Program Manager DRR & Foodsecurity

Introduction

Cordaid projects and programs include Community managed disaster risk reduction & livelihood security, Emergency response & recovery, Agriculture & food security, Health, Security & justice, Women leadership for peace, Entrepreneurship, Investments and Extractives. Cordaid focuses its work in South Sudan on both disaster response and recovery (in disaster-affected areas) and longer-term development programs (in areas where this is possible during the current crisis), and on lobby and advocacy activities on the above topics. For more information see: https://www.cordaid.org/en/countries/south-sudan/ Presently, Cordaid is expanding its programme in different parts of the country. For that purpose additional technical capacity is required.

Position and main responsibility

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Food Security Program Manager will manage and grow the disaster risk reduction and food security programs in South Sudan. Her/his main responsibility is to ensure quality DRR &FS programming that responds to the needs of communities and align with the value propositions of the two programs. S/he will identify opportunities for disaster risk reduction and food programs based on ongoing assessments, market analysis and coordination with other agencies. The PM’s work is expected to bridge current short/medium-term recovery, and develop a longer-term strategy in the current context of South Sudan. The PM is expected to continually validate and develop programs and strategies, based on field reality and new funding opportunities. The PM will also ensure strong collaboration and coordination with other actors such as cluster partners and Caritas Diocesan partners, civil society partners, private sector and state ministries.

Tasks and responsiblities

Disaster Risk Reduction/Food security leadership:

• Provide programmatic and technical oversight of disaster risk reduction and food security projects in South Sudan;
• Lead expansion and growth of disaster risk reduction and food security programming in the conflict-affected areas;
• Identify public, non-profit and private organizations for cross learning for the development and implementation of resilience and food security programs;
• Liaise with head office staff for learning and quality program leadership;
• Provide support for disaster risk reduction and food security staff in the field locations; role may include direct supervision of some of these staff;
• Develop support for post harvest small business development, and micro-finance/banking. Management and Program Implementation:
• Ensure timely program planning, implementation and reporting of both short and long term program activities;
• Collaborate with program managers and program officers in HO to ensure all information is tracked according to program needs and donor requirements;
• Ensure regular reports/program updates for sharing both internally and externally;
• Regularly communicate with the team and engage team members in key decision making;
• Coach project officers based in Torit and Wau. Partnership, Representation and Coordination:
• Represent Cordaid (as delegated by CD) at the relevant cluster meetings and food security and disaster risk reduction focused coordination forums and platforms as well as National Early Warning Technical Working Groups;
• Support capacity building of partners (Caritas and civil society organizations) for quality project implementation;
• Coordinate all DRR and Food Security activities with other actors (international and national NGO’s, private sector) in the areas, seeking synergies and avoid duplication;
• As required, prepare project documents and other material to develop or promote coordination activities. Learning, Program Development and Growth:
• Contribute to appropriate project tracking and knowledge management systems for all activities;
• Identify program areas for improvement and work with the Country Director, Emergency and Preparedness Manager and other program managers to design appropriate solutions;
• Provide regular monitoring of and technical support for implementing partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, international development, disaster risk management or related field or equivalent experience;
• At least 7 years’ experience working within international development, including direct experience in fragile and post conflict environments in a developing country; 3 years’ experience in supervising teams;
• Demonstrated ability managing grants and projects, including project design, proposal development, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation etc.;
• At least 5 years’ experience in disaster risk reduction, resilience building and value chain development programs and/or projects;
• Experience in community managed/based disaster risk reduction, farmers field schools and pastoral field school approaches;
• At least 3 years’ experience working with value chain approach, agricultural recovery, small business development, agro-enterprise, micro-finance/banking, and/or livelihoods development;
• Proven track record for leading the development of high quality proposals;
• Demonstrated experience exploring, managing and strengthening partnerships;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills – innovative thinker;
• Experience developing and leading trainings and workshops;
• Ability to create a team environment and coordinate with colleague program managers in the team and to manage time, prioritize tasks, respond quickly to requests;
• Excellent communication (in English!), inter-personal and problem solving skills;
• Excellent computer skills.