Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 15 Jun 2014
This position is contingent on funding
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps leads humanitarian assistance and recovery efforts in areas affected by Sudan’s 21-year civil war - the same areas where today’s peace is most fragile. Mercy Corps’ goal in Sudan is to support the transition to a fair and lasting peace. Our team is working hand in hand with communities to facilitate the transition from relief assistance to development. Our recovery projects improve the capacity of communities to accommodate returnees and pave the way for their peaceful reintegration. Our developmental projects support county governance capacity building to improve the delivery of basic services and increase the participation of national civil society organizations representing marginalized groups. Our market based livelihoods program provides cutting edge approaches to increase youth employment and SME sector in South Sudan. In addition to direct program delivery, Mercy Corps South Sudan is also actively involved in technical coordination of different thematic sectors such as Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), Education etc. at national lever. Given its technical merit & outstanding track record in FSL programing, Mercy Corps South Sudan has been nominated as NGO co-lead for FSL cluster in South Sudan and will be co-coordinating the cluster jointly with FAO & WFP.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Deputy Country Director and working along the FSL cluster leads, the cluster co-lead coordinates the planning and implementation of proportionate, appropriate and timely food security responses in humanitarian crisis situations which will address both the immediate needs of the affected populations while looking at the integration of livelihood stabilization and strengthening responses. This will be achieved through providing predictable, systematic and country-driven coordination support. S/he ensures an active involvement of the FSL stakeholder NGOs in the cluster activities and enables that NGOs concerns and priorities are adequately brought up to FSLC co-leads, Food security stakeholders are encouraged to participate in FSLC events; FSLC coordination effectiveness is reinforced.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Management
- Establish regular exchange with NNGOs and INGOs mechanisms.
- Ensure the accountability and transparency of the cluster's decision and work.
- Link with state NGO co-chairs to understand specific state concerns.
Cluster Management
- Contribute to the production of FSL cluster documents (policies, strategies, work plans, advocacy briefs, bulletins) on behalf of the NGO community.
- Work in collaboration with the UN co-lead agencies (WFP & FAO) to effectively ensure effective coordination is provided for food security & livelihood responses in the country.
- Motivate NGOs to participate in FSL cluster events (coordination meetings, working groups, training, workshop, assessments, etc.).
- Encourage FSL cluster members to report to FSLC about their achievements.
Representation
- Represent the NGO community at the monthly FSL cluster co-leads meetings.
- Maintain appropriate links and dialogue with national and local authorities, state institutions, local civil society.
- Represent the cluster in humanitarian forum where needed.
- Act as FSL cluster coordinator OIC whenever needed (leaves, provincial trips, conflict in agendas, etc.).
- Represent the NGOs during processes such as defenses of CAP, CHF before the respective boards.
Organizational Learning
- As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Country Director
- WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: FSL cluster leads (WFP & FAO; Mercy Corps Technical Support Unit (TSU); FSL Cluster Stakeholder NGOs; CHF secretariat; OCHA and other UN-Agencies; South Sudan NGO forum & Ministry of Agriculture Forestry, Cooperative & Rural Development (MoAFCRD) & Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries( MoARF)
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- MA/S or equivalent in agriculture, rural development, international development preferred
- 5 years’ experience in international relief and development in Africa, preferably including South Sudan
- Experience coordinating complex food security program portfolio
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO and NGO partners
- Experience working with programs in politically-turbulent and post-conflict environments
- Demonstrated ability to support complex programming and meet tight deadlines
- Skills in Arabic and/or local Sudanese languages preferred
SUCCESS FACTORS:
- Ability to effectively carry out duties as outlined in the JD & FSL Cluster.
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process.
- Willingness to learn and work in accordance with Mercy Corps and FSL cluster policies.
- Strong interpersonal and intellectual skills.
- Pro-active and ability to provide all round & effective leadership.
- Experience in advocacy and lobbying and networking.
- Ability to adhere to principle of neutrality
- Previous working experience in South Sudan preferably in food security & livelihoods.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This is an unaccompanied position as accommodation is provided in group housing. Staff will have access to basic medical services and will need to access Nairobi for anything requiring more advanced treatment. Housing is group accommodation with limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
How to apply:
Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...