Deputy Director – Program Operations Lead (DD – PO) / Senior Director – Sector team

Position Title: Deputy Director – Program Operations Lead (DD – PO) / Senior Director – Sector team

Hiring Organization: World Vision US, to be paid from the US

Location: Juba, South Sudan

Type of employment: Consulting contractor

Duration of contract: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 (with the possibility of extension)

Background

The CORE Group Partnership Project (CGPP) is a multi-country, multi-partner initiative providing financial support, on-the-ground technical assistance and guidance to strengthen host country efforts to eradicate polio and strengthen immunization systems. The premise of this project is to work through existing networks of international and local NGOs with established child survival activities in hard-to-reach areas with poor immunization coverage. A country-level Secretariat coordinates the work of CGPP partner organizations in a way that complements all implementing partners’ work. The project work supports the national action plan for polio eradication.

Purpose of consultancy

The Deputy Director – Program Operations (DD – PO) contractor will work closely with the CGPP South Sudan Secretariat Director in all aspects of program operations both at secretariat and field levels. In particular, the Deputy Director – Program Operations will supervise a team of Program Managers for Greater Equatoria, Greater Bahr el Ghazel, and Greater Upper Nile Regions to ensure quality project implementations, and support field operations. The Deputy Director- Program Operations will work closely with and serve as an officer-in-charge as delegated by the Secretariat Director.

1. Based in Juba, South Sudan the position holder will support and strengthen the operational capacity of the Secretariat and PVO/NGO partners in South Sudan. He/She will ensure the quality and completeness of the field operations of CGPP.
2. Ensure that CGPP field activities support CGPP objectives and are consistent with global and national strategies for polio, Global Health Security, WASH, and Maternal and Child Health (Immunization) for South Sudan.
3. Provide inputs/feedback about required modifications in project implementation to the Secretariat Director and technical staff. He/She will be responsible for managing and supervising all CGPP field operations and communications and will oversee the development and implementation of project budgets, budget forecasts and work plans. He/She will also maintain and enhance the Secretariat office relationship with the CGPP partners.
4. In case of any detection of any wild poliovirus anywhere in the country, the position holder will assist the Secretariat Director and Deputy Director – Technical Lead (DD – TL) in providing the support required to rapidly respond through the expansion of the NGO network, engagement in the outbreak response activities and guide the project in its response.
5. S/he will be the officer in charge of the day-to-day management of the secretariat office in terms of the office space and work closely with World Vision South Sudan on all matters pertaining to logistics and fleet management.

SPECIFIC TASKS: Reporting to the Secretariat Director, this position holder will be responsible for the following CORE Group Partners Project activities as a Deputy Director – Program Operations:

• Monitor the partners’ adherence to the approved budgets and work plans and make any necessary program adjustments to ensure work plans are completed within budget.
• Monitor and track the implementation of each implementing partner’s planned activities in the approved workplan and expenses to ensure the burn rate is optimal to avoid overspending or underspending.
• Monitor the field operations performed by the Secretariat and CGPP partners and make necessary program adjustments to ensure that they are implemented effectively and appropriately and contribute to the goals and objectives of the CGPP and the national polio eradication effort.
• Responsible for monitoring and mentoring Project Managers and Project Coordinators designated for each of the three regions supported by CGPP.
• Review, approve, and monitor all training plans and scope of work developed by the Project Managers.
• Monitor progress toward CGPP polio eradication goals and strategies and, in coordination with the CGPP DD – TL, make necessary adjustments to ensure they contribute to the national and global eradication of polio and the quality and sustainability of AFP surveillance and routine immunization services.
• Provide the technical oversight to conduct training on AFP surveillance, immunization system strengthening, MEAL, WASH, GHS, and social mobilization, working with the DD-TL and other responsible persons at the secretariat to determine the training needs under the Secretariat’s guidance.
• Maintain close formal and informal networking and communications with national and international polio partners and stakeholders, ensuring that NGO and community needs are communicated to them and that technical advances, policy changes, and other relevant information are communicated to all CGPP partners.
• Manage all communications with CGPP Project Managers, Project Coordinators and implementing partners working in South Sudan.
• In the absence of the secretariat Director and the Deputy Director –Technical lead, she/he will represent the interests of CGPP and its partners in meetings with USAID and other donors and stakeholders, and report on those meetings to the CGPP Deputy Director – Technical Lead in the absence of the Secretariat Director.
• In collaboration with the M&E Coordinator, produce the first draft for CGPP monthly reports, and ensure the timely submission to the Secretariat Director for final review.
• Work closely with Program Managers to ensure all programs at the field level and related reports are collated, reviewed, and of high quality for submission to the CGPP South Sudan Secretariat Director weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually.
• Convene monthly partners coordination meetings follow up on the key discussion points and actions required at CGPP monthly partners coordination meetings.
• Oversee all project monitoring, evaluation and surveillance activities and guide the interpretation of the analyzed data.
• Collaborating with the DD-TL and other secretariat staff, conduct operational research based on the CGPP implementing projects.
• Convene regular meetings with the Program Managers and Project Coordinators to share lessons learned, disseminate information, discuss challenges, solicit feedback, etc.
• Upon the request of the CGPP HQ and Secretariat Director, represent CGPP in regional and international meetings.
• In collaboration with the M&E Coordinator, Project Managers, and Grant Manager convene and facilitate joint and individual meetings with the partners to support the development of annual budgets and work plans.
• Monitor the implementation of the workplan to ensure activities are on course and track the secretariat expenditure pattern by reviewing monthly and quarterly financial reports. Make recommendations for corrective action if required.
• Monitor the field operations of all CGPP partners to ensure that the Secretariat and CGPP partner staff’s capacity-building efforts support their activities.
• Monitor all field operations and activities to ensure that they support the stated project goals and objectives of CGPP.
• The DD-PO will participate in hiring Secretariat staff whenever necessary.
• Participate and represent CGPP in national coordination meetings as assigned by the Secretariat Director.
• Carries out any additional tasks delegated by the Secretariat Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relational management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in public health program operations.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Women are encouraged to apply.

Required Languages – English language, and local languages.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises secretariat staff as assigned by the Secretariat Director.

Working Relationships

Internal: Secretariat Director, Deputy Director – Technical Lead, secretariat staff, CGPP Headquarters

External: WHO, UNICEF, CDC, Rotary, Ministry of Health, and others.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, Social Science or related technical field
• Minimum of 10 years’ working experience in the last 4 years, preferably in a management position, supervising senior staff in an international or multicultural environment.
• Relevant management and technical experience
• Experience managing donor funds
• Knowledge and experience in budget management
• Experience in polio eradication is preferred
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to use data to inform program

To Apply: Interested candidates can apply by December 4, 2024 by sending an expression of interest letter and an updated CV to: [email protected].

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.