Country Director South Sudan (full-time)

Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF-Suisse) is a politically and religiously neutral humanitarian organisation with its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. Its mission is to improve the wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable populations by promoting the health and productivity of their livestock within a healthy environment. VSF-Suisse works in humanitarian aid as well as in development cooperation and is currently active in 7 countries in West and East Africa.

For its country office in Juba, as of 1 January 2024, VSF-Suisse is looking for a:

Country Director South Sudan (full-time)

Duties and Responsibilities

The Country Director is a dynamic leader who ensures the achievement of VSF-Suisse’s goals in South Sudan and who guides the staff with his/her extraordinary commitment. In close collaboration and under the supervision of the Programme Manager based in Berne, Switzerland, he/she leads the organization’s South Sudan programme. In particular the Country Director will:

• Have the overall responsibility of the presence, its humanitarian and development projects, and all other activities of VSF-Suisse in South Sudan;
• Lead the further development of the project portfolio of VSF-Suisse in South Sudan with a strong focus on the mobilization of funds through the identification and acquisition of projects, both pro-actively and by responding to calls for proposals;
• Supervise and guide the programmatic work;
• Motivate, empower, and lead a team of approximately 40 collaborators in Juba and 3 field offices;
• Have the financial responsibility of the programme and the project portfolio by guaranteeing a smooth cash flow, the effective utilization of funds, accurate and timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders, and compliance with donor requirements;
• Assure the internal communication between the field teams, the country office team, and the head office in Berne and promote dialogue with VSF-Suisse offices in other countries in West and East Africa;
• Represent the organization with donors, partners, public authorities at all levels, communities, project participants, and the general public;
• Develop and maintain partnerships and networks with important stakeholders.

Requirements

S/he has a long-term experience in the management of a country programme of an international NGO and in leading teams, sound knowledge in the field of humanitarian aid and development cooperation, and a strong ability to communicate and network with partners, donors, public authorities, and the general public.

• University degree in veterinary medicine or an adjacent field (e.g. agronomy) with thorough practical work experience in animal health, livestock and agricultural production, and/or local food systems;
• Further training in management and finance (e.g. MBA);
• 7 to 10 years of experience in the management of an NGO with strong qualities in leadership and organizational development;
• Thorough knowledge and experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating humanitarian aid and development programmes and projects in areas such as food security and rural development in South Sudan;
• Proven experience in strategic financial management (budgeting and planning, controlling, decision-making, cash flow management, risk and compliance management)
• Proven experience in HR management (planning, recruitment, performance management, learning & development);
• Ease in networking, negotiating, and communicating with multilateral, bilateral, and private institutional donors, (I)NGOs, and government as well as good knowledge of the donor landscape in South Sudan;
• Experience in working within a multicultural environment;
• Willingness to make regular field trips for supervision of the programme, empowerment of field staff, and exchange with key stakeholders;
• Proficient English language skills; another South Sudanese language is a strong asset;
• The incumbent is ideally a national of South Sudan or another country in the Greater Horn of Africa region with residency or a work permit in South Sudan.

VSF-Suisse is committed to promoting diversity and achieving gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

What we offer

• A qualified, dynamic and highly motivated team in the country as well as in the organization’s head office;
• A unique and relevant project portfolio seeking to improve livestock-based livelihoods;
• The opportunity to actively contribute to the future of a middle-sized international NGO in South Sudan and beyond;
• A challenging, but rewarding job in a demanding environment;
• A competitive local salary as well as a medical and social insurance scheme.

Duty station

Juba, South Sudan, with regular travel to project locations in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Jonglei and Unity States, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, and other areas of South Sudan if and when strategically relevant.

Entry date

1 January 2024, fixed-term contract of one year to be converted after into a permanent contract.

How to apply

Further information and application procedure

Sara IMBACH

Programme Manager

sara.imbach@vsf-suisse.org

We look forward to receiving your application in English. Please add:

1. A strong motivation letter of 1 page maximum, stating why you are interested in this position and what makes you the right person for it;
2. A CV of 2 pages maximum;
3. Scanned copies of your work certificates and relevant university diplomas & certificates;
4. Three references to contact

Send your application only by e-mail to recruitment@vsf-suisse.org by 3 September 2023 (midnight, CET). First round interviews are planned between 13 and 19 September online. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.