SOUTH SUDAN – COUNTRY DIRECTOR (H/F) – JUBA

Desired start date: ASAP
Duration of the mission: 2 years
Location: Juba

ABOUT THE MISSION

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL (SI) has been responding to humanitarian needs in South Sudan for over 16 years. In 2022, we will continue working alongside communities in some of the hardest to reach areas. SI provides clean water, sanitation and other lifesaving activities, while supporting vulnerable communities to strengthen their resilience to shocks, rebuild their livelihoods, and regain a sense of normality in some of the hardest of circumstances.

In 2022, the mission’s estimated budget is of USD 2,5+ million, and there are 3 bases, for 40+ employees.

To learn more about the South Sudan mission, please click here.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Country Director is the head of the South Sudan mission and is SI’s official representative in South Sudan. As such,

• S/He is in charge of the smooth running of the mission.
• S/He proposes mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated.
• S/He monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with SI’s charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures.
• S/He mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources.
• S/He coordinates the teams in place and ensures their security on the mission.
• S/He is the direct liaison with HQ

S/He is under the direct management of the Head of Desk at HQ, with whom s/he collaborates closely on a daily basis.

S/He has 7 direct reports, including the Senior Management Team at coordination level.

Daily activities

• Coordination and strategic orientation

• Relevance and operational quality / operations monitoring

• Resource management

• People and team management

• Security management

• Relationships with financial donors / fund-raising and partners

• At the moment, SI’s potential partners are NRC, NP, Intersos, DRC, IMC, Malteser International

• Internal and external communication

• External representation

Strategic axis of SI’ SSU / Country programming :

1. Preparedness and response to acute multi-sectorial needs, with an integrated approach
2. Improvement of the basic services and livelihood opportunities through multi-sectorial/integrated programs to increase resilience via mid-term projects

Security situation in SSU:

• Volatile scenario, especially in Jonhglei and Upper Nile
• Access challenges, especially during rainy season, due to underdeveloped road infrastructure as well as local authorities seeking to benefit from NGO presence
• Presence of multiple armed actors and inter-communal violence in the different parts of the country
• Criminality is high in Juba, some movement limitation in Juba

Key priorities:

1. To continue looking for the funding of activities in all 3 areas of implementation to stabilize the coordination and field bases until the end of 2022 and beyond.
2. Identify new possible areas of intervention, based on needs, analysis of SI’s added value and funding prospect.
3. Identify new donors to diversify the funding portfolio.
4. Continue looking for funding for emergency response (axis 1)
5. Support the Senior Management Team in their coordination roles
6. Oversee the implementation of the annual strategy of 2022-2023
7. Regularly represent SI with donors, local authorities and Coordination forum
8. Be the main security focal point for the whole mission

YOUR PROFILE

Education & experience

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in law, political science, international organization management or project management or a relevant field
• 5-6 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 3 years in the humanitarian environment
• Minimum of 1 year of experience as Country Director or equivalent, developing and managing sustainable relief programs (conflict and post-conflict settings), with specific skills in strategic planning, assessment, program design and development, and monitoring and evaluation + 1-2 years as coordinator of humanitarian actions
• Proven experience in conflict contexts and insecure environments, with consequent experience in supporting emergency response

+ Experience with SI is an asset.

+ Experience in South Sudan is a plus.

Specific skills

• Excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills and the ability to multi-task and support and/or fill multiple positions at one time
• High management abilities, and particularly team management skills and capacities to provide distance technical support
• Significant experience of building and supervising large and culturally diverse teams of expatriate and national staff, and interest in capacity building of people.
• Significant knowledge and experience of grant writing and management for major institutional donors, including: EU, BHA/USAID, ECHO, UN Agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, etc.) and pooled funding mechanisms, such as CHF
• Ability, acquired through experience, to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend SI’s interests with a diverse range of government officials, departments and ministries, civil society organizations, and other international organizations
• Strong initiatives and improvisation capacities
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members
• Good stress management
• Important flexibility and adaptability
• Used to work in political and security volatile environment

+ Computer literacy with very good command of MS Office Suite

Language

• Bilingual in English.

+ Arabic is an asset.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried position
According to experience, starting from EUR 3 300 gross / per month (base salary EUR 3 000 + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) + a monthly Per Diem of USD 700.

SI covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Housing package to be discussed.

Breaks

During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every 3 months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with USD 850 allocated by SI). In addition to these, SI adds 1 additional rest day per month of work, i.e. 12 additional days off for a one-year contract.

Insurance package
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package, which covers all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system, including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

Living conditions

• Team guest house living
• Individual self-contained room available
• Electricity for 24 hours
• Internet and Phone network available in Juba and all bases (no phone network in Upper Nile and Jonglei)

COVID19

Safety and security rules are regularly reviewed and adapted to the situation, to minimize the exposure to the COVID 19, in constant monitoring and adaptation to the context evolution. This include social distancing, teleworking and strict hygienic rules, such as regular handwashing etc.

Please note that SI strongly recommends its staff to get the vaccination against COVID 19, using WHO-approved vaccines.