Sudan: Country Representative (CR), Sudan

RedR and the work we do

Every year, hundreds of millions of people around the world are affected by natural disasters and conflict. RedR is an international disaster relief charity which saves lives by giving aid workers the vital skills they need to do their jobs to the highest possible standard. We train thousands of people each year in everything from providing emergency shelter to staying safe in the field, from project management after emergencies to essential water and sanitation skills and more. RedR has hubs in the UK, Kenya, Pakistan, Sudan and Jordan, and works in over 40 countries each year.

Job Description

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The list presented does not cover the full scope of tasks and responsibilities of the Country Representative, but serves to illustrate some of the areas of emphasis for the post. A detailed measurable objective and target setting will be finalized in coordination with the identified candidate following the selection process.

The Country Representative (CR) is overall responsible and accountable for the programme performance; financial management; staff safety, welfare and conduct for RedR’s operations in Sudan.

S/he is directly responsible for the strategic direction, general oversight and development of the programmes in Sudan, and managing relations with external clients, donors, the Government of Sudan, other humanitarian assistance community stakeholders. The post holder must be an experienced manager with a demonstrated track record of securing funding for and implementing humanitarian programmes, preferably with a focus on capacity building.

• Business development - In collaboration with the International Programmes Director in the UK , the CR will develop and maintain close and regular cooperation with donor representatives in Sudan. The CR will work closely with and mentor other colleagues with the team in identifying local, national and regional funding and business opportunities and work with the Programme Funding Coordinator in UK in the development of funding proposals.

• Senior level representation and networking – The CR will maintain regular contact with external stakeholders and ensure the RedR is appropriately represented in external coordination fora with government, UNOCHA and other UN agencies, counterpart NGOs and other relevant humanitarian or development fora.

• Programme Management – The CR will ensure that RedR’s operations in country and within are in line with the Sudan Office strategy and annual Operational Plan. S/he will lead the process for development of the 2017-18 Operational Plan and budget in collaboration with the International Programmes Director and Country Management Team (CMT), and in consultation with staff, external partners, Associate Trainers and the other RedR Regions. S/he will lead the definition of the ‘Sudanization’ plan for RedR activities and presence post 2017/18.

• Finance management – the CR is accountable for the use of donors’ and RedR’s unrestricted

funding for projects in Sudan. S/he is also responsible for ensuring that the Sudan programme functions on a cost neutral basis. The CR must undertake monthly monitoring and analysis of expenditure against budget, ensure that all income and expenditure is correctly accounted for in line with donor and budgetary guidelines, and ensure that all staff are fully conversant and compliant with RedR and relevant donor financial procedures and reporting requirements.

• Leadership – the CR will lead the Country Management Team in Sudan and provide strategic

direction to guide decision making and prioritisation for staff and programme activities. S/he will input to organisational initiatives and planning at global level through regular contact with the International Programmes Director and counterparts in other Regions.

• Staff Safety and Welfare - the CR is accountable for the safety and welfare of RedR staff in Sudan. S/he will work with the Security Focal Point and Global Security Manager to ensure that robust and appropriate safety and security procedures are in place. S/he will oversee the Finance and Administration Manager in ensuring that all HR, health, safety and welfare policies are adhered to and that staff are properly inducted and fully conversant with these requirements.

• Communication and Marketing – the CR will oversee the Training team in the assessment of

humanitarian capacity building needs and the development and monitoring of a proactive marketing strategy. S/he will review all external communications prior to publication and ensure that they are in line with RedR’s communication guidelines. All interaction with the media will be undertaken by the CR on behalf of RedR UK.

• Government liaison and statutory requirements – In collaboration with various colleagues based both in Khartoum and ElFasher, the CR will liaise with local authorities in Sudan including the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) to ensure that RedR complies with all required legal, financial and diplomatic protocols including work permits, taxation, registration, local employment law, insurance etc.

Person Specification

Essential

· Masters’ level qualification in a relevant area e.g. international relations, development studies, political science, or a similar humanitarian/development related field experience

· At least 10 years in senior management position with responsibility for remote line management preferably in humanitarian assistance. Development experience would be considered for short-listing of positions

· Proven track record in sourcing and securing donor funding including familiarity and experience in working with DFID, DG-ECHO and USAID/OFDA

· Excellent financial management skills, including budget monitoring and analysis, institutional donor compliance and maximising financial performance

· Excellent communication, external relations and networking skills. Competency in marketing would be considered a distinct advantage.

· Proven record of excellent people skills, including good communication and inter-personal skills

· IT skills, with good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications

· Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to adapt to different contexts

· Fluency in written and spoken English, Arabic

· Willingness and ability to travel extensively within Sudan

Desirable

· WASH in emergencies programmatic experience

· DRR and Resilience programmatic experience

· Leaning & Development programmatic experience

· Experience in working through local partners, ideally this would include a role in capacity building with staff and/or partner organizations

Further Information
Salary: GBP 24,000 GROSS per annum – all benefits inclusive.
Location: Khartoum, Sudan – with travel to other states within Sudan
Duration: 12 months fixed term full-time post, with possibility of renewal subject to funding

To apply please send your CV and covering letter highlighting your suitability for the role to hr@redr.org.uk by the closing date stated.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received.