Deputy Project Director – Programs

Position Description

The successful candidate will be based in Maban County, Upper Nile State. he or she will report to the Project Director and will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to lead the implementation of the Maban project. JRS will draw from evidence-based approaches to identify appropriate, effective practices in areas of education and psychosocial support to strengthen the capacity of students and teachers and bolster the wellbeing of marginalized peoples. The incumbent for this position will bring strong project management skills and deep knowledge of holistic education and integrative psychosocial practices. The incumbent will ensure that JRS delivers high-quality programming and impact under this project.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Coordinators in managing and implementing all activities throughout relevant project cycles – project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with JRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and best practices. Ensure project teams and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Contribute to high-quality project design incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to scope, context, and technical requirements. Coordinate planning of activities to ensure integration of program interventions and efficiency in implementation.
• Contribute to creating and maintaining the proper conditions for learning. Help establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond to challenges. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management as part of the implementation of the MEAL policy.
• Assure strong budget management, monitoring, and reporting activities through the project cycle – start-up, implementation, and close-out – in line with JRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Facilitate the design of JRS Maban frameworks and plans, including resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of programming interventions in line with regional and agency strategic priorities.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise as needed. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports. Identify training opportunities and facilitate as necessary.
• Coordinate with JRS Maban Project Director and Technical Coordinators to ensure appropriate budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project resources; ensuring all deliverables are met on time and to a high standard.
• Coordinate the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Contribute where needed in the business development cycle to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Master’s degree in international studies, development, social works or economics.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project management, ideally in the field of education or protection, and employment with an NGO.
• Experience in grants management and working with large donors including ECHO, BPRM, UN and other institutional donors. Experience with budget management desired.
• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships including capacity building for stakeholders and staff.
• Experience in analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Ability to contribute to the development of and feedback on technical proposals.
• Experience working on conflict sensitivity and gender mainstreaming projects is a plus.
• Able and suited to living simply and working in a strategic but responsive way in a remote, complex location.
• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgement.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

Working Relationships

Rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of JRS to fulfil responsibilities and achieve results:

• Works with integrity, promotes accountability and stewardship.
• Develops talent.
• Multi-cultural sensitivities and commitment to building right relationships.
• Continuous improvement and innovation with a strategic mindset.

Core values

• Commitment to JRS mission, vision and values, and the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and in advocating for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully, consistently, fairly, and discreetly with situations, people, and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value. willingness to work in flexible, sub-optimal and multi-cultural environments.