Roving Area Coordinator

About the role: This is a 12 month, new role with unaccompanied terms based in South Sudan (roving between field locations) at a Grade 4, with a salary of €43,268 – €48,076

You will report to the Programme Director (PD). We would like you to start January 2022.

Your purpose: The roving Area Coordinator will move between field locations at the CD or PD’s request, providing cover for Area Coordinators and Programme Managers when there are recruitment gaps or when they are on leave or R&R, or providing additional support to critical programme activities as required. The roving Area Coordinator will be familiar with the various programmes in South Sudan and with Concern systems and procedures, and will provide management support to ensure the continued implementation of programmes as per workplans and results frameworks. The roving Area Coordinator will also provide management support in the areas of security, logistics, HR/admin and finance to ensure the continued smooth operation of field offices and compliance with procedures. You will be expected to respond positively and constructively to a rapidly changing operational environment, be a strong communicator, and bring a solutions-oriented approach to your work.

You will be responsible for:

Programme Implementation

· Oversee and ensure quality implementation of all programmes in line with Concern’s strategy, sector approaches, internal policies and procedures, recognised best practices, core and minimum standards

· Ensure implementation of all projects and programmes you are requested to oversee as per budgets, workplans, results & monitoring frameworks, procurement plans etc.

· Carry out regular field visits to inspect activities and organise regular project review sessions through participatory methodologies involving beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the areas of intervention.

· Contribute to and coordinate the team in the development and submission of concept notes, proposals and reports in collaboration with the Programme Director when required

· In liaison with the Programme Director and M&E Manager, ensure that M&E is carried out as per plan

· Coordinate field assessments, evaluations and surveys if requested

· Ensure participation of the community in the planning and implementation of programming through appropriate mechanisms.

· Build the capacity of team members assigned to implement programmes.

· Participate in quarterly and annual programmes reviews

· Ensure that Gender and Equality, Protection, DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction), PEER (Preparedness for Effective Emergency Response) and Conflict sensitivity are integrated into all programme design and implementation

· Liaise with and brief PD on programmes and situational context on a regular basis

Financial management

• Overall responsibility for the integrity of the finance systems in the areas you are requested to cover, ensuring strict adherence to Concern’s Financial Policy and Procedures.

• Monitor the monthly expenditure of all programme budgets for programmes you are asked to oversee, and advise the PD and the finance department of any variances and recommend solution.

• Ensure that the monthly cash forecast is accurate and submitted on time when responsible for a field office or a programme.

• When acting for the Area Coordinator, maintain the safe in field locations, and carry out weekly and monthly cash and safe counts.

• Maintain strong communication lines with the Country Finance Manager, and ensure appropriate verifications and signatures on all payments and that field payments are conducted on time with floats are reviewed thoroughly before being closed off

Human Resource management

· Lead, manage and motivate the team ensuring that staff directly line managed while covering for other staff continue to be developed, and receive meaningful and regular feedback on their performance. Contribute to staff Performance and Development Reviews as requested.

· Participate in the recruitment of national staff, including development of job descriptions, and liaise with HR for supporting the recruitment process.

· During recruitment, participate and promote the objective of gender equality within Concern South Sudan as appropriate by ensuring a gender-supportive recruitment and team management after.

• Strengthen and build the programmatic, managerial and operational skills of staff through on-job mentoring and coaching, feedback mechanisms, ensuring their participation in relevant trainings.
• Address and mitigate staff complaints and conflicts in coordination with the HR Manager and, if needed, relevant SMT members.

· Ensure all Concern policies and guidelines are well known and adhered to by staff and local partners (Code of Conduct and Associated Safeguarding Policies), Equality, Anti-Fraud Policy and Accountability standards etc.)

Logistics/Admin Management

• When acting for the Area Coordinator, overall responsibility to ensure that logistics procedures are being followed across procurement, warehousing and vehicle management for the field offices
• Oversee the planning and timely implementation of procurement processes, as per programmes needs and ensure all programmes/projects adhere to the procurement plans
• Ensure appropriate transport planning to allow for programme implementation and adherence to transport policies and procedures

· Ensure that asset registers are maintained and up to date and that stock controls and warehousing procedures are in place and adhered to

• Oversee the implementation of Health and Safety Policy in the office and residential area for International staff.

Security Management

· When acting for the Area Coordinator, act as Security Focal Point (SFP) for the field office/programme area, maintaining contact with key informants and ensuring the local Security Focal Group is functioning effectively and consulted regularly.

· Ensure the team and visitors understand and adhere to the Concern Worldwide Security Management Plan (SMP) and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

· Monitor and report on the security situation and any security incidents in the programme area, in a timely manner, to the CD and SD, and submit SIRT reports

· Lead the process of hibernation or relocation of staff if required

Reporting

· Ensure timely completion of internal reports and donor reports and related documentation adhering to Concern Worldwide standards and requirements of the contract.

· Provide Monthly Reports and work-plans on time, in the right formats with the correct information; provide weekly programmes updates to the PD

Coordination, Networking and Representation

· When acting for Area Coordinator, take over and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders at sub-prefecture level – including armed and civil actors, government and local authorities, community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community based organisations, beneficiaries and other key stakeholders – to enhance cooperation and coordination and to minimise security issues.

· Represent Concern during potential visits by donor agencies, the National Authorities, UN Agencies, partners and other stakeholders.

· Represent Concern in coordination mechanisms (including cluster meetings) in either field locations or the capital, if and as requested by the PD or CD.

Safeguarding Policies and Complaints Response Mechanism

· Ensure the dissemination and full implementation of all aspects of Concern’s Code of Conduct and Associated Safeguarding policies (P4, Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking policy) and report violations including any suspected violations or complaints/allegations to the SD and CD.

· Ensure the ongoing implementation of the Complaints Response Mechanism (CRM) systems in the areas of operation, including assuring that the field offices’ CRM committee meets and reports monthly as per agreed guidelines

· Support the senior management team in investigations as required.

Work as a team member of Concern Worldwide South Sudan

· Establish and develop an effective working relationship with Concern staff at Juba level and other field locations to ensure teamwork and integration.

· As team member effectively participating in any Preparing for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) process as deemed necessary. This may include being deployed to respond to emergencies as and when required.

· Support the County Office and other Programme Areas in South Sudan whenever requested to do so.

· Undertake additional duties as mutually agreed with the PD and/or CD.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

· Relevant degree (international development or related discipline)

· At least two years’ experience of managing and coordinating field based operations preferably in food security, health and nutrition or WASH sectors in remote and fragile locations

· Relevant experience in supervising, managing/coaching, training and develop skills of others

· Previous experience in project design, planning, monitoring and evaluation in development and humanitarian context

· Experience in dealing with local authorities, national and international NGOs/UN agencies

· Proven ability to take responsibility for security issues

· Ability to assess problem and recommend solutions

· Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.

· Methodical and thorough

· Experience and ability to lead a multi-sectoral programme team of international and national staff working in a remote location

· Familiarity and knowledge of finance, logistics and administration

· Experience of monitoring and reporting of budgets across a programme and ensuring effective and accountable use of funds

· Computer literate and sound knowledge of Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

· Excellent communication skills in French both written and verbal, and good working knowledge of English.

· Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, accountability, participation and gender equality.

Desirable:

• Masters in humanitarian or development studies, rural development, WASH, public health, or any other development or humanitarian related study
• Experience in promoting community participation in programme design, implementation and evaluation

· Experience of working in challenging, insecure areas and willingness to work and live in a remote environment