Deputy Country Director

Role & Responsibilities

Manage all aspects of the implementation and development of the programme and support functions to facilitate the implementation of the country strategy. Provide leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the Medair programmes. Play a key role in external representation, legal compliance grant management, programme coordination and team leadership.

Project Overview

Medair South Sudan is a multi-sector relief programme including: provision of Primary Health Care, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene Promotion, Water and Sanitation and NFI & Emergency Shelter distributions across fixed and emergency response locations throughout South Sudan. The purpose of Medair’s programme Sudan is to save lives and alleviate human suffering by working with vulnerable populations and providing essential life-saving health, nutrition, WASH, NFI/ES and mental health and psychosocial services.

Workplace & Conditions

Field based position in Juba, South Sudan, with frequent travel to the field locations. Take a look at Medair’s work in South Sudan.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Programme Leadership

• Deputise for the Country Director in his / her absence.
• Actively participate and contribute to the development and review of the SDS Strategy.
• Contribute and support the development of proposals and reports for the respective projects.

Operations Management

• Oversee programme implementation in consultation with the relevant senior field managers (programme and programme support) and in accordance with the project proposals, ensure objectives are met within the required time frames and budgets. Where necessary ensure preventative and corrective action is taken.
• Facilitate cross cutting communications with all country teams implementing and supporting the programme plans.
• Support field managers in all aspects of finance, administrative, human resource and logistics management, ensuring knowledge of and adherence to applicable operational systems, donor requirements and country programme strategy.
• Prepare and implement policies, procedures and guidelines, as appropriate and with the relevant field managers and GSO staff, so as to enhance the smooth running of the programmes through standardised procedures and improved support.
• Manage a comprehensive activity plan for the programme, including resource needs analysis, covering the time frames of the project proposals.
• Represent Medair at relevant national and local meetings with government officials, contractors, other NGOs, etc., reporting back as applicable to staff, field managers and GSO.

Financial Management

• Supervise the project budget management and expenditure, in collaboration with field managers and GSO staff, ensuring budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations.

Staff Management

• Line manage designated staff, including direct supervision and development.
• Hold regular team meetings and, through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure, develop and build an effective team.

Security Management

• Monitor the security status of the area(s) of operation on a regular basis, liaising as appropriate, with the NGO Forum, other NGOs, the UN, local authorities or other relevant security bodies. Make reports.
• Ensure all staff members and all visitors receive appropriate briefings and on-going training in security-related topics. Oversee staff adherence to security protocols, including security incident reports.

Quality Management

• Review, develop and implement (as applicable) systems to improve transparency and to detect and ultimately prevent loss or fraud.
• Ensure country programmes are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and HAP standards, WHO recommendations, etc.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as Management / Development Studies / Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience / Competencies

• 5 years post-qualification experience in a management position.
• 3 year post-qualification experience in a complex humanitarian emergency.
• Experience in dealing with donors and government officials.
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere, CHS and other international humanitarian guidelines.
• Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills. Experience in training/mentoring staff.
• Advanced leadership and management skills; ability to build trust and enforce procedures.
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills; committed to team-building.
• Self-motivated, energetic, hard-working, servant-hearted.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.