Job title : Head of Programme (HoP)
Department: Programming
Division: Programme Managment
Duty Station: Remote, with relocation to Gedaref (or another location in Sudan)
Administrative Line Manager : Head of Mission (HoM)
Line Management Responsibility: Programme Support Team – Program Technical Advisors, Base Managers/Team Leaders, Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor
Position Type: Full time
ABOUT US
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organization. We work to reduce violence and protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath through the implementation of unarmed civilian protection prog ramming. NP implements programming through the deployment of civilian protection teams to the field and is continuing to scale up to meet the growing needs in the communities we serve. Programming is founded on unarmed civilian protection and is thematically focused on protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection and inter-communal violence reduction.
OVERVIEW
NP has been working in Darfur for several years, with particular focus on North Darfur and is now looking at expanding its operations – both geographically and through partners. Working through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP), NP centres local communities in preventing violence and promoting positive peace. The NP programming focuses on building capacities within local communities to engage in nonviolent self-protection methods such as protective accompaniment/presence, community-led safety and security initiatives such as conflict de-escalation techniques and early warning/response mechanisms. Secured funding spans several years and offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable, civilian protection.
JOB PURPOSE
The Head of Programmes (HoP) joins the Head of Mission (HoM) to provide co-leadership for all existing and emerging programmes in Sudan. The HoP is responsible for ensuring the country programme in Sudan is coherent, well planned, and in line with the NP’s global mandate. Together with the HoM the HoP will continually monitor and assess the Sudan programmes to ensure their effectiveness and adherence to agreed programme deliverables, budgets and general commitments. In this context, s/he will provide operational, strategic planning and budget related support and guidance to the programme staff to implement civilian protection and violence-prevention programming for those affected by violent conflict in Sudan.
KEY OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Commitment to NP Principles
a) Demonstrate a commitment to NP’s mandate and principles
b) Maintain a positive image of the organisation
c) All NP employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s guiding principles:
- Nonviolence
- Non-partisanship
- Primacy of local actors
- Civilian-to-civilian action
These principles and beliefs shall guide our actions and relationships in protecting civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies
B. Program implementation and Management
- Oversee the Program Support Team responsible for direct program implementation
- Provide technical direction to NP team, and ensure high technical quality program implementation
- Coordinate and line manage Program Managers who do NP project implementation (activities, budget and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements
- Provide regular progress reports to HoM and the Senior Management Team, highlighting operational successes and challenges
- Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and assess new and better ways to assist
- Develop and manage project budget, in cooperation with HoM and Senior Management Team a
- Develop and oversee Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) efforts and ensure that the program teams are collecting and analyzing information to inform programming. In the absence of dedicated staff, develop and roll out M&E tools as needed
- Oversee any technical program support staff, develop technical tools for program teams and participate actively in relevant technical working groups in country
- Act as budget holder for program budgets, in coordination with HoM, ensure that donor budgets are followed and modified as needed. Engage in budget monitoring process and ensure that forecasting is done promptly and accurately.
C. Grants Management and Donor Engagement
- Act, along with HoM, as key communications focal point for donor engagement. Maintain donor relationships and ensure that all communication is professional and timely
- Oversee Grants/Program Development team and ensure that all grants management processes are conducted on time. Ensure the involvement of program staff in grants management processes as needed
- Oversee grant reporting and other donor submissions, including situation updates, context analysis, etc.
- Ensure all donor compliance requirements are being met and coach members of the programs team in order to ensure they are aware of and complying with donor rules
D. Program Development and strategic direction
- Contribute to the development of country strategies, initiate and participate in the development of relevant NP projects
- Lead on strategic program development, producing new ideas and concepts for Unarmed Civilian Protection work in Sudan
- Engage with donors on new programming, tracking trends in the donor environment and seeking out opportunities for NP in Sudan
- Lead proposal development processes for new programs and required revisions, ensuring the production of high-quality concept notes and proposals
- Engage in NP global program discussion and activities and contribute to the global development of Unarmed Civilian Protection programming
- Act as a member of the Senior Management Team, support the strategic vision of the NP Sudan program
E. Leadership and Management
- Nurture a positive supervisory culture in NPSD and support the development and roll-out of policies and procedures as needed
- Coach programs staff on programme management skills and provide oversight for programme management issues that arise in the field teams
- Provide regular support and supervision to the line-managed staff, including guidance in formulating individual work plans on a weekly and monthly basis
- In coordination with the HoM, facilitate line-managed program staff’s performance evaluation based on agreed project work plans and deliverables, and/or job description
- Identify staffing needs within the program team, ensure proper budgeting for needed staff and in coordination with HoM, lead recruitment hiring and training processes for new program staff
- Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills
- Support the development of capacity and responsibilities of NP staff in Sudan
F. Representation and Communication
- Represent NP in relevant coordination, advocacy, and governmental meetings/fora as needed
- Enhance NP’s profile among relevant stakeholders, including with donors, government actors, civil society and other NGOs
- Support programmatic input into relevant advocacy efforts, whether in-country or at a global level
PERSON SPECIFICATION
A. Education, Knowledge and Experience,
- University degree desired (but not required), preferably at Masters level or equivalent in social sciences, international development or related area of studies
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior humanitarian position, with line management and project management responsibilities
- Previous experience from working as a manager in a complex emergency context
- Previous experience working with Unarmed Civilian Protection
- Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
- Demonstrated experience in engagement and building relationship with armed groups, military and with local and national government officials and NGOs
- Demonstrated ability to analyse conflict, security and political contexts
- Proven experience in successful donor fundraising and grant management, including proposal development for institutional donors
- Understanding of conflict and peace building concepts and international human rights and humanitarian law
- A strong understanding of the political and security context in Sudan
- Strong communication, coordination and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
B. Context/Specific skills
- Fluency in written and spoken English (and Arabic, desirable)
- Good analytical and communications skills, written and oral
- A positive problem-solving approach
- Enthusiasm to learn and apply new skills
- Good interpersonal and cross-cultural communication and team-working skills
- Ability to work under pressure and under difficult conditions
- Knowledge of the Sudan context and neighboring countries
- Experience with start-up or expansion of new programmes
- Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook
C. Other Specialized Requirements
- This position will have to travel to field sites, including locations with limited access to communications
- NP missions are often in a complex security environment where conditions change rapidly; ability to manage in insecure environments is essential to success in this position
How to Apply:
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page) through our website detailing their experience and how they qualify for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- The closing date for applications is Tuesday 4th March 2025
- Candidates may be selected before the closing date, apply early
- As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a technical assignment before participating in an interview.
