Head of Programs | Alight South Sudan Program
Reports to Alight South Sudan Program Country Director
Positions reporting - Program Managers, County Coordinators, Camp Manager/s | Full time
Who we are
Alight is and always has been about amazing global citizens taking action to change our world. Today, we’re facing challenging global humanitarian crises that require 21st Century solutions. But we’ve found that co-creating together with impassioned, dedicated people, limited only by their own imaginations, remains the key to designing new solutions that resonate. We still believe that ALIGHT should exist, first and foremost, as a platform for realizing the goodwill of everyday people – people from Sweden to Somalia, Minnesota to Malaysia, Uganda to the U.S.
We’ve found that something incredible will result as long as we begin the journey with amazing people, agree on a destination and move together towards it transparently and open to possibility.
If you are looking for a job, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a place where you can unleash your creativity, leverage your experience and that of those around you, we invite you to join us.
What we do
Alight exists to inspire and unleash the abundance in every person.
The overall objective of the Alight South Sudan Program program is to assist the South Sudanese to respond and react to the displaced. Our customers are South Sudanese women and children who are displaced, including those Refugees from neighboring countires. To achieve this objective, ALIGHT implements a multi-sectoral program that includes Nutrition, WASH and Gender Based Violence (GBV), prevention and response activities, Shelter and Camp Management. ALIGHT has program activities in Greater Central Equatoria, Upper Nile and Northern Bahr el Gazal.
What you will do
Based in Juba with frequent travel to project locations, the Head of Programs (HoP) will assume direct responsibility for the overall management and coordination of the various components of the Alight South Sudan Program. S/he provides overall leadership and direction to program staff and support to the Country Director to strengthen the program development, strategies, program quality, partnerships, and accountability in accordance with ALIGHT and donor policies. The HoP will work directly with Country Coordinators and Program Managers, who retain principal responsibility for the day-to-day management of their respective sectors and/or field sites. The HoP will work in close coordination with other departments and management staff to provide outstanding support to the field operations and to collaborate with Headquarters on program related issues.
In addition, the HoP will actively lead and participate in program strategy formation and development. S/he will also coordinate closely with Finance and the program managers/county coordinators to ensure that all program spending remains within approved limits. S/he will be responsible for ensuring all teams are sufficiently successful in monthly burn rates and spending. Finally, the HoP will provide the Country Director with program updates on a regular basis, help on strategizing, coordination mechanisms and donor relations.
Your day to day responsibilities
Program Implementation
- Provide oversight and leadership to all aspects of program implementation in South Sudan, including ensuing timely reporting, compliance and quality utilizing routine monitoring and feedback into program implementation.
- Ensure effective and transparent planning and use of financial resources in compliance with ALIGHT and donor policies and priorities.
- Lead Sector Coordinators and County and Program Managers, in compiling and developing work plans and achieve benchmarks for program activities including spending plans, cash need identification and burn rates.
- Document lessons learned and best practices for dissemination within Alight, to donors and to other agencies and interested parties, and ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration in South Sudan
- To ensure all programs are evaluated or reviewed in a thorough and timely fashion and that lessons learned are fed back into improved programming
- Ensure timely and targeted communication and information flow to all internal and external parties and coordination with the Country Director, donors, field offices and other program partners to remain informed about program achievements
- Effectively stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations; compile and update applicable local policies; and train ALIGHT program staff in these policies.
- With the Operations and Finance teams continually evaluate current methodologies and policies, determine their effectiveness and provide suggestions on ways to improve compliance, and to ensure program and organizational success
- Produce regular and timely situation reports for the Country Director.
Program Development and Strategy
- Lead program development initiatives including writing concepts, proposals, and budgets in line with donor requirements.
- Collaborate closely with the Country Director, program staff and Headquarters Program Development staff in the development and design of innovative initiatives to drive new business development
- Participate in country level strategic planning and contribute to the sustainable management of program growth with a continual eye to new program development that meets the needs of beneficiaries and the strategic needs of ALIGHT.
- As required represent Alight South Sudan Program programs to funders and potential donors.
- Cultivate key relationships that enhance Alight’s visibility and efficacy in its area of operations as well as new business development opportunities.
Team Management / Capacity Building
- Effectively manage a team of expatriate and South Sudanese managers, technical experts, and program staffers located at sites throughout the country with an emphasis on excellence, promoting a culture of Co-creation, learning and innovation
- Contribute to securing sufficient human resources for the program in order to meet its objectives.
- Encourage the promotion of national staff to senior program positions where possible through provision of appropriate training and mentoring.
- To ensure that all program staff have up-to-date job descriptions, agreed objectives and that systematic Performance and Development Review processes are undertaken at all levels and with program staff.
- Assist the human resources and administration department in the development of job descriptions, recruitment and orientation of staff.
- Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget
- Conduct annual performance reviews and lead ongoing performance monitoring for all direct reports
- Provide daily oversight to programmatic needs and collaborate closely with the operations, finance, grants, HR and administrative teams in support of field office operations including reporting, grant administration and implementation.
- Collaborate closely with Sector Coordinators, County and Program Managers and M & E team to incorporate staff development into performance management and team building processes.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the CD or ALIGHT Senior Management as necessary.
The skills and experience we’re seeking
- Master’s Degree in International Development, Public Health, Project Management, Humanitarian Assistance, Social Science or related field.
- Over 5 years of progressively responsible international experience in program management leadership and design with at least two years at senior management level preferably in African countries in conflict or post-conflict settings.
- Specific experience in Shelter and WASH required.
- Prior experience with UNHCR and BHA required.
- Prior experience in South Sudan is highly preferred.
- Knowledge of the regional political and social conditions.
- Demonstrated experience and skill in proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Experience effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners and a variety of working with and coordinating with a variety of donors including USAID, EU, DFID,
- Excellent English writing, analytical and strategic thinking skill, with proven ability to create and utilize qualitative and quantitative analyses in organizational planning
Qualities top candidates will possess
- Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary.
- Ability to cope and lead in a challenging environment.
- Knowledge of the regional political and social conditions.
- Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.
- Ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment.
- Capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.
- Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.
- Ability to influence others through kindness, humor and patience.
- Strong abilities to facilitate mediate and play a supporting role.
- Ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy.
- Ability to manage ambiguity, frustration and stress in self and others.
- Confident and decisive leadership.
- Desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
- Demonstrated experience and ability to represent the organization and negotiate and defend Alight’s interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations, and other groups professionally and appropriately.
- Willingness to live in shared accommodation.
Benefits
Health, dental, long-term disability, life and AD&D, MedEvac, Worker’s Comp Insurance – We cover 100% of your health and 75% of your spouse/dependent’s health. We also pay 100% of the premiums for long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance for you.
Retirement – We contribute 6% of your salary regardless of your contribution amount, after one year of service.
Flexible Leave Time – Between general leave, home leave and holidays, you have ample opportunity to take time off when you need it.
Great Resources – 24/7 support from headquarters for all functions and services your team needs to effectively deliver top-notch customer service.
Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
