ACTED Infra / Food Sec Assessment Program Manager in South Sudan

Department: Programme
Position: Infra / Food Sec Assessment Program Manager Contract duration: 6 months, renewable Location: Wau– Republic of South Sudan
Starting Date: ASAP

I. Background on ACTED

ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.

ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 3000 national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 350 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion. For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org

II. Country Profile

Capital Office : Juba National Staff : 136 International Staff : 28 Areas : 10 On-going programmes : 8 Budget : 2.9 M €

Infrastructure throughout South Sudan has been devastated by over 20 years of war. Since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in 2006, and independence was declared by South Sudan in July 2011, the South Sudanese government has been working to re-build basic services throughout the country. However, limited availability of resources has made this process extremely slow and the logistical challenges associated with improving these services are immense. The continued delay in provision of these roads, markets and water points has led to further deteriorating food security, water, sanitation and hygiene situation in the country. Phase 1 of ACTED's support for the WFP EU Roads Project includes a wider baseline needs assessment, community mobilization and initial clearing of 4 roads in the Greater Bahr el-Ghazal region, namely in Warrap, Western Bahr el-Ghazal and Lakes States based on an initial baseline conducted in September 2012. These activities will set the stage for full maintenance of the roads alongside supporting vital needs such as market rehabilitation, borehole construction/protection and food security support for the nearby populations as well as a full impact evaluation. In summary, Phase 1 will take place during the first four months of the WFP Roads Project and include the following specific activities: • Comprehensive needs assessments to understand the current constraints facing communities in targeted areas; • Community mobilization to provide communities with a greater understanding of the project and its long term intended results; • Participatory consultations to identify with communities and local authorities the intended track of the roads that will be constructed in a later phase; • Bush clearing through cash for work to involve communities in the initial preparation of the project.

III. Position Profile

The PM will be based in Wau and will lead the implementation a thorough food security assessment, which is a constitutive part of the country strategy, and subsequently monitor its implementation. The Infra / Food Sec Assessment PM will be in charge of: - Conducting a baseline survey and writing a report on basic food security indicators - Undertaking a needs assessment along the 4 road areas (wash, market access, nutrition, food security) - Design the phase 2 intervention based on the results of the needs assessment Supervising community awareness campaigns, the formation of road committees and the implementation of bush clearance through CFW by the communities 1. Ensure external representation of ACTED in relevant sectors - Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities: Participate in technical and sectoral meetings to ensure visibility amongst local authorities; - Representation vis-à-vis Donors: Participate in technical and sectoral Donor meetings and pass relevant information to the Country Director; - Representation vis-à-vis international organisations: Participate in technical and sectoral meetings and working groups involving NGOs and UN Agencies (OCHA, PNUD, UNICEF, FAO, etc.) and all other inter-governmental institutions; Contribute to the creation of reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality of internal information as required;

More generally, the program manager is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED's mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors. 2. Project Cycle Management - Project implementation: Plan the various stages of project implementation; Guide the implementation of the project and the methods of follow-up; Manage project finances, logistics and materials; Liaise with all internal and external counterparts of the project; Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources; - Project reporting requirements: Set up a clear timeline of reports to be submitted to project Donors; Draft narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow up; Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures. More generally, communicate systematically to the relevant Country Director or Area Coordinator on project progress and planning.

1. Provide Relevant Technical Expertise
   • Ensure that technical quality and standards are considered during project implementation: Collect technical information and analyse associated opportunities and risks; Identify relevant technical authorities and partners, and propose formal partnership and/or contracts.
   • Undertake quality control: Analyse technical added-value and project impact; Set up technical evaluation exercises during and following implementation.
2. Oversee Program Staff and Security
   • Guide and direct program staff: Organise and lead project coordination meetings; Prepare and follow work plans with each project member; Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts); Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life; Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of project personnel according to the project development; Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country or Area Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.); Ensure a building of capacity amongst technical staff in the relevant sectors.
   • Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff: When requested by HQ, undertake interviews to assess technical abilities of expatriate candidates living in the country.
   • Oversee staff security: In cooperation with the relevant Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform the Country Director or Area Coordinator and Country or Area Security Officer of developments through regular written reports; Contribute to the updating of the security guidelines in the project area of intervention; Ensure that security procedures are respected by each member of the project team.
3. Identify Best Practices and Lessons Learned Collect information and tools employed for project implementation; Draft memos detailing lessons learned and best practices identified during the project; Share such memos with internal and external partners; Communicate such information to the Country Director or Area Coordinator, to Regional Support Offices and to HQ Reporting Department.

IV. Qualifications:

• Masters degree;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting on programme financial performance;
• Ability to monitor and evaluate financial and monitoring skills of communities through capacity-building efforts;
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Familiarity with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental requirements;
• Prior knowledge of the region an asset;
• Fluency in English required
• Ability to operate Microsoft Word, Excel and Project Management software

V. Conditions:

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance
• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation's guesthouse
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package

How to apply: 

VI. Submission of applications:

Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org Ref : PMIFA/SSUD/RW

ACTED Att: Human Resources Department 33, rue Godot de Mauroy 75009 Paris FRANCE

For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org