Position Title: Sudan Operation and Security Officer
Location: Port Sudan, until a time when it is possible to operate safely from Khartoum
Contract length: One year with a 3-month probation period and the possibility of extension based on funding availability
About Invisible Children
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Invisible Children (IC) is an international non-profit organization working to end violent conflict and exploitation facing our world’s most isolated and unprotected communities. We partner with local visionaries in volatile conflict zones to build community-led initiatives and drive global policy change to end violent conflict and ensure communities have the safety they deserve. When Invisible Children was founded in 2004, our primary aim was to hasten an end to the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) crisis in central Africa and support the lasting recovery of communities in the region targeted by the LRA and other armed groups. Our comprehensive approach to the LRA crisis has integrated every level of intervention, from direct partnerships with local communities to advocacy campaigns targeting international policymakers.
Over the course of 12 years, working with remote communities in central Africa, we have contributed to significant progress in ending the LRA crisis, while refining and adapting our programs to address violence perpetrated by a number of armed groups and other destabilizing forces threatening the central Africa region. IC’s current work focuses on developing innovative and sustainable solutions to regional insecurity and armed group violence. In recent years, this has included the exploration of community-based initiatives and conflict analysis to address the intersection of human security and illicit wildlife trafficking in the central Africa region.
JOB PROFILE
The role of the Operations and Security officer is to support Sudan Program Manager in terms of coordinating a smooth relationship with HAC, Immigration, Ministry of Labor, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They will support ensure that effective safety and security measures for IC programs are appropriately planned for, communicated, and implemented. The position is also responsible for supporting procurement, in accordance to IC and donor regulations. This is position is only open to Sudanese nationals.
POSITION IN THE ORGANIZATION
This role works under the hierarchical supervision of the Sudan Program Manager and under the technical support from the Regional Operations and Security Director.
This position is based in Port Sudan but will require travel to Darfur, when the security situation permits.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following but are not limited to. Other duties that are in line with relevant skills, experience and role may be assigned by the Line Manager, and the Operations team.
Security Management:
- Liaise with the partners at States Security Focal Point in reviewing the security situation;
- Produce and regularly review and update the Country and State Security Management Plan and Policies, and related manuals and contingency plans;
- Advise IC’s Sudan Program Manager on the security trends and threats, and identify corresponding mitigation measures;
- Participate in the government or NGO security forums;
- Liaise as the focal point for the medical evacuation of staff, if necessary;
- Contribute in the proposal writing by updating the security context for each proposal;
- Conduct security assessment for the offices and any accommodations for staff / visitors and provide report to Director of Operations and the Sudan Program Manager;
- Liaise with the police, authorities, or hospitals as necessary for any traffic or security incident involving IC staff;
- Maintain Mapping for the relevant Hospitals in each state where IC is operating or planning to operate in the future;
- Be available 24/7 on the phone or email for any consultation or advice.
Procurement:
- Support in the development of procurement specifications for IC Sudan and partners;
- Request for quotations/proposals;
- Ensuring that procurement is carried out by IC Sudan and its partners according to IC and donor-specific policies.
- Ensuring that all supplies, services, and equipment required are procured and delivered on time;
- Routine communication, coordination, and planning with the relevant requesting staff/programs regarding the order and delivery of supplies;
- Coordination with the Finance and Program departments to ensure integrated internal controls, timely payment of vendors, and complete records and support documentation;
- Participate in procurement committee meetings & evaluations;
- Prepare bids analysis and other bidding documents for approval;
- Conduct and document transparent negotiations with suppliers;
- Demonstrate value for money in procurement;
- Review procurement documents for accuracy before taking payment for approval;
- Establishment and maintenance of ethical, professional working relationships with suppliers;
- Advise the supervisor of procurement-specific issues or improvements; and
- Any other duties or tasks delegated by the line Manager.
Government Liaison:
- Track and follow the organization’s registration in Sudan, ensuring records are maintained and updated through electronic and hardcopy folders;
- Create and share with IC Sudan Program Manager reporting requirements through Technical Agreements, MoUs, and other government provisions by date;
- Provide regular and weekly updates to the Country Leadership and relevant departments about news/changes on HAC and other relevant government policies;
- Support Sudan Manager in liaising with Federal and State level officials on behalf of IC;
- Participate and represent organization in the government-NGO bilateral and/or individual meetings;
- In coordination with the relevant North and South Darfur Program Coordinators and the Program Manager, produce and submit the Technical Agreements and MoUs and/or Extensions for the Technical Agreements and MoUs to the Federal Government Authorities and State Level Authorities;
- Produce and submit Technical Agreements and MoUs with government agencies, and notify the Sudan Program Manager of ends of agreements at least one month before the end of any contracts;
- Ensure that Technical Agreements and MoUs are drafted in in accordance with government, beneficiary, IC, and donor requirements;
- Maintain up-to-date records of electronic records and hard copies of all Technical Agreement and government MoUs with all supporting documentation pertaining to the respective programs;
- Travel to the field to work with the Team Leader and the Program Manager for drafting any Technical Agreement or MoU or their extensions and supporting the teams in meeting with the government authorities in particular when challenges arise for the access, program implementation, and/or staff recruitment;
- Produce and finalize the government reports required through the Technical Agreements and MoUs or any other government provision are in time; and
- Produce weekly access reports for the federal and state levels.
Essential
- Four plus years of progressive security and operations management, and Government Liaison or Program Support experience are required.
- BA or equivalent in Administration or relevant field is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
Desirable
- Field-based working experience with knowledge of Darfur context.
- Females are highly encouraged to apply.
How to apply
Interested candidates should apply and submit a cover letter, a CV, expected salary and details of at least 2 referees to jobs@invisiblechildren.com. Please include your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as received; the vacancy will close once a suitable pool of candidates has been identified for the interview process.