and protecting its integrity. The DDP reports to the Deputy Country Representative and has close working relations with the Deputy Director Operations and Finance Controller.

The Deputy Director Programs is responsible for assisting the Deputy Country Representative in the planning and implementation of activities crucial to the success of all field programs, including government and donor relations, program design and evaluation, management of grants and budgets and supervision of program staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Programming

- Provide overall leadership and management to IRC Southern Sudan programs, protecting and enforcing strategic program direction and growth
- Lead the development of strategic work-plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections and tools for evaluation
- Review all programs through regular field visits and ensure that program implementation strategies are compatible with overall program goals and objectives as well as ensuring program meetings are held with program coordinators/managers; encouraging holistic approach and innovative program marketing strategies in post conflict operating environment
- Liaise with national and district authorities, donors, NGOs, and other operational partners in Southern Sudan and the field via attendance at meetings, consultations and other forums
- Ensure appropriate monitoring tools and methodologies are developed to measure impact and involvement of client groups in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation by the M&E Manager and Technical Coordinators; ensure full program integration for quality, alignment with Program Framework and D, M&E with emphasis on incorporation of lessons learned, and the use of stringent monitoring and evaluation systems Guidelines
- Ensure surveys/assessments and evaluations are conducted timely in accordance with donor specific requirements, information is analyzed and shared with all stakeholders; and appropriate actions are effected by program technical staff in collaboration with clients, and partners
- Review all program donor reports and new project proposals in collaboration with the Grants Department, technical coordinators, operations and finance departments; ensure completeness and timely submission
- In coordination with technical staff, identify viable, active local NGO partners; develop and implement capacity-building protocols for the transfer of IRC skills and experience to local government and local NGO/CSO partners
- In coordination with the Deputy Country Representative and the Grants Department, ensure the development of new program opportunities in line with IRC’s Mission Statement and IRC Sudan’s Strategic Plan

Grant Management

- Ensure timely budget development with field teams and Technical Coordinators, consultating with Finance and Operations; ensure all grants carry appropriate Technical Unit costs
- Ensure that program coordinators/managers actively review their BVAs each month and take an active role in managing the budgets according to donor and IRC requirements.
- Recommend interventions to correct any deviations that impact budget adherence; where necessary ensure timely and justified grant and /or budget revisions / realignments / (No) Cost Extensions in consultation with the Technical Coordinators;
- Ensure spending, procurement and travel plans are developed for each grant and closely monitored by the budget holder to ensure successful completion of programs within grant time-lines
- Encourage constructive and productive communication between program and operations staff in close collaboration with the Deputy Director, Operations in order to guarantee timely service
- Ensure program compliance with internal control policies and procedures

Human Resources

- Directly supervise Technical Coordinators and Grant Unit staff
- Determine personnel needs in consultation with the Technical Coordinators for field-level activities and in coordination with the Human Resources; Oversee recruitment of all program staff; recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of program staff in consultation with direct supervisors, Human Resources and the Deputy Country Representative
- Ensure the Performance Management System for all program staff is carried out as required
- Ensure Technical Coordinators develop and implementing approved staff development plans.
- Work with the Deputy Country Representative and Human Resources to establish a nationalization policy

Communication, Reporting and Networking

- Liaise with counterparts, UN agencies and NGOs; ensure IRC participation in respective sector specific coordination forums and help foster exchanges of program information, best practices and training materials with partners, involved communities and various line Government ministry officials
- Keep the Deputy Country Representative informed of all developments and issues through monthly reports, informal updates and written minutes documented for all external meetings
- Ensure regular communication between field program teams and Juba/Rumbek-based Technical and Grant Unit staff
- In coordination with the Deputy Country Representative liaise with IRC’s Technical Units for technical guidance on implementation and new program design

REQUIREMENTS

- Masters degree in relevant field (Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, etc) or equivalent experience
- Five years of overseas experience (ideally in sub-Saharan Africa), preferably in relief/development work with management and supervisory responsibilities in program, administration at senior management level
- Experience working with and coordinating with US, EU and UN donors, other INGOs, national NGOs and government agencies
- Proven ability at staff management, multi-tasking, time management, and flexibility, particularly in a multi-cultural environment
- Knowledge and understanding of project cycle, including project design and M&E systems and procedures
- Knowledge and experience in local NGO/local government capacity-building; Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software programs
- Computer literate in common software packages (MS Word, Excel, EPI INFO and Power Point)
- Strong writing and communication skills, fluency in English essential. Arabic, Dinka, Nuer language skills advantageous
- Innovative and creative problem solver; Extensive travel required

Additional Qualities:

- Proven experience in the design and implementation of qualitative and quantitative assessments in community and clinic settings
- Knowledge of best practices in project design, implementation and community participation techniques; civil society development and community driven reconstruction in post conflict settings
- Demonstrated skills and experience in NGO administration, finance, and logistics systems
- Performance Management knowledge
Vacancies Contact
To apply for this position please go online to http://www.theIRC.org, click jobs under Sudan program.