Country Director – Sudan

Country Director – Sudan

Location:	Sudan, Khartoum
Division:	Program Management
Status:	International Full Time
Position Number:	20:163

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

The Country Director (“CD”) serves as IFES’ primary in-country representative and coordinator of programming with local and international actors. The primary focus of the position is providing technical support to stakeholders and ensuring successful completion of project activities.  The CD will provide vision and technical leadership for project activities. S/he will be responsible for maintaining pro-active contacts with stakeholders and the international community. The CD will direct technical implementation of IFES programs in Sudan and oversee management of the IFES project field office.

Job Responsibilities:

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Direction and Program Implementation

• Serve as IFES’ senior election advisor for IFES’ project in Sudan, providing technical support and advice to various partners, including election commissions, government ministries, and CSOs.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of program strategies and activities.
• Prepare and manage the implementation of project annual work plan in fulfillment of project’s strategic objectives and goals, and within budget. Inform HQ of challenges on the ground that may impact successful implementation.
• Ensure the highest quality of program monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and communications. Lead the drafting and timely submission of detailed narrative reports to HQ in line with donor’s and IFES’ reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with local government and non-government stakeholders, including high-level officials in government ministries and election management bodies.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with international NGOs and the donor community to ensure successful implementation of the project and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Lead and/or contribute to written technical reports, briefing papers, and IFES thought pieces, both program-specific and non-program specific.
• Assist in program development for IFES by identifying additional technical needs in-country, contributing to the development of project proposals, and reaching out to the international donor community to diversify IFES funding sources.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Management

• Ensure, in conjunction with IFES/HQ team and Deputy Country Director, compliance with IFES and donor rules and regulations, particularly with respect to procurement and fiscal management.
• Facilitate completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within the allocated budget.
• In coordination with IFES/HQ, assist in the identification, recruitment, and hiring of in-country office staff, as well as local and international technical consultants.
• In conjunction with Deputy Country Director, provide general supervision and mentoring of Khartoum-based local field staff and consultants, including performance appraisals, staff development and other management issues.
• Provide oversight and management of technical consultants, including review of all consultant reports and deliverables.
• Serve as the “Lead Coordinator” (LC) for assigned project. The LC will have primary responsibility for the overall success and implementation of the project, including but not limited to, effective coordination of the partners’ joint activities, regular reporting and meeting with local USAID Mission and proper sharing of programming information among project partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or IFES senior management.

POSITION SCOPE: Under the guidance of, and reporting to, the Middle East & North Africa Regional Director, the Country Director serves as primary in-country representative and directs the technical implementation of IFES programming in Sudan. S/he oversees the management of the Khartoum field office. In conjunction with IFES/HQ, ensures compliance with IFES and donor rules and regulations. Recommends policies, controls and procedures to guide performance. Leads project planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING: Evaluates risk factors with potential to disrupt achievement of strategic goals and sets appropriate course of action in response. Investigates and analyzes current information from various sources and in various formats to inform decision making and the development of protocols and procedures. Leads development and oversees implementation of strategies to track and mitigate risk and its potential impact.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:  Ensures the completion of program tasks in a timely manner and within the allocated budget. Provides input to HQ to determine budget projections, and works with HQ to develop rectification plan to address variances. Ensures compliance with IFES and donors’ rules and regulations, particularly with regard to fiscal management. Oversees preparation and presentation of financial reports to internal and external partners. Oversee and approve local and international procurement in accordance with IFES policies, donors’ rules and regulations, and budget. Authority to regularly make purchases and incur expenses, subject to established controls and procedures.

RELATIONSHIPS:  Serves as primary in-country representative of IFES with local and international actors. Develops, manages and maintains collaborative working relationship with senior level stakeholders within and outside IFES to ensure timely and successful achievement of projects’ goals and objectives. Represents IFES in global, regional, national and sub-national events and in international meetings, and at donor events and fundraising activities, as a spokesperson for IFES.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises and mentors Deputy Country Director and local field staff, and provides oversight and management of consultants and field experts.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Minimum of a Master’s degree in international politics, international development, public policy, or related field.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in elections, political processes and/or conflict mitigation, in addition to international program management. Minimum of 5 years of experience with USAID-funded activities in related program area. Work experience in MENA region required; work experience in Sudan desired. Proven track record implementing democracy and governance programming in MENA (preferred) or developing countries (required); solid experience working with civil society and in designing and implementing civic programs; solid experience working with election management bodies in election administration capacity development, drafting of election procedures, outreach and engagement of electoral stakeholders is required. Experience working in a conflict setting preferred. Familiarity with the international donor community and experience as an action-oriented interlocutor with democracy-development actors at all levels. Demonstrated knowledge in proposal and report writing and management of budgets.

Related Skills or Knowledge:

Prior experience managing an international office in a politically-sensitive and challenging environment. Ability and skills to promote and inspire effective collaboration between individuals, organizations and networks, demonstrating strong diplomacy skills and cultural sensitivity. Strong consultative, collaborative, and participatory way of working. Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communications skills to meet the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders. Experience living and working overseas, preferably within the MENA and/or other transition environments. Knowledge of local/regional politics and development preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluency in written and spoken English required. Proficiency in Arabic preferred.

TRAVEL: Travel required up to 25% of time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Apply Now:

https://www.vs4.vscyberhosting.com/ifes/Careers.aspx?req=20%3A163&type=JOBDESCR