Field Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

BACKGROUND: The Republic of South Sudan emerged from decades of brutal civil war rooted in disputes over religion, ethnicity, resources, governance and self-determination. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ushered in an era of post-conflict development efforts, which took on new dimensions following independence in July 2011. The security situation remains fragile and testing operational challenges abound. IRC operates in six of South Sudan's ten states with programs in several sectors, including: health, protection, livelihoods and gender-based violence.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director for Operations, the State Coordinator leads State level operations, provides technical and managerial oversight to field offices and builds the capacity of Field Managers. The State Coordinator ensures that strong partner relationships are maintained, in particular with State authorities, and that all IRC and donor policies and procedures are properly and consistently followed. The post requires 75% travel to field sites within the assigned States.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Under the supervision of Deputy Director for Operations, the State Coordinator directly supervises the managers/coordinators of field/project offices located within the State.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The State Coordinator is responsible to:

Field management and support

• Promote and support strong field offices management teams dedicated to support program quality and committed to transparent good stewardship of agency resources;
• Ensure coordination and collaboration across field offices in the State;
• Oversee the effective and efficient roll out and consistent implementation of all IRC SS policies and procedures in Logistics, finance, HR/administration, Safety and Security across all field offices within the State;
• Oversee the quality of leadership at field offices level to ensure the effective delivery of operational activities that collaboratively support program activities;
• Establish, monitor and review field office operational performance objectives against set standards, and communicate trends and recommendations
• Identify training needs for field staff and develop training programs in collaboration with SC, HR, Finance and IT staff and recommend to DDO;
• Liaise with Juba-based operations and other relevant units to ensure timely and efficient provision of field support;
• In coordination with Field Coordinators/Managers, monitor and report security status in all program areas within the State to DDO;

Representation

• Proactively engage with State authorities to communicate IRC's commitment to serve the population, to work cooperatively with local actors, to build local capacity and, in due time, to transfer responsibility to local administrators;
• Represent IRC in meetings with State level administration officials, UN, and local and international NGOs;
• In collaboration with program coordinators, strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies and local communities;

Program Quality:

• Collaborate with program coordinators/managers to ensure accomplishment of programmatic objectives and results that meet expected technical quality standards;
• Provide input on periodic technical reviews and support management of relevant change in program direction or focus within the State;
• In collaboration with program staff, provide guidance and technical oversight of State level partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that sound practices are implemented and identified lessons are documented and disseminated;
• Ensure integration between field offices at State level/
• Help ensure program quality through staff participation in project reviews, implementation of M&E systems, and staff/partner development and by promoting cross-learning opportunities with State key staff and initiatives;
• Assist the Field Coordinators and Field Managers in the provision of technical support to sector coordinators as appropriate.

Budget & Finance

• Monitor the use of grant budgets within the State for appropriateness and timeliness;
• Review and give input to budgets for programs proposed to be implemented in the State;

Administration and Human Resources

• Provide guidance and support to FCs/FMs in the performance of their tasks; ensure proper orientation of new FC/FM and performance management of all FC/FMs in the State;
• Guide FC/FM to assure quality and efficiency in acquisition, maintenance and use of office, program and accommodation facilities;
• Monitor/assure field office compliance with IRC HR policies.

Logistics/IT

• Assure proper procurement, storage, distribution and disposition of items purchased under grants in the State.

Security

• Provide oversight in the implementation of the security management plan, update and revised as appropriate and identify security training needs.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Masters degree in business administration or related field

Experience

• At least five years coordination/management-level operational experience at field locations in complex humanitarian situations;
• NGO experience and practical knowledge of donor requirements

Skills & abilities

• Excellent analytical ability and problem solving, organizational and communication skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work effectively in a demanding and ever changing environment;
• Demonstrated experience in the supervision of managers, technical experts and support staff and a commitment to building staff capacity;
• A team-builder able to effectively train and coach;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge in IRC SC, HR and finance policies/procedures desirable;
• Willingness to travel in very remote and war affected areas under adverse conditions
• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and heavy workload.
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility, adaptability, culturally sensitivity, sense of humor

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Housing: in IRC Guest House. Internet, DSTV on-site.

Security level: Yellow, stable with occasional local clashes

Work assignments with IRC in South Sudan are unaccompanied posts.