Deputy Country Director

Role Overview

The Deputy Country Director manages all aspects of the implementation and development of the assigned programme and support functions to facilitate the implementation of the country strategy. Providing leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the Medair programmes, the Deputy Country Director also plays a key role in external representation, security management, 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 in South Sudan is to save lives and alleviate human suffering by working with vulnerable populations and providing essential life-saving health, nutrition, WASH and mental health and psychosocial services.

Key Activity Areas

Programme Leadership

• To deputise for the Country Director in his / her absence.
• Actively participate and contribute to the development and review of the Medair strategy in country.
• Contribute and support the development of proposals and reports for the respective projects.

Operations Management

• Oversee programme implementation in consultation with the relevant senior managers in country and, in accordance with the project proposals, ensure objectives are met within the required time frames and budgets.  
• Facilitate cross cutting communications with all country teams implementing and supporting 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. This may include finance and governance procedures, staff management, fleet management and IT security and infrastructure.
• Ensure all in-country legal requirements are met including registration, reporting, insurance, work permits, contracts, etc., liaising as necessary with government departments and other official bodies.
• Manage a comprehensive activity plan for the programme, including resource needs analysis, covering the time frames of the project proposals.
• Work with the relevant Sector Manager(s) to ensure the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in programme activities.
• 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.
• Identification, design and advice on response (and exit) strategy and monitoring implementation of projects and the country programme.

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 and within the appropriate timeframe and advising the senior field managers of the financial status of the projects.

Staff Management

• Initiate recruitment of direct reports
• Line manage designated staff, including direct supervision and development.
• Assist other managers in their line management responsibilities, including recruitment, appraisal, objective setting, development and training, disciplinary action, etc., and deputise for them during any periods of absence.
• Hold regular team meetings and, through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure, develop and build an effective team.
• Reflect the vision and live the values of Medair at all times and especially when interacting with team members and provide them with leadership, advice and support.
• Develop direct reports to improve their knowledge competence and performance.

Security Management

• Monitor, review and analyse the security status of the country with a specific focus on 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, as appropriate, to the Country Director and the team where appropriate.
• Ensure all staff members 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 are updated and implemented in response to changes in the security situation – for field sites in collaboration with the respective Project Coordinator.
• Train and support Project Coordinator(s) in security planning, management, implementation and monitoring.

Quality Management

• In conjunction with relevant managers, review, develop and implement (as applicable) systems to improve transparency and to detect and ultimately prevent loss or fraud. Carry-out regular inspections and spot-checks, both on systems and on-going work, to ensure the best use of Medair assets and resources.
• Ensure projects 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. 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 and at other relevant times.
• Ensure frequent and appropriate monitoring and evaluation of programme activities and outputs, implementing corrective actions as required.

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

• Bachelor degree.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• 5 years post-qualification experience in a management position
• 3 years post-qualification experience in a complex humanitarian emergency
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels
• Experience and willingness in training/mentoring staff
• Networking and external representation skills
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner