Africa Regional Manager

Position description

ACAPS is an independent analysis provider. We are an independent analytical voice helping humanitarian workers, influencers, fundraisers, and donors make better-informed decisions and respond more effectively to disasters.

What we do 

We inform crisis response: We aim towards reshaping the humanitarian narrative by providing timely and independent needs analysis, data, training, and methodological tools while advocating for a more evidence-based response to crises.

We collaborate with honesty and creativity: ACAPS maximises synergies with humanitarian responders, specialised analytical organisations, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society and encourages them to implement a collaborative approach.

As humanitarian needs continue to rise steeply, there is an increasing parallel demand in the sector for high-quality, independent analysis to guide resource prioritisation and programmatic responses. ACAPS is uniquely positioned in the humanitarian architecture to respond to these challenges, operating as a global public good to the humanitarian sector by providing independent, multi-sectoral analysis to enable humanitarian stakeholders to better understand and address the needs of crisis affected populations across the globe.

ACAPS is currently at an exciting stage of its growth trajectory, with a fast-expanding decentralised global team. Due to an increased awareness of ACAPS value add to the humanitarian sector, ACAPS now operates analysis hubs in Afghanistan, Yemen, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Sudan. This is in addition to multiple global teams providing analysis spanning over 150 countries and 100 active crises worldwide. ACAPS donor portfolio is also expanding, with current active funding from key institutional donors such as BHA, FCDO, SDC, GFFO, GAC, SDC, NMFA and others.

In order to better cover regional analysis needs as ACAPS grows in Africa, ACAPS has initiated a regionalization process. This process will drive integration of our analysis capacities at the regional level, covering both country-focused and regional projects. This role is a new role created to support ACAPS regional approach in Africa.

ACAPS is a project hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and governed by a Consortium of NRC, Save the Children and Mercy Corps. ACAPS operates with a high degree of autonomy, maintaining editorial control and independence of all analytical products.

General Position Summary

The Africa Regional Manager is the lead ACAPS representative for Africa, which currently includes projects in Sudan and Ethiopia. The Regional Manager is responsible for developing and delivering on ACAPS Africa strategy and overseeing the organisation’s work in Africa, including delivery of the various analytical workstreams via existing or new projects, line managing team members in the hub, and finally representing and positioning ACAPS vis-à-vis stakeholders in the region. The priority for the successful candidate will be focused on stakeholder/donor engagement, identification of new country/regional opportunities for the development of ACAPS in the region and the set-up of efficient operational processes.

The Regional Manager will be a seasoned leader with proven operational experience alongside a deep appreciation of the impact that accurate, independent analysis can have on humanitarian outcomes. As this role is new to ACAPS and the Africa region, the Regional Manager will be a creative problem-solver with experience of change management to drive and embed this regionalization process. 

The Africa Regional Manager reports to the Chief Operating Officer, with a close relationship to the ACAPS Chief Analyst on the strategy for analysis and quality of analysis production. The Regional Manager will specifically rely on the Regional Analysis Manager for the design and implementation of this strategy and quality assurance.

Success Factors 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership and management skills and be a superior communicator. S/he will have strong problem-solving skills, a robust ability to quickly assess program performance across the Regional Hub and identify areas for improvement/adjustment. The successful candidate will have strong emotional intelligence and, given the scale of change ACAPS is experiencing, will be a supportive leader with strong communication and coaching skills. S/he will be able to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work environment.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

The Regional Manager will have a key role in supporting and driving change management initiatives to support the establishment of this new role, and any relevant adjustments to ACAPS team structure and approach in Africa. This role will lead and supervise ACAPS teams in Africa, working closely across ACAPS to ensure effective connections between support teams, our country level operations and our global analysis initiatives. The Africa Regional Manager will not only ensure delivery of an ACAPS Africa strategy for today but also shape our forward direction in Africa to ensure our continued impact within an evolving and dynamic humanitarian landscape.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Lead the strategic planning process to establish and evolve ACAPS regional strategy 
• In close collaboration with the Senior Regional Analyst, and the Chief Analyst, ensure that the Hubs’ analytical focus is on salient humanitarian issues in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity and impartiality
• Lead, inspire, and develop a team of in country and remote analysts and supporting consultants. promoting collegiality, innovative thinking, and high achievement
• Participate as an active member of the ACAPS Extended Management Team and contribute towards ACAPS overall strategy

Program Quality & Development 

• Ensure the efficient and effective implementation of project activities in line with ACAPS guidelines
• Ensure efficient coordination with cross-organisation functions including communication, data analytics and analysis coordination
• Monitor project progress, including timely achievement of target activities; ensure that MEAL processes are implemented, and that sound financial management, reporting and compliance are implemented
• Supervise project managers in their responsibilities (i.e. project plans, including timelines, milestones and deliverables)
• Regularly monitor the status of identified risks and be able to detect new risks or changes in the likelihood or impact of existing project risks
• Provide regular project updates and quarterly reports to donors, showcasing progress, challenges and impact
• Oversee the development of new programs and existing program growth

Partner Relations, Fundraising, and Business Development 

• Develop and lead Africa’s regional fundraising strategy, in partnership with ACAPS Business Development Manager
• Pro-actively drive fundraising efforts for ACAPS programs across current and future locations in Africa
• Develop and maintain strong relationships across a diverse range of operational and donor partners, with the purpose of improving information exchange, relevance of the Hub’s analysis products and maintaining awareness of key humanitarian trends and issues
• Maintain and expand participation with key donors, host government, local stakeholders and relevant policy and coordinating bodies

Financial Management and Budgeting 

• Provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of the hubs within the Africa region, including early identification of changes in revenues and expenses 
• Work with the COO and the Head of Finance to ensure solid financial forward planning 

Team Management

• Build and lead high-performing teams under the Africa Regional Manager’s direct line management, providing guidance, mentorship, and direction to line reports
• Cultivate an entrepreneurial culture that develops and implements new ideas 
• Supervise staff and consultant contracts in close collaboration with the project managers and the ACAPS procurement team 
• Provide leadership and support to team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach short, medium and long-term professional objectives
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence

Critical Interfaces

As an important member of the EMT, the Regional Manager will actively participate in EMT meetings and processes. The Regional Manager will maintain strong links with the CrisisInSight Manager to produce our global reports and with the Data Analytics Manager to benefit from technical guidance. 

The Regional Manager will work closely with all members of the Regional Hub and the key humanitarian partners in the region to ensure efficient processes and relevant content. The Regional Manager will ensure working relationships with relevant partners and represent ACAPS in various fora as needed. 
 

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/S or equivalent in international development, business administration or other relevant field. A Bachelor’s degree with additional work experience will be accepted.
• At least 10 years’ field experience in senior management. Previous experience as a Country Director or Regional Manager is essential. 
• Experience leading teams and operations in humanitarian operations is preferred. 
• Ability to lead diverse teams, handle negotiations and facilitate planning processes, including delicate transitions. Proven experience managing remote and dispersed teams.
• Demonstrated understanding of translating strategy into actionable business planning processes. 
• Proven decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Significant understanding of humanitarian needs assessments and working with primary and secondary data and qualitative and quantitative methodologies
• Knowledge and experience within the global humanitarian architecture is essential, knowledge of regional and local structures for analysis and response in Africa is an asset
• Excellent knowledge of regional economic, political, social and cultural dynamics 
• Large professional networks in the region are an asset
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills required. Strong emotional intelligence and coaching/mentoring skills.
• Experience with a wide range of donors including institutional donors particularly USAID, FCDO and ECHO. Familiarity with other donors is a plus.
• Fluent in written and spoken English 
• Fluency in a regional language, an asset
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office incl., Excel spreadsheets, word-processing)

Competencies 

• Networking and representation 
• Leadership
• Result-oriented and problem solving 
• Attention to detail
• Flexible and creative

 

Application instructions

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