Project Manager–Yei

Location: Yei Town, Central Equatoria State (CES)
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been present in South Sudan since 2005 with operations in
Central Equatoria (CES) and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states. Following development in the return patterns for refugees and IDPs in South Sudan, DRC is now in the process of refocusing its interventions in Central Equatoria State (CES) while expanding work in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

DRC is looking for a Project Manager to assist in the management and winding down of an ongoing project based in 3 counties around Yei Town while supporting development of the programme in two other Counties. DRC seeks a Project Manager (PM) to work on programming quality building on longterm work in the State, capturing lessons learned and enhancing monitoring and evaluation for impact assessment.

The PM will directly manage the second year of an existing project including development and execution of the exit strategy from the current areas of operation and a clear assessment of lessons learned and way forward for future improved programming under direct leadership and supervision of the DRC South Sudan Programme Representative.

Background
The overall objective for DRC in South Sudan is the protection and promotion of durable solutions to displacement for affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights with more immediate objectives focusing both on the immediate subsistence needs, livelihood including agricultural development and self-reliance support as well as a more long term focus on capacity building and sustainable solutions.

The interventions include non-food item distribution, agricultural income generation and livelihood support, infrastructure, protection, and various capacity building initiatives with duty bearers and local stakeholders.

Despite improvement over the last 5 years, the security situation in South Sudan in general may turn more volatile in view of the Jan. 9, 2011 referendum on separation from Northern Sudan. However, it is not expected that the CES operations will be disrupted as much as some areas closer to the North-South border of Sudan. Conflict in the Yei area is expected to continue to be limited with little new displacements expected.

DRC is a rights based organisation and a member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP), and therefore committed to documenting our accountability to the beneficiary population and the impact of our activities. DRC adopts a community-based approach, where beneficiaries and local authorities are included in the prioritising, planning and implementation of activities as an important measure of rehabilitation and capacity building.

Assuring the adherence with international human rights and HAP compliance constitutes some of the main challenges and priorities. This is relevant both in terms of consolidating and at the same time developing the programme in CES.

The Project Manager will continue the process of developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives and ensuring that the financial management and organisational procedures are adhered to while looking at opportunities for expansion and refocusing of the programme in Juba and Terekeka Counties of CES.

Duties
Reporting to the South Sudan Programme Representative, the Project Manager has overall responsibility for continued implementation of the DRC Danida Project in CES. Specific responsibilities include:

Management
• Ensuring smooth logistical and administrative operation of the Yei Town Office and two satellite offices and eventual exit strategy from these locations
• Represent DRC in the area of operation
• Oversee and conduct strategic planning and development of DRCs CES and South Sudan programme
Including identifying opportunities for new projects and pursuing possible donors.
• Help develop and formulate project proposals, concept papers and budgets in accordance with DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (e.g. Code of Conduct, DRC Operational Handbook, and DRC Programme Manual).
• Responsible for ensuring routine planning & timely reporting is done including short term and annual/project action plans.
• Coordination and good collaboration with all actors involved including local partners and authorities, as well as other donors and humanitarian actors in the area.
• Ensure routine contact with beneficiaries, target groups and representatives/authorities conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner for information, coordination etc.

Administration and Personnel Management
• Overall responsible for managing the office in Yei, Morobo and Lainya, including the overall financial budgeting and expenditures, staff management/supervision and discipline, administrative issues, security, logistics and other aspects pertaining to running of DRC offices, and adhering to DRC rules and guidelines.
Planning for exit strategy and ensuring assets transfer is smooth at the end of the project period.
• Assistance to the South Sudan Programme Representative in refocusing of DRC CES operations, including potential redeployment of some existing staff and assets at the end of the current project.
• Assess staff capacity and provide/recommend training and coaching to increase technical skills for improved project implementation especially in the area of Monitoring and evaluation.

Monitoring and Reporting
• Accounting for progress toward project objectives and the overall goals of DRC in CES including ensuring baseline data and monitoring reports are collected and used to demonstrate outcomes/impact of the project.
• Ensure that timely narrative and financial reports are provided to the South Sudan Programme Representative for checking before submission to donors
• Responsibility for preparing outgoing public reports in close collaboration with the DRC South Sudan Programme Representative.

Security
• Ensure appropriate information regarding security in the area is collected and shared
• Security planning, including development and regular updating of security and evacuation plans
and measures for the area, as well as implementation of contingency plan.
• Ensure that security incidents are reported to the DRC South Sudan Programme Representative, local NGO security bodies and DRC HQ.
Fundraising
• Take part in development of proposals for DRC planned operations in Juba and Terekeka Counties CES as requested by the South Sudan Programme Representative.

Accountability
• Guided by the DRC Programme Manual, continuously monitor programme quality and develop relevant
accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthen the effort to document the impact of
activities and DRC presence.

Qualifications
DRC invites qualified applicants matching the requirements listed above, with management and
technical/hands-on experience in managing budgets and projects, very familiar with humanitarian principles and practices, and experienced in representing an international organisation locally to external partners and authorities.
The applicant has experience operating in a volatile security environment. He/she has a good and operative insight into financial management and takes active responsibility in budget and expenditure planning and control.

In addition
• At least 5 years experience within humanitarian / development work. Experience with major
donors including EC, ECHO and UNHCR would be an advantage.
• Solid experience in oversight of a project– administration, financial and human resource
Management and a demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation competency.
• Experience in donor liaison, fundraising and networking
• Very strong negotiation, advocacy and communication skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Conditions
Availability: 1 January 2011

Duty station: Yei Town, Central Equatoria State

Contract: 1 year with a possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.
Salary and other conditions in accordance with background and experience. More information on DRC
can be found on our website www.drc.dk

Further information
You are welcome to contact the South Sudan Programme Co-ordinator for Sudan, Susan Watkins Mob: +249-955-205-432 for more information on the post. Applications sent directly to Ms. Watkins will however NOT be considered.

Applications should be sent by email to: Helle Mortensen Project Assistant mortensen.helle@drc.dk
Only applications including CV and motivational letter addressing the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.
Please forward the application letter and CV, in English and marked “PM South Sudan”, no later than
Friday 17 December 2010.

About DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world.
The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.
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