Deputy Country Director – Programs

Deputy Country Director – Programs

RI – Relief International

Port Sudan, Khartoum or Remote, Sudan

Position Summary:

The Deputy Country Director (DCD) for Programs, reporting directly to the Country Director, will play a pivotal role in enhancing program quality and expanding Sudan’s comprehensive portfolio, which includes community engagement, health, nutrition, protection, livelihoods, and WASH initiatives. Tasked with supervising all strategic program operations and coordination within Relief International’s Sudan Country program, the DCD Programs will work closely with the Sudan Country Director on strategic planning, securing new projects/program opportunities, and the systematic execution, monitoring, and evaluation of projects. This role involves leading the team of technical program managers and sector leads, managing grants, overseeing reporting, enhancing communications, and ensuring the highest standards of program management. Furthermore, the DCD Programs will serve as an essential conduit between the Sudan program and the regional and global technical teams, bolstering RI’s capacity for networking, fostering strategic partnerships with Clusters, UN Agencies, INGOs, and ensuring robust collaborations with local organizations and communities. Additionally, in the absence of the Country Director, the DCD will assume leadership, supporting both the Country Director and the country teams. This position, based in Port Sudan/Khartoum or remotely, will necessitate travel to field locations across all Sudanese states.

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

Strategic Program Leadership

• Work under the supervisor of the Country Director and coordinate with technical leads to craft and guide the strategic direction and leadership of RI’s portfolio in Sudan.
• Spearhead the creation and evaluation of sector strategies and annual plans, ensuring alignment with the Sudan Country Strategy;
• Actively search for and pinpoint new funding opportunities, leading donor discussions alongside the Country Director to capitalize on strategic prospects both within and outside the organization;
• Oversee the program quality assurance and implementation team, guaranteeing the prompt and high-quality execution of programs;
• Manage grants, reporting, and communications, conducting the final checks and quality control before the submission of reports, updates, and other materials intended for external audiences;
• Represent RI at national and field levels as the delegate of the Country Director, acting as the principal point of contact for program-related matters both within and outside the organization;
• Forge and sustain productive relationships with local stakeholders in Sudan, including NGOs, community groups, and UN agencies, ensuring RI’s representation in sector-level coordination forums.

Program Designing and Development

• Oversee the program development process in Sudan by scrutinizing concept notes and proposals and contribute directly to enhance their quality before they are submitted;
• Engage with potential new partners at both the field and national levels to uncover new funding opportunities, in coordination with the Country Director;
• Enhance existing donor relationships and forge new ones to promote diversification of the donor base/portfolio, under the guidance of the Country Director;
• Organize capacity-building initiatives for RI’s program managers and technical advisors on the Program Management Framework;
• Guarantee that proposals are grounded in evidence and bolstered by thorough needs assessments. Lead or assist in organizing design workshops for every proposal;
• Ensure that all proposals adhere to RI’s Sector Technical Design Standards, as well as comply with donor policies and regulations.

Program Management and Implementation

• Lead the charge, in partnership with technical leads, to ensure a smooth start-up/mobilization phase for new awards, including the development of spending projections, procurement and recruitment strategies, and initial work plans;
• Continuously maintain, refresh, and review RI’s comprehensive country operational analysis by integrating contributions from both the programs and finance departments;
• Coordinate periodic project evaluation meetings (both mid-term and final) after the initial mobilization to monitor and ensure consistent progress;
• Act as the primary liaison during the program modification and budget realignment processes, engaging with country office personnel and regional teams;
• Oversee the verification process to ensure that all project expenses are permissible, reasonable, and appropriately allocated, thereby providing oversight and quality control for technical leads;
• Facilitate regular and effective budget monitoring and expenditure reviews in collaboration with the finance and program departments;
• Support both the programs and operations teams in overseeing and managing the expenditure rate to ensure efficient budget management.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Ensure Sudan country program has a functional MEAL system that will improve the quality of implementation of projects and provide support and oversight of the country M&E Manager;
• Lead the country program in ensuring consistent reflection of assessment and programmatic data for decision-making, using RI-required tools such as IPTTs;
• Ensure the country program is complying with RI-required accountability standards;
• Champion learning across the project cycle, ensuring that regular learning events are conducted and documented.

Human Resource Management

• Work closely with HR to consistently enforce HR policies related to punctuality, productivity, and maintaining a professional work environment across the program team;
• Guide and oversee a diverse team of program managers and coordinators responsible for various projects, offering direction in work planning, setting priorities, managing tasks, performance improvement, and professional development;
• Offer ongoing capacity building and mentorship in program management to program staff;
• Act as the direct supervisor for the MEAL Manager, Technical Advisors, Grants and Reporting Manager, and any additional roles assigned by the Country Director.

Qualifications & requirements:

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.

• A university degree is required, with a preference for a master’s degree in international development, Community Development, or a related field. Candidates with educational and professional expertise in Health, Protection, Nutrition, and Food Security are highly preferred;
• Over seven years of proven management experience in the development and execution of emergency relief programs, ideally within developing countries;
• Skilled in grant writing and fundraising, with experience collaborating with major donors such as BHA, ECHO, FCDO, and UN Agencies;
• Proven capability to establish and sustain effective working relationships with stakeholders, NGO partners, and both local and international teams;
• Competent in analyzing complex security situations and incorporating this analysis into program design;
• Exceptional proficiency in English, both written and spoken, with a track record of drafting high-quality proposals and donor reports;
• A readiness to travel to field locations on short notice;
• A collaborative team member who is dedicated to motivating and leading staff;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to efficiently work and manage under challenging conditions.

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