Job Description
Deputy Director, Operations
Sector: Operations
Location: South Sudan
Employee Type: Regular
Employee Category: Full Time
Description
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
BACKGROUND: The Republic of South Sudan has recently emerged from decades of brutal civil war rooted in disputes over religion, ethnicity, resources, governance and self-determination. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ushered in an era of post-conflict development efforts, which took on new dimensions following independence in July 2011. The security situation remains fragile and testing operational challenges abound. IRC operates in six of South Sudan’s ten states with programming in several sectors: health, protection, livelihoods, water and sanitation and gender-based violence.
SCOPE OF WORK: The Deputy Director, Operations (DDO) oversees the country program’s critical support functions: human resources, administration, communications, supply chain and security, ensuring that all the necessary systems, policies and procedures are updated, rolled out, understood, and implemented in all locations. S/he is a member of the country senior management team, reports to the Country Director and supervises the Human Resources / Administration Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Field Area Coordinator and IT officer. The DDO will travel at least 25% to field sites.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Representation
Represent IRC South Sudan in interagency operations meetings.
Develop a sound understanding of the IRC’s programs such that the DDO can substitute for the CD or DDP when needed.
Policies, Procedures and Coordination
Ensure functional operational support is in place in all sites to achieve results across program sectors.
Implement IRC global operational policies at a national level. Review IRC SS operational policy manuals, devise a plan for updating them and ensure their consistent enforcement. Identify operational policy voids and develop new policies as needed.
Ensure compliance with donor regulations with regard to the supply chain.
Develop an annual operations plan with regular follow-up of department leaders.
Serve as a focal point and maintain communication with HQ operations staff, DRDO and Regional Security Adviser.
Coordinate across operations units, across field sites and with programs and finance departments.
Supervise the Area Coordinator and Field Managers through regular visits and remote support.
Budget & Finance
Produce content for new budgets covering operational requirements and provide advice on procurement related budgeting, including a capital equipment replacement plan,
Maintain close working relations with the Finance Controller to ensure full and coordinated support to operations.
Oversee grant operations budget lines.
Administration and Human Resources
Ensure that the recruitment process is efficient, transparent and well managed and that IRC Connect is correctly implemented.
Ensure that operations staff have annual performance plans and evaluations
Review national staff salaries and benefits and recommend adjustments when needed
Serve as focal point person for investigation into policy violations. Follow up on accusations of employee misconduct and advise on potential discipline.
Work with the HQ Human Resources Department in implementing the global HRIS
Within the organization and in collaboration with the HR coordinator, identify staff knowledge areas that require strengthening and work with supervisors and staff to provide the appropriate training, with a goal of contributing to staff retention.
Ensure all necessary support for the functioning of the office, including external relations with the government, is in place.
Logistics/IT
Verify that country logistics policies are appropriate, documented, disseminated and required monitoring processes are effective.
Assist logistics staff in working effectively with other units to improve planning and resource utilization.
Undertake periodic system reviews of procurement, vehicle & fuel, asset, warehouse/inventory, suppliers and vendor contracts and communication systems to identify areas for improvement and compliance with IRC policy.
Review key/routine reports, (PO/PR tracking, fuel consumption, procurement plans) and provide feedback with recommendations.
In collaboration with the IT department in HQ support the V-SAT integration project, maintain and upgrade IT systems to support Internet communication throughout the country program.
Security
Serve as security focal point for the country program by attending meetings and gathering relevant information.
Ensure that the Security Management Plan and SOP’s are regularly updated.
Support CD in troubleshooting specific security incidents..
Provide management support and oversight in implementing security policies and procedures. Ensure staff are trained in basic security procedures.
Ensure all office and residential locations are safe and secure.
REQUIREMENTS
At least 5 years experience of operational support or management of multi-sector humanitarian relief or development projects in Africa or similar context; preferably at senior level positions
Proven personnel management, administration, logistics, communications, security and finance experience of large operations
NGO experience and knowledge of donor requirements
Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills
Willingness to travel in very remote and war affected areas under adverse conditions
Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and heavy workload.
Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Flexibility, adaptability, culturally sensitivity, sense of humor
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Housing in IRC Guest House. Internet, DSTV on-site.
Security level: Yellow, stable with occasional local clashes.
Position is unaccompanied
IRC leading the way from harm to home.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
No Fee
AJS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND AJS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
SOME EMPLOYERS MAY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF YOUR APPLICATION.
