SOUTH SUDAN – Emergency RRM Program Manager (M/F) – Upper Nile

Desired start date: 01/04/23

Duration of the mission: 11 months
Location: Malakal, South Sudan

ABOUT THE MISSION …

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL (SI) has been operating in South Sudan since 2006, conducting activities in emergency and post emergency context, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, including IDP camp settings. Its expertise in running emergency WaSH intervention is highly acknowledged by all WaSH actors and donors. Furthermore, SI is implementing longer term WASH and FSL activities in multiple locations.

Despite significant deployment of humanitarian assistance, between February and March 2022, an estimated 6.83 million people (55% of the population) faced high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), of which 2.37 million people faced Emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4), and some pockets of Famine –IPC5. The situation will most likely worsen due to the reduced means of production, lack of resources, very weak means of communication, inflation and rising costs of living, and further floods forecasted in 2022-2023. Failure to restore agricultural production is not only driven by conflict-related displacements but also by increasing level of floods, disruptions of markets due to COVID-19, as well as restricted trade due to roads made inaccessible by insecurity or the rainy season. Moreover, climate crises that are likely to be affecting South Sudan such as droughts, flooding, and locust invasion will have repercussions on many levels: food security, access to water, population movement, and infrastructure (including shelters, markets) destruction. High food prices occasioned by depleted harvests as well as rain-induced deterioration of road networks that disrupts market supplies and functionality are also contributing to the high levels of acute food insecurity.

South Sudan is also witnessing further displacements within the country due to the sub-national and localized violence, which has increased since the beginning of 2022. The security situation is expected to deteriorate further as the transitional period following the signing of Revitalized Peace Process is nearing its end in 2023.

The mission’s estimated budget is around USD 3,5 million for 2023, and there are 40+ employees.

ABOUT THE JOB

ECHO funded ERRM (Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism) consortium is leaded by NRC, with DRC and Medair as co-implementer. In addition, 5 NNGO have been pre-identified, and response will be jointly implemented with them, when possible. SI will very probably join the consortium in 2023, and it is why we are looking for a Program Manager to implement the multi-sectoral assistance (WASH and FSL) to the newly affected community.

Role

The ERRM Program Manager will have to ensure a proper launch and implementation of RRM activities in Upper Nile, in close coordination with other consortium partners. He/She will also hire and train the ERRM team in this objective.

Main responsibilities:

Project relevance, quality and design

• Contribute to establishing assessments.

• Contribute to define Solidarités International’s local strategy and contribute to the annual programming by proposing new activities.

• Organize and facilitate evaluation missions.

• Propose a technical approach and a financial, human and logistical scope for the programs to be implemented.

• Write the technical annexes and chapters (including the logical framework) for the proposals.

• Implement activities in compliance with the annual operational strategy, Solidarités International’s technical requirements and the financial donors’ criteria.

• Evaluate the relevance of the activities carried out, as well as the effectiveness of the interventions and their appropriateness with respect to contextual developments and the populations’ needs.

• Propose adjustments to the programs, if necessary.

• Ensure that the programs under his/her supervision achieve the required results.

• Ensure that program objectives meet sustainability requirements and, if required, compliance with established norms and standards.

• Participate in building the RRM teams’ abilities with respect to techniques or new methodologies.

Implementation and operational monitoring

• Plan activities and RRM cycles for RRM (hiring, purchasing, etc.) in the light of established objectives.
• Used the project management, monitoring and evaluation tools for RRM, particularly the planning and monitoring timeline.
• Propose and implement quality criteria and monitoring indicators for RRM program.
• Support and advise to the base’s logistical department for the purchase of specific materials for RRM activities.
• Plan and supervise the RRM program implementation he/she is in charge of, being sure to meet deadlines and adhere to predefined technical specifications.
• Supervise and provide support for the RRM managers; monitor and evaluate the implemented RRM
• Anticipate any issues linked to carrying out the RRM activities and help to resolve any problems related to the RRM activities.
• Suggest any adjustments to be made to the RRM depending on contextual and indicator developments.
• Working with the administrative department, contribute to developing budgets relative to his/her program and monitor expenses and budget forecasts.
• Working with given project manager, draw up requirement statuses and cash flow needs.

Capitalization

• Use the capitalization tools proposed by Solidarités International.
• Participate in the centralization and distribution of procedures, guides and tools linked to the RRM activities.
• Capitalize on intervention methods and techniques and on the experiences acquired by Solidarités and other participants in the RRM activities.
• Write procurement and handover reports before the end of his/her contract and send it to the appropriate persons on the mission and at headquarters.

Personnel management

• Participate in validating the hiring of national technical staff for activities.
• Define the prerequisites for opened RRM positions together with the administrative department; adapt existing job descriptions if required.
• Greet and brief the expatriates working on the program.
• Identify and pass on any training needs for RRM teams.
• Set up technical training depending on RRM operational needs and identified training requirements.
• Manage and support the team under his/her responsibility.
• Lead work groups and thematic meetings.
• Evaluate and assess the performance of colleagues under his/her direct supervision.
• Ensure adherence to security regulations by personnel under his/her supervision.

Reporting / communication / representation

• Pass upward to the relevant persons any information on the security situation or on any event that could impact Solidarités activities and the safety of the teams.
• Draft RRM reports and any annexes relating to specific activities for the financial donor reports and/or amendments.
• Ensure that all reports are delivered on time and in the correct format.
• Maintain a local operational communications network and good relations with local and government authorities, financial donor representatives, UN agencies and other international agencies.
• In his/her assignment area, represent Solidarités International’s at meetings or forums concerning the RRM activities.
• Represent the organization when asked and/or delegated to do so.
• Reply to headquarter information requests regarding specific needs.

Main challenges:

• Volatile political and security context in the country.
• Humanitarian access impediments in multiple parts of the country.
• Developing collaboration and networking with local authorities and NGOs.
• Evolving nature of needs and interruption of the planned activities.
• Coordination with all stakeholders.

Responsibilities for the first 2-3 months:

• Participation to the Coordination mechanism at UNS level
• Ensure RRM can quickly deliver assistance to impacted communities
• Maintain and increase involvement of SI in WASH, FSL, S/NFI Clusters at UNS level
• Participate to the implementation of the consortium projects and ensure proper coordination with partners.
• Ensure the full recruitment and training/capacity building the new ERRM Team
• In link with Program Coordinator; improve the analysis of the needs
• Follow-up and update the SI management tools.

YOUR PROFILE

EDUCATION

Post graduate level in development / humanitarian studies.

EXPERIENCE

• Strong experience in managing ERRM response activities focusing on delivering aid within the shortest timeframe.
• Strong representation and coordination skills.
• Experience in and excellent understanding of the humanitarian sector (at least 2 years).
• Experience in programs coordination and / or emergency response (at least 1 years).
• Experience in protracted crisis context.
• Proven experience in insecure and complex access environment.
• Proven experience as an organized team and people manager.

Experience with SI is an asset.

Experience in remote management is an asset.

Previous experience in South Sudan is a strong asset.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

• Close coordination and joint implementation with others consortium partner.
• Close coordination with actors operational in the targeted area.
• Able to Follow up and develop strategy for the emergency response in new areas
• Ability and willingness to build up the capacity of the team
• Sound understanding in project cycle management (specifically MEAL and project development).
• Excellent networking capacities, including with key national and international stakeholders.
• Very good analytical, critical, and synthesis skills.
• Communication and diplomatic skills.
• Capacity-building and training, coaching abilities, and experience.
• Collect, manage, and filter extensive amounts of information in real time.
• Organization, focus on objectives and ability to meet deadlines.
• Proactive, solution-oriented approach to work.
• Excellent team player.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Pack MS Office
• Bilingual in English. Arabic is an asset.

PERSONAL ABILITIES

• Willingness to evolve in very fast paced environments and insecure environments
• Excellent stress management, and important flexibility; capacity to adapt to quick context/strategy changes

To apply, you need to be OK to work in a volatile, complex political and security environment.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried position
According to experience, starting from EUR 1980 gross per month (base salary EUR 1800 + 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.

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 and security

The position is based in Malakal, in the humanitarian hub. Living conditions are basics but including all key facilities. Numerous INGO, NNGO and UN agencies are sharing the hub and the social life is quite extended.

Upper Nile state is highly impacted by numerous and large-scale shocks, such as floods, conflict and epidemics. Operational environment is highly volatile and there is high probability of regular clashes and conflict.

COVID19

Please note that the COVID 19 pandemic can impact the movements (flights and visa issuance).

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. If possible, the vaccination should be done before departure, in order to reduce the future logistical constraints once on the field (administration of the 2nddose within a certain time frame).