Manager, Country Programs

International Medical Corps has worked in Sudan since 2004, providing health, nutrition, protection and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Despite heavy fighting throughout Sudan, our staff members are continuing to provide services and support where it is safe for them to do so in Blue Nile, South Kordofan, Kassala and three states in Darfur.

The successful candidate will need to have experience successfully managing large multi-sector donor funded programs in a rapidly changing environment.

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY: The Country Program Manager is responsible for supporting the implementation of program activities, supervising of program staff and field teams, ensuring correct use of program resources, and administration of overall programs.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation:

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management
• Work closely with Country Programs Coordinator to determine the operational needs of the program within the scope of the grants
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country wide strategy development.
• Analyze data gathered and propose alternative strategies of program implementation
• Implement and maintain prescribed reporting systems to monitor and evaluate the objectives, indicators and outcomes of the country programs
• Contribute to production of proposals for new projects
• Confers with and advises staff, and others key stakeholders to provide technical advice, problem solving assistance, answers to questions and program goals and policy interpretation;
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impact.
• Conduct regular field visits to evaluate program effectiveness, to develop improved methods; share findings with the program coordinator to advise the general direction of the program
• Convey relevant information from program coordinator and senior management to program staff in order to keep them informed and engaged in strategic direction of the program
• Work with field site teams and logistics to procure program supplies within program budgets
• Compile program and donor reports and assists with development of future programs as needed
• Work with staff to produce timely and high-quality data and reports.
• Liaise closely with local authorities, donor and partner agencies to ensure program compliance with donor policies and regulations and complementary with other agencies’ efforts
• In collaboration with grants and management personnel, identify funding opportunities and contribute to the design of new program concepts. Draft concept notes, working budgets, assessment reports, and results framework.
• Maintain flexibility to take on added responsibility as and when needed
• Where or when applicable, work closely with IMC and other external implementing partners to determine the operational needs of the program within the scope of the grant.
• Where or when applicable, in coordination with IMC and other external implementing partner focal points, set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives

Human Resources Management
• Supervise staff to ensure their smooth and effective operations
• Assist in the selection and training of qualified program staff and recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of staff
• Ensure ongoing capacity assessment of program staff
• Lead the development of capacity building plans to all program staff
• Monitor program staff performance according to their job description and set objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide technical oversight and training to staff, with an emphasis on national staff capacity building.
• Ensure compliance to local labor laws including working hours
• Maintain open lines of communications with all field staff

Training/ Capacity Building
• Determine training needs for the programs’ staff
• Train national staff in order to build capacity and ensure sustainability of programs
• Advocate and plan for professional development for all staff

Working Relationships
• Maintain frequent communication with Program Coordinator to ensure program activities and objectives are communicated
• Maintain regular coordination with program support officer to ensure smooth operational processes are in place and are supporting the implementation of the program activities
• Work with Logistics staff to ensure the coordination of programs supplies are within budgeted targets
• Attend coordination meetings which are relevant to country activities
• Interface with national government and relevant agencies as necessary

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
• Integrate MEAL approaches and activities into program plans and operations, outlining how MEAL will be implemented at each stage of the program cycle.
• Support country MEAL team in establishing MEAL system, data collection tools, and a formal mechanism to capture, monitor, respond to and act on feedback and complaints from communities.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers receive basic communication and complaint handling skills training.
• Ensure their staff know how to receive, record, and refer (to the CBFRM) feedback and complaints should they be approached by a member of the community.
• Ensure their staff know how to provide basic informed consent (explaining what happens to feedback/complaint, timeline, how they can contact IMC, how/when they should receive a response from IMC, rights/limitations regarding anonymous complaints, etc.).
• Based on findings, lessons, feedback and assessment data generated from MEAL system, identify and utilize the best approaches to provide communities with relevant and actionable life-saving and life-enhancing activities and information.

Security
• Ensures application and compliance of security protocols and policies
• Work closely with Security Management Teams and CD to ensure that Standard Operating Procedures and assist in the revision of security plans when requested.

Representation
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders – including community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community-based organizations and other International Medical Corps sectors to enhance cooperation and coordination
• Attend coordination meetings which are relevant to country programs
• Represent the organization at task force meetings, assessment missions, camp coordination meetings, UN coordination meetings, INGO coordination meetings as appropriate
• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the organizations Code of Conduct, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to internal and external actors

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

Job Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree in related field is preferred. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Typically, 5+ years of relevant and progressive NGO project and personnel management experience in humanitarian or development contexts, including a minimum of 2 years of international work experience in an operations management role
• Experience in project management in the humanitarian sector
• Profound cross-cultural awareness and insight into health care issues
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently
• Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations and frustrations
• Ability to relate to and motivate staff effectively
• Familiarity with design and programming processes of different donors
• Ability to work collaboratively with donor agencies, international organizations, and other foreign and domestic government officials and partners.
• Skills and knowledge in program sustainability and capacity building, public private partnerships and project monitoring and evaluation (both quantitative and qualitative methods)
• Creativity and the ability to work with limited resources
• Excellent decision-making skills
• Team player and strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Proficient in computer applications, especially with MS Word and MS Excel, MS PowerPoint
Additional Technical or Language Requirements

• Experience managing programs in similar context an advantage

Code of Conduct

As applicable to this position, an individual must promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Staff are also responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report. If this is a supervisory position, one must set an example of ethical behavior through one’s own conduct and oversight of the work of others; ensure that those who report to you have sufficient knowledge and resources to follow the standards outlined in the Code of Conduct & Ethics; monitor compliance of the people you supervise; enforce the Code of Conduct & Ethics and International Medical Corps’ policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and the Protection from Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, consistently and fairly; support employees who in good faith raise questions or concerns.

Safeguarding

It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, or LGBTI individuals; and any form of trafficking in persons.

Equal Opportunities

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

All offers of employment at International Medical Corps are subject to satisfactory references and background checks. International Medical Corps participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme from the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR). In accordance with this, we will request information from an applicant’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.