Closing date: 04 Jan 2013
Job Description Position: Programme Director Location: Juba, South Sudan Responsible to: Executive Director Responsible for: Programme Manager, Programme Officers, Health Coordinator, Nutrition Coordinator, Reproductive Health (RH) Coordinator, and Area Coordinators, Finance and Admin Manager, Finance Officers, M&E officer, Logistic Officers, Duration: ASAP for 24 months Salary: $42,180 – $42,930 per annum pro-rata (dependent on relevant experience) inclusive of cost of living allowance. Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, travel, R&R, annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with THESO Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date. Please note that this is an unaccompanied position
THESO The Health Support Organization is a leading registered South Sudanese humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering in the world’s poorest places. THESO respond with healthcare and WASH services, when people are overwhelmed by natural disaster, conflict or disease and in need of immediate help. We focus on treating those who are beyond the reach of existing health services. After the immediate crisis, THESO stays on to assist recovery. Using our expertise, we support health workers and strengthen existing health services. We build resilience by helping societies at risk of future health disasters, to be better prepared. We believe that everyone has the right to access and utilize free healthcare. We believe good health is fundamental to transforming societies in transition that’s why THESO is A Force for Health.
Context and Background The goal of THESO mission is to continue addressing the health and humanitarian needs in Republic of South Sudan currently in a precarious situation which is on the rise and continues to become more complex as the security, food availability, social services and economic situations are worsening. The emergency health needs of the populations of humanitarian concern continue to rise due to the population explosion, coupled with malnutrition and poor sanitation conditions especially in the critical states of Lakes, Warrap, Upper Nile, Unity, Jonglei and Northern Bahr El Gazel. This has been worsened by the current flooding that has affected over 40 counties making it very difficult to access the vulnerable population. The existing health facilities are inadequate for the host communities, let alone for the returnees and refugees, and are now severely overstretched with the increased number of displaced population, refugees and returnees, and these facilities will continue to face an enormous task of coping with the increasing need for life saving emergency health services and as such tit is of utmost importance that THESO . In addition, THESO is continuously building the capacity of the states and county system that was heavily disrupted due to long-term conflict that has led to the host community being underserved/underserved in essential health care and WASH services.
THESO has been working in South Sudan since late 2005, and currently runs 4 field project offices across South Sudan. However, the five years strategic plan (2012 – 2016) includes expansion of its programme within the current four states and into other parts of South Sudan, deepen its working relationship with host government partners at all levels, develop a gradual exit strategy to allow the smooth transfer of specific health facilities to MOH, and support affected people with emergency response, recovery and resilience programmes. The primary focus of THESO programme is primary health care and community based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) and Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH). The special emphasis is given to maternal and child health care services. The program strategy includes establishment of static and outreach clinics in the IDP camps and underserved rural areas to ensure access to essential care and building local capacity through a community based outreach component and engage with Ministry of Health at State and Locality levels in regards to collaboration, coordination and technical support supervision. The new 2016 strategic plan allows THESO to integrate emergency response with early recovery and building resilience and expand country programme portfolio in South Sudan states and elsewhere in the country. In 2011, THESO plans to be operational in four states to be able to provide improved primary health care services to IDPs, returnees and host communities in the selected locations to consolidate programme quality, improve the community involvement in the program planning and implementation through a revised community based approach, capacity building of national staffs and strengthen the capacity of local health system by increased engagement with the renowned partnership with MOH in regards to support, supervision, training and policy development.
Main purpose of the role The Programme Director (PD) leads the strategic development and overall management of the rapidly growing THESO South Sudan Country Programme. The Programme Director is overall responsible for building the capacity of THESO team and for cultivating a performance based results-focused culture, ensuring programme, research and operational departments work in an integrated manner and towards a common vision. The Programme Director anticipates and manages risks, fostering a culture of accountability, and ensuring organisational resources are used in a cost-effective manner to maximize impact. The Programme Director is also responsible for positioning THESO as a leading national organisation in the health sector in South Sudan through actively representing THESO at national policy forums and managing its partnership with the Ministry of Health and relationships with other relevant Government departments. In addition, the Programme Director builds strategic partnerships and institutional relationships, which will further THESO’s organisational mandate. The Programme Director ensures that knowledge generated by the Country Programme is effectively documented and shared in order to inform ongoing quality improvement processes in THESO’s programming, and its advocacy and policy engagement initiatives in South Sudan, Africa and globally.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Programme Development Provides vision and guidance in overseeing the development of the Country Programme’s multi-year strategic and annual plans in line with THESO’s vision, mission and strategic priorities, including narrative, action plans and budgets. Actively contribute to the national and international organisation’s overall strategic planning processes. Leads direct reports in the delivery of annual plans, providing strategic direction through prioritizing and organising actions and resources to achieve programme and organisational objectives, as well as providing technical input and advice. Provides oversight to ensure that programme and research activities are implemented in line with organisational standards and best practices, and in accordance with internal and external commitments. Ensures that THESO is appropriately accountable to programme beneficiaries, the Ministry of Health, other partners, and complies with all guidelines and laws relevant to its sector work and overall operations. Manage THESO’s partnership with the Ministry of Health and relationship with other relevant Government departments. Builds strategic partnerships and institutional relationships with like-minded actors and organisations which will further THESO’s organisational mandate. Oversees the negotiation and management of formal partnership agreements, to ensure all parties meet their commitments and achieve the intended impacts. Oversees the management of donor grants and ensures full compliance with donor agreements including the delivery of committed results, appropriate management of financial resources in line with donor regulations, and timely submission of reports. For major programme grants from South Sudan-based donors, act as the official channel of communication for donor contacts and negotiate any agreement amendments/addendums and budget revisions. Provides oversight and direction to ensure alignment between programmatic work and the organisational M&E framework, routine collection of M&E data in accordance with internal and external requirements. Ensure that M&E data is routinely used to assess and improve programme performance, to report on results, and to contribute to overall organizational learning.
Operations Oversight Provides leadership, management and development of national and international staff. Line manages members of the senior management team (SMT), mentoring key position holders, identifying capacity-building needs.
Responsible for the overall financial management of the Country Programme.
Ensures financial controls, accountability standards, procedures and records are in place and adhered to as per THESO’s financial policies and procedures.
Oversee the management of the allocation of resources and assets, ensuring that appropriate monitoring and control mechanisms are in place and that these are maintained at all levels.
Manage the overall country budget within approved spending levels and oversee monthly cash flow to ensure steady and adequate funds for operational and programme expenditure.
Maintains an overview of potential/current funding gaps and ensures these are incorporated into HQ and globally-initiated proposals/donor asks.
Ensures adherence by all South Sudan Country Programme staff to THESO organisational policies and procedures.
Advocacy and Representation
Represents THESO to local and national authorities, donors and relevant partners, and as part of media and external visits. Actively participate in national policy forums and working groups, and other relevant forums in South Sudan and internationally, in order to further THESO’s vision and mandate. Ensure programmatic work is informed by, and responsive to, national and international developments in policy and practice, and where appropriate, contributes to developments in and changes to policy/practice.
Contribute to the ongoing development of THESO’s advocacy strategy and agenda, ensuring programmatic alignment to its global objectives and translating these into appropriate action in the South Sudanese context. In collaboration with other actors (civil society, government, donor and/or multi-lateral), identify areas of potential influence and ensure that knowledge and evidence generated by THESO’s Country Programme and organisationally is effectively applied at local, national and international levels in order to realize THESO’s vision and bring positive change to its target groups.
Fund Development
Explore, assess and present in-country and regional funding opportunities relevant to THESO’s strategic priorities and Country Programme plans. Develop and maintain positive relationships with in-country donor agencies.
Develop an annual both in-country and global fund development plan and negotiate annual fundraising and cost-recovery targets. Oversee the implementation of the plan; support and direct related fund development in the head office.
Contribute to the writing and review process of institutional proposals initiated ensuring alignment to plans and identified funding needs.
Organizational Development
Assess opportunities for organisational development and growth programme and the resources/systems/capacities required to support these potential areas. Identify areas of current work that requires further support, capacity building and/or resources.
Participate in strategic organisational discussions, processes and working groups to expand current, or develop new, areas of programmatic work (outside of South Sudan). Contribute to organisational policy development processes, contributing South Sudan experience and perspectives.
Qualifications
MPH or equivalent postgraduate degree in International Health, Development Studies, Masters in International Humanitarian Assistance, International Relations or similar discipline. MD with a postgraduate diploma in public health is strongly preferred.
Experienced leader with at least 5-10 years senior management experience in multiple countries; at least 3-5 years as the head of a medium to large country programme of an INGO that focuses on health, preferably in Sub Sahara Africa especially in East Africa
Minimum of 3 years international experience working in public health, health systems strengthening and health management programming; strong knowledge and experience of the health and nutrition clusters in a developing countries
Extensive experience in high level representation at policy level, managing government relations and working in partnership with MOH’s and other national level stakeholders, with demonstrated success in bringing about evidence-based policy change at the organisational and local/national government levels
Demonstrated success in country programme strategic planning, programme design and organisational development
Track record in building, leading and developing high performance teams with a range of backgrounds and expertise
Proven track record is building a sustainable funding base for programmes including securing medium to large-scale institutional grants
Extensive experience in budget control, budget management and donor compliance is highly desirable
Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of complex programmes; practical understanding of quantitative and qualitative research data collection in support of programme development
Sound understanding of practical innovation within the health sector and the ability to foster organisational culture that champions this approach
Ability to identify and analyze opportunities that contribute to strategic aims, and translate them into practical plans and actions
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal, relationship-building, negotiating communication and diplomatic skills; excellent verbal and written English skills
ORGANISATION DETAIL Organisation: The Health Support Organisation (THESO) URL: www.thesoworld.org
How to apply:
Interested applicant should send her/his CV with covering letter and supporting documents addressing it to the Human Resource Manager, The Health Support Organisation Email: jobs@thesoworld.org copying hr@thesoworld.org
THESO is an equal opportunity employer and women candidates are encouraged to apply
NB: Only shortlisted applicants shall be contacted for interviews.