South Sudan: Country Representative

We help to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience by responding to disasters and crises and by supporting community and institutional risk reduction and preparedness.

In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally with the aid of specialists or by sending relief supplies or money.

Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion.

Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The International Department is amongst other responsible for supporting the implementation of activities in South Sudan. To strengthen the South Sudan team, the department is looking for a Country Representative.

Position title: Country Representative (100%)

Duty station: Juba, South Sudan

Time period: 1 year, with possible extension

Starting Date: as soon as possible

Status: Single posting/R&R

Rationale

South Sudan remains a country facing considerable challenges regarding security, not only as a result of conflict, but also natural disasters, lack of access to basic services including health care service delivery, and stagnating development.

In synergy with other actors, particularly other Red Cross Movement actors present in the country, the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) seeks to effectively prepare and respond to emergencies and assist people in need. Our main partner in this new country is South Sudan Red Cross (SSRC). Particular areas of intervention are resilience, sexual & gender based violence, organizational development/capacity building of SSRC, Mother and Child Health, WASH, and responding to sudden and chronic crises, improve food security, and spreading humanitarian values among which reducing sexual violence in conflict.

An important part of the partnership with SSRC is contributing to the strengthening of its capacities, as it is a very new Red Cross national society. Building on our experience in the country, NLRC is progressing towards a longer term partnership with the SSRC in order to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency in reaching those most vulnerable in South Sudan, and strengthen their resilience.

In addition to supporting the implementation of activities, an important element of this position is ensuring donors will obtain adequate reporting on used resources and results as well as management of the project portfolio. At the same time the position is key to ensuring the continuity of our vision and strategy, maximum coordination with RC and non-RC actors, maintaining effective relations with donors and proactively assisting with mobilizing resources to enable the NLRC support in South Sudan.

Summary statement and responsibilities

• Represent the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) in South Sudan in accordance with the principles, mission statement and strategy of the NLRC and the Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent (Movement).

• Strengthen the partnership between NLRC and SSRC, based on the NLRC current strategy “New Way of Working” and the SSRC Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017 with the goal of supporting the SSRC and Movement process enabling the SSRC to strengthen capacities and manage operations; collaborate with NLRC HQ in the development of the new NLRC strategy; coordinate and collaborate with partners for supporting SSRC Organizational Capacity Assessment and Certification (OCAC) plan;

• Take the lead and is responsible for the annual update of NLRC country vision, the development of the Country Strategy and the implementation of its associated benchmarks, engagement planning and development of annual country work plan;

• Management and technical support with SSRC for NLRC funded projects, to ensure high quality of the NLRC-supported interventions in South Sudan and synergy and complementarity with other actors, particularly the RC Movement;

• Responsible for the open and effective communication between Project Officer and SSRC for all aspects of NLRC project portfolio to ensure timely implementation of project activities and reporting to donors

• Manage the NLRC Support Office in Juba, and ensure timely narrative and financial reporting on all columns of financial budget per project;

• Ensure that effective financial administrative systems governing the project activities are in place and are in line with SSRC, NLRC and donor requirements;

• Manage and supervise NLRC delegates in South Sudan, and ensure open communication and effective cooperation within the team and with SSRC counterparts;

• Manage relationships in country with all movement partners, other relevant stakeholders, such as other NGO’s, Knowledge Institutes, Embassies, ECHO/EU offices etc.

• Lead the in-country identification of new intervention possibilities within the framework of the NLRC and SSRC strategy, based on SSRC needs, and support resource mobilization activities for new opportunities identified;

• Maintain oversight of the larger context and humanitarian developments in South Sudan, and ensure NLRC HQ is able to concisely remain informed of the pressing humanitarian issues and challenges;

• Ensure strict adherence of security policies and directions from NLRC and ICRC;

• Liaise with NLRC HQ on the need for and availability of technical expertise to enable further impact and improve quality interventions;

• Ensure adequate information flow regarding ongoing operations for both management and external communication;

• Facilitate field visits of consultants and NLRC HQ advisers/staff/delegates.

Position in the organization

• The Country Representative will report hierarchically to the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator based at NLRC HQ in The Hague. He/she will liaise with others within the NLRC on matters such as HR, finance, logistics, health, WASH and Food Security/Livelihoods as well as external communication for support and technical backstopping.

• The in-country Delegates supporting various projects report to the Country Representative.

Profile candidate

Qualifications

University (Masters) Degree or advanced degree;

Skills and experience

• Minimum of 8 years experience in emergency or developmental humanitarian work in an international setting, working experience in Africa is required, South Sudan experience an asset;

• Experience working in a politically complex and challenging environment;

• Proven experience in project identification, formulation, planning, management and implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation;

• Working knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures.

• Minimum of 8 years experience in managing and guiding teams of multi-cultural professionals;

• Prior experience in either Deputy or Country Director/Representative positions within International NGOs

• Excellent understanding of key trends in international and humanitarian development, including Health, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change programs;

• Experience in participatory and strategic planning and review techniques;

• Excellent English communication skills

• Experience in working with partners at national and sub-national levels, preferably within the Red Cross Movement;

• Commitment to and knowledge of Red Cross Mission and Values, understanding of the Fundamental Principles;

Key competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in different cultural and organizational settings;

• Assessment, analytical and interpretation skills at strategic level;

• Ability to develop clear goals and steer team towards results and observing deadlines;

• Show persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges, remains calm in stressful situations;

• Positive thinker, able to see and act when an opportunity arises;

• Ability to monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary.

Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen*,* using our online application system https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/128378 before April 15th.

Please note that we will start the selection procedure as soon as applications come in.

For more information about the position, you can contact Dilanga Manuweera, Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator at dmanuweera@redcross.nl

An assessment will be part of the selection procedure.

For more information on the work of NLRC, check www.rodekruis.nl, facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis or Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis

Acquisition for his vacancy will not be appreciated