Country Director – Sudan

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organisation works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development programmes in more than 60 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 255 million euros, with 4794 employees worldwide.

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation: www.hi.org

JOB CONTEXT:

More than a year into the civil war in Sudan, over 16 000 people have been killed, although the actual figures are probably higher. Far from signs of de-escalation, the conflict has expanded to areas once considered safe.

Currently, Sudan is the country hosting the largest number of IDP worldwide. IOM estimates that 10,7 million individuals are displaced while 2,3 million sought refuge in neighboring countries.
The war in Sudan has left around 25 million people currently in need of humanitarian assistance, with critical protection concerns driving intersectoral severity to the “catastrophic” level. 755 000 people are at high risk of famine, while several areas are currently in confirmed situations of famine.

Increasing prices of food and fuel are worsening humanitarian needs, while a shrinking economy is causing widespread poverty. On top of this, humanitarian access continues to be exceedingly difficult due to the enduring conflict, ongoing insecurity, theft of humanitarian commodities, assaults on humanitarian workers and frontline responders, fuel shortages, and bureaucratic hindrances.
In 2024, the UN is seeking $4.1 billion to support the Sudanese in Sudan ($2.7 billion) and Sudanese refugees and host communities in neighboring countries ($1.4 billion. In 2023, the response within Sudan was 43% funded, and the response for neighboring countries was 38% funded.

Finally, HI 2025 strategy plans to scale up interventions significantly, from both geographical and sectoral perspectives.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the responsibility of the HI’s Emergency Manager, the Country Director contributes within his/her geographical area to the implementation of the mandate and the Strategy of Humanity & Inclusion. He/she ensures optimal quality and impact of the activities in the Program, through a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms. He/she shares with all HI managers the responsibility of sound management and successful functioning of the global organization.

In line with the current project objectives, the Country Director will lead the successful program management from Nairobi with regular travels to Sudan when possible. S/he will ensure sound monitoring of the project in line with the expected outcomes of the project.

With a strong link with the national partner, s/he will act as the partnership focal point with the implementing partner in Sudan, making sure that the partnership agreements are applied, and the collaboration is smooth between HI team and the partner.

Mission 1: MANAGEMENT

• Contributes to the development of his or her staff, creating the conditions for their commitment, professionalism, and attachment to HI. Ensures compliance with the code of conduct of institutional policies, the state of mind and the expected individual and collective behaviour.
• Understand the strategy, make it explicit, translate it into operational objectives for his or her team, and lead the necessary changes. Give meaning to each management action. Encourage inter and intra-departmental exchanges of practice. Encourage innovation and risk-taking.
• Organise the operational and partnership management of his/her team, structure the work around identified processes, steer performance and facilitate the resolution of problems.

Mission 2: STRATEGY AND STEERING

• Ensure the definition, implementation, and adaptation of the HI Strategy in the Program:
• Be responsible for fundraising and resource planning:
  • Develop regular contacts with donors at field level and regularly inform the Institutional Funding teams.
  • Ensure the best allocation of resources to match Program ambitions, and plan accordingly (including support missions).
• Ensure the deployment and compliance with HI global frameworks, institutional policies, and standards.
• Conduct partnership Steering Committees with his/her direct managers/counterpart: the operational partner and HI project team
• Ensure the design of project proposals for the continuity or expansion of the project or the development of new projects upon request.

Mission 3: OPERATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION

• Be responsible for security management: in link with the Humanitarian Access and Security Manager and HQ specialist, develop a culture of safety & security at the Program level (Sudan level); ensure that security documents are developed, up-to-date and that all necessary measures are in place; ensure incident management and reporting according to HI frameworks.
• Ensure financial control and monitoring of operations are effective in the Program: consolidation, control, and reporting of operational and organizational elements within the Program (dashboards, corrective measures, unrestricted funds consumption, etc.)
• Ensure technical quality standards are applied in the projects of the Program and monitor the implementation of evaluations and donor audits’ recommendations.
• With both potential opportunities and risks in mind, ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of current developments for the Sudan’s Program: implement analysis and monitoring of risks related to HI presence and activities; take mitigation actions when relevant.

Mission 4: REPRESENTATION, INFLUENCE AND LEADERSHIP

• In conjunction with the Country Manager Kenya (for HI’s mission in Kenya), the Country Director-Sudan represents the overall HI’s response in internally and externally and promotes a high reputation and positive image of HI. This includes:
• Support HI’s registration process in Sudan
• Employer’s representative responsibilities and compliance with local working regulations both in Kenya and in Sudan
• Communications on behalf of HI.
• Representation of HI vis-à-vis local, national, traditional, political, military and diplomatic authorities and bodies
• Representation of HI vis-à-vis international organizations and coordination mechanisms & system.
• Negotiation and signature of operational partnerships.
• Develop external influence of HI (forums, operational & strategic alliances, etc.) and the external representation of the organization (events, media) in the Program’s geographical scope

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and a national NGO has started a project in Sudan. Due to the administrative constraints to obtain visas in Sudan and pending registration approval the HI team is based in Nairobi, providing remote support to the national partner. Depending on visa approval, HI team will travel to Sudan for field and monitoring visits. The project includes physical and functional rehabilitation, MHPSS, Protection and Inclusive Humanitarian Action activities

YOUR PROFILE:

Educational background and experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience at key management positions within international organizations
• Management experience in humanitarian, security, and emergency programs
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and teamworking skills.
• Motivated by constant program adaptation to an evolving context and set up of partnerships with local and international partners.
• Ability to travel and work in a tense and volatile context with strict security measures.
• Proven experience in negotiations with institutional donors, project writing and reporting.
• Shows accountability, leadership, diplomacy and pragmatism.

Skills required:

Global Management of Programs:

• Organizational management
• Change management.
• Operational strategy
• Major risks management
• Context & stakeholders’ analysis
• Representation, partnerships management

Other professional skills

• Financial and budget management
• Donor contract negotiation and grant management
• HR: Staff administration (except pay) and organization design
• Information security management
• Partnership management and development

Language skills

• English mandatory, Arabic is an asset.

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

• 6 months International contract starting from 1st, November 2024;
• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
  • Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals;
  • Pension scheme;
  • Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution;
  • Repatriation insurance paid by HI;
• Salary from 3232€ gross/month upon experience;
• Perdiem: 510,43€ net/month – paid in the field
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
• R&R: 1 day per month
• Position: Unaccompanied / open to couples:
  • Support travel costs (air ticket & visa) for accompanying dependent and health/ repatriation insurance if the dependent has no income;
• Housing: Individual taken in charge by HI;
• If you are resident in the country: local package.