Operations and Program Support Area Manager

Title:  Operations and Program Support Area Manager

Reports to: Program Director

Location:  Zalingei, Central Darfur State

Travel:   Frequent travel between project sites in Central Darfur State

NEF is a non-profit international development organization that has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in our approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our programs are organised around three pillars: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilisation and Peacebuilding.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Area Manager ensures the effective implementation of high-quality programs in Cental Darfur State through the effective leadership and management of program staff in the delivery on the outcome level results within our integrated programing. Leads and manages the systems functions (logistics, admin, HR and finance) for NEF’s program in the state, ensuring compliance with NEF and donor policies and procedures. As the NEF representative in the area, the Area Manager will oversee management and development of NEF in the area and will develop and maintain good relationships with peer NGOs, local authorities, and communities in which we work. The Area Manager is a member of the extended Country Management Team and will be responsible for collecting information, and attending meetings related to safety and security in the area.

Program Development and Implementation

• Participate in the design of projects/programs;
• Participate in project planning and contribute to the development and execution of workplans, quarterly reports, and other documents as needed;
• Support implementation of program activities, staffing and procurement plans;
• Initiate and support the hiring process of approved staff in coordination with HR Manager/Officer and Program Director;
• Coordinate with program support staff for acquiring logistical and administrative support for NEF projects at the state level;
• Prepare regular and periodic progress reports on program activities and expenditure variances for internal management purposes;
• Identify and address barriers to implementation, provide suitable solution and plans to resolve them. Coordinate plans and communicate progress and issues to senior leadership.

Program Quality

• Ensure high quality implementation of program implemented by NEF or partners in Cental Darfur State;
• Ensure all aspects of activities adhere to NEF quality standards and policies;
• Oversee partners’ implementation quality and timeliness, review technical reports and requests;
• Coordinate and guide team members and partners to deliver services in a best possible quality and timing;
• Provide ongoing communications for any potential challenges and/or possible modifications to program activities;
• Contribute to the capacity building process of staff and local partners.

Budget Management

• Effectively monitor allocated operational and programmatic budgets and ensure all expenditure is authorized in accordance with NEF’s and donors’ procedures and approval of Program Manager;
• Monitor monthly management accounts to ensure expenditure is accurately recorded and aligned with the budget;
• Report any suspected or actual financial irregularities;
• Monitor and manage partners’ budgets, financial reports, and deliverables.

Representation & Networking

• Collaborate with management to plan, establish, and maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders; particularly local authorities, donors, community associations, and peer NGOs at the state level;
• Identify and respond to any required documentation, reporting, renewals, registration with local authorities in coordination with Khartoum office;
• Participate regularly in cluster and other relevant coordination meetings.

Support Systems & People Management

• Oversee all operational aspects in NEF implementations in Cental Darfur State;
• Provide oversight and support to community trainers and coaches to ensure that activities are conducted on schedule and as described in the project workplan;
• Convene and chair regular staff meetings at appropriate intervals;
• Manage program and support staff to create an environment conducive for effective program implementation, effective teamwork, and morale;
• Ensure Procurement policy is properly implemented at the State level and adheres with NEF and Donor requirements and guidelines;
• Ensure that all activities related to logistics, property management, office inventory, and storage are in line with NEF policies and procedures;
• Ensure vehicle management policies are implemented at the location, and no exceptions are made;
• Ensure all equipment and services are functioning at all times, and related policies and procedures are well implemented;
• Ensure administration activities are all maintained properly following all required policies and procedures;
• Plan, lead and/or support training and capacity building engagement with teams including NEF’s code of conduct and ethics requirements;
• Provide needed orientation and ongoing coaching and mentorship to team members to build the capacity of teams and to ensure open and continuous communications;
• Manage the administrative requirements of field teams including timesheets, vacation and sick leave requests, and performance evaluations.

Security:

• Monitor, analyze and report on the security status in the program area, to the Safety and Security Officer or designee;
• Contribute to and ensure the implementation of security policies and standard operation procedures, and address security training needs;
• Coordinate with Security Officer or designee on security related issues;
• Maintain proper acceptable level of information sharing, and communication within the field office and others as appropriate;
• Coordinate with Safety and Security Officer and the Country Director for effective response in case of incidents or imminent threats;
• Ensure compliance with NEF Minimum Safety Standards and their effective application in the local context;
• Advise on any needed adaptations of country office minimum standards;
• Represent NEF in safety & security related meetings and forums at the local level.

Key Qualifications:

Note: Research suggests that women may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to succeed within this position and thrive at NEF to apply for this role.

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, agriculture, business administration, or relevant field;
• Seven years of demonstrated experience in developing and managing teams;
• Five years of experience in project management, preferably in agriculture, development, or related field;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, track, and communicate project progress using a variety of tools including Gantt charts, flow charts, and software packages such as Microsoft™ Office;
• Experience working with international non-governmental organizations;
• In-depth knowledge of the Central Darfur State operating context;
• Proven capacity to develop and maintain effective working relationship within a distributed and dynamic team;
• Fluency in spoken/ written Arabic and English required.

Position Criteria

• Demonstrated ability to work with multi-cultural teams;
• Develop and encourage new and innovative solutions;
• Excellent dispute resolution, facilitation and team building skills;
• Effective communicator.

NEF will accept rolling applications until the position is filled.  Review of applications will begin on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.  Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents to the Near East Foundation Careers Page at https://www.neareast.org/careers/ :

1. Cover letter outlining relevant experience and availability
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org**.**

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pre-employment Checks

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.
• Receipt of satisfactory references.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.