Area Coordinator - South Sudan

Department: Coordination
Position: Area Coordinator Contract duration: 6 months Location: Bentiu – Republic of South Sudan
Starting Date: ASAP

I. Background on ACTED

ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.

ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 3000 national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 350 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion. For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org

II. Country Profile

Capital Office : Khartoum National Staff : 125 (average mai 2011) Areas : 2 (Western Darfur, Southern Darfur) On-going programmes : 10 Budget : 4.2 M

In 2005, ACTED began work in West Darfur. The objective was to respond to the humanitarian crisis through the rehabilitation of road networks and the promotion of water access and sanitation. In 2010, ACTED’s mission in Sudan focused on ensuring emergency access to basic services, while also supporting early recovery and rehabilitation in both Darfur and South Sudan. In the Darfur region, ACTED continued to provide emergency water, sanitation and hygiene support in camp areas for internally displaced populations. The organization also expanded its support to vulnerable local communities in rural parts of West Darfur. In South Sudan, ACTED expanded its efforts to ensure access to basic services, such as water and sanitation services, and supported local efforts to increase agricultural production and food security in underserved areas. Sudan is poised to undergo historic changes in 2011. With the formal separation of the South expected in July, 2011 will be a critical year for recovery and development throughout the country. With high needs and new opportunities for collaboration with a burgeoning government and private sector, ACTED will expand significantly its intervention in South Sudan in 2011.

III. Position Profile

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Area Coordinator will be responsible for starting up and overseeing ACTED operations in Unity State, South Sudan. ACTED will be starting a food security and livelihoods program in newly-constructed refugee camps in 2 locations in northern Unity State.

1. Ensure ACTED Representation in the area of activity

   • Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities: o Participate in official meetings to ensure maximum visibility vis-à-vis provincial authorities.
   • Representation vis-à-vis Donors: o Establish and update contact details of potential Donors active in the area of activity; o Participate in Donor meetings at provincial level and communicate relevant information to the Country Director; o Circulate the Annual Report.
   • Representation amongst other international organisations: o Participate in inter-NGO Coordination meetings and those of UN Agencies (OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, etc.), and any other relevant inter-governmental institution at provincial level; o Ensure maximum visibility of the Agency amongst the NGO community at provincial level; o Lead the production of reports and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of information provided, as well as ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information. More generally, the project manager is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.

2. Contribute to the development of a global intervention strategy and to support its implementation at provincial level

   • Analyse the context and develop strategic plans, in consultation with the Country Director: o Gather and analyse information regarding opportunities and risk; o Define an operational strategy for finances and HR.
   • Implement the financial strategy: o Oversee drafting of projects and budget development; o Lead fund-raising and negotiations with Donors in the area of intervention; o Lead the application and adherence to contract terms and requirements; o Supervise overall financial commitments and financial risk.
   • Implement the operational strategy: o Supervise Project Managers of the area of intervention in project implementation; o Help the various teams in negotiations with provincial/local authorities and partners; o Ensure global coordination and complementarity amongst projects within the area of intervention; o Assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources.
   • Oversee reporting procedures: o Develop a reporting schedule with regard to Donor deadlines; o Plan and supervise the development of narrative and financial reports; o Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures. o More generally, communicate systematically to the Country Director the development of the area strategy and its implementation.
3. Oversee Staff and Security
   • Guide and direct the staff of the area of intervention: o Organise and lead coordination meetings; o Prepare and follow work plans; o Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts); o Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life; o Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of personnel according to the area development; o Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.);
   • Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff: o Follow recruitment procedures: plan recruitment needs in advance; draft ToRs for open vacancies; if necessary undertake phone interviews with candidates; When requested by HQ, undertake interviews of expatriate candidates living in the area of intervention.
   • Oversee staff security: o In cooperation with the Area Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform both Country Security Officer and Country Director of developments through regular written reports; o Update the security guidelines in the area of intervention; o Ensure that security procedures are respected by the whole staff.

IV. Qualifications:

• Master Level education in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development
• Extensive project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training
• skills) in emergency and/or development programmes
• At least four years of previous work experience in a high management position
• Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms
• Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset
• Ability to work well and punctually under pressure

V. Conditions:

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance
• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package

How to apply:

VI. Submission of applications:

Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org Ref : AC/SUD/RW

ACTED Att: Human Resources Department 33, rue Godot de Mauroy 75009 Paris FRANCE

Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 46

For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org