Deputy Country Director

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

January 2024. Full time, 6 months with possibility of extension.

Role Overview

In partnership with the Country Director, manage the development of new project and funding opportunities. Providing leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the Medair projects, the DCD also plays a key role in liaison with local authorities, donors and other relevant stakeholders, team leadership, program development and security.

Project Overview

Medair’s emergency response team was deployed in Sudan in February 2020 with the objectives of re-applying for country registration and to re-establish relationship with government authorities, donor agencies, UN partners, and INGOs.  The team has also been ascertaining information on gaps and priorities to understand the humanitarian context, and identifying programmatic gaps for potential interventions. As of March 2020, Medair obtained registration to start multi-sector programming in in Sudan. Location (s) for the implementation of project is being determined based on needs and assessments.

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

Project Management

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Sudan programme as part of the Senior Management Team. 
• Oversee the overall implementation of the designated project(s) in consultation with the Country Director and relevant Project Manager(s) and in accordance with the project proposals ensuring objectives are met within the required time frame and budget. Where necessary ensure preventative and corrective action is taken.
• Maintain an overview of the larger Sudan context with a view to the strategic development of new projects both in current sites and in other regions. This may include leading baseline needs assessments in other regions of Sudan.
• Support the Country Director, programme staff and PFM in the development and production of new project concepts and proposals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, donors, UN agencies and other NGOs) and represent Medair at meetings to facilitate and ensure cooperation and partnerships.
• Manage a comprehensive activity plan for the designated project(s), including resource needs analysis, covering the time frame of the project proposal. 
• Support relevant Project Manager(s) in day-to-day decision making.
• Ensure that regular monitoring and evaluation assessments against project objectives are conducted and reports are made to the relevant in-country or GSO managers or to donors.

Security Management 

• Guide the process, monitor and review security assessments for new locations and the security status of the area(s) of operation on a regular basis, liaising as applicable with local authorities, other NGOs, the UN, the NGO Forum and INSO, or other relevant security bodies. Make reports, as appropriate, to the Country Director.
• Ensure all staff members working for the designated projects and all visitors receive appropriate briefings and on-going training in security-related topics.
• Oversee and monitor staff adherence to security protocols, including security incident reports. 
• Ensure security plans and protocols for the programme locations are updated and implemented. 
• Assist the Country Director in managing security incidents, as required.
• Lead the Security Management Team in the Country Directors’ absence.

Financial Management

• Plan and construct the budgets for the designated projects, in collaboration with the relevant Project Manager(s) and Sector Advisers and in accordance with donor guidelines.
• Ensure that budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and within the timeframe, making any budget adjustment recommendation.
• Monitor the spending of the designated project(s) to ensure they operate in line with Medair and donor guidelines for financial accounting and reporting practices.
• Ensure procedures are in place and working effectively for all financial activities (cash management, deadlines and audit requirements).

Staff Management

• Provide coverage of international staff, particularly Country Director and Project Coordinator, during leave absences.
• Ensure all personnel related issues for the staff of the designated project(s) are carried out in accordance with Medair guidelines. This includes recruitment, appraisals, objective setting, development and training, disciplinary action, etc. If applicable, work with the relevant Project Manager(s).
• Ensure that staff receive training by providing coaching and through the promotion of capacity building of staff.
• Promote the health and security of the staff of the designated project(s) by ensuring the application of security guidelines, health and safety in the workplace and healthy living conditions and practices.

Quality Management

• Ensure designated project(s) are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards. 
• Follow the direction of the relevant advisors at GSO regarding quality, strategy and technical guidelines.
• Regularly assess and provide feedback and recommendations on the quality of the programmes and interventions during field visits. 
• Promote and use the Medair intranet, SharePoint and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Tasks may be assigned and modified 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). Knowledge of Arabic desired.

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• 5 years post-qualification experience in a management position, preferably in a relief environment.
• 3 years experience in project management.
• 3 years working in a field-based humanitarian context.
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines.
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• 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. Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner.
• Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills. Good report and proposal writing skills.
• Advanced leadership and project management skills. Committed to consultative and servant leadership.