A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.

A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.

An organization that refuses to settle for anything less than delivering human-worthy services.

Primary purpose of the position

The Area Manager – South Darfur leads the Alight South Darfur team and is responsible for overall program performance and implementation in South Darfur. This is a key senior management position in the country program, and s/he is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).

The Area Manager leads Alight’s largest state program serving displaced and host communities in more than 50 percent of South Darfur’s localities. The South Darfur program includes a budget of more than US$ 12 million and more than 500 staff. The Area Manger will lead all staff in successful program implantation, and will direct state-level technical teams (sectors) in the development of sector plans/proposals; internally and externally coordinating sector activities; establishing and maintaining public relations with state authorities, UN agencies, other NGOs and implementing partners; coordinating management support, including resource allocations and utilization among sectors and administration and accounting for them; monitoring program implementation and reviewing plans as appropriate, managing all program staff, including performance management and staff development; coordinating the production of sector and program reports (ALIGHT and donors) and reviewing/summarizing them for the Head of Program Implementation and Partnerships to ensure program staff and assets are safe at all times.

MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY – PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management & Development–25%

· With support of the Head of Program Implementation and Partnerships (HoP), the Senior Area Manager – Darfur, and the Deputy Country Director (DCD), articulate and share with staff a clear vision for the program in South Darfur. Support the deep understanding of the Alight Sudan program through sharing strategic information on ALIGHT global and country developments.

· Lead, supervise, and monitor staff activities and program implementation to ensure alignment with ALIGHT’s program objectives and principled humanitarian action and in compliance with donor requirements, Government of Sudan regulations, and Technical Agreements with line ministries and federal and state Humanitarian Aid Commissions.

· In collaboration with the Senior Area Manager and Hope, promote overall program coherence, by ensuring that all projects meet program sector design standards and have well-defined performance indicators and output monitoring mechanisms.

· Lead monthly cross-functional meetings to review financial and program performance on grants, including burn rates and budget-vs.-actual (BVAs) to ensure implementation is on track and recommend corrective action in areas of concern. Direct budget managers on development of action plans and share minutes of meeting outcomes with DCD and Head of Finance.

· Analyze program implementation gaps and expedite resolution of critical program technical deficiencies, with support of the HoP and program sector coordinators.

· Review the M&E Field Monitoring Reports with program staff; support staff in designing solutions and report corrective action taken to the Country MEAL Coordinator, ensuring closure of open issues within two months.

· Provide oversight of ALIGHT local partner NGO sub-grant recipients; resolve issues and coordinate reporting with the Roving Partnership Manager and Country Senior Finance Coordinator.

· Coordinate, with the technical teams, the preparation of donor and internal reports in a timely manner, including production of Human Interest/Program Success Stories, as required.

· Collaborate with the HoP in the planning, coordination, and facilitation of grant-launch meetings.

· Ensure branding and visibility at project sites are in line with donor guidelines and Alight standards.

· Lead early detection of emergency response and rapidly organize program and operational teams; with HoP support, expedite preparation of program intervention. Lead staff in implementation of the emergency response and provide frequent situational reports to HoP.

· Work closely with the Senior Grants Manager (SGM) and Business Development Coordinator (BDC) to design and produce presentation, promotional, and communications material, on the profile of the program and operations in the State, for dissemination to internal and external audiences.

· Advise HoP on current and potential needs of refugee and IDP populations in South Darfur in appropriate sectors (i.e., Health, WASH, Shelter, Food Security, etc.); liaise with Senior Area Manager on impact and opportunity for program collaboration with East Darfur.

· Support, DCD and Head of Finance throughout proposal development process, by leading, supervising, and motivating South Darfur teams to mobilize intelligence gathering and data collection; lead team in drafting of proposal narratives and draft budgets, and providing timely responses to inquiries, as needed.

Representation 20%

· Lead the representation of Alight in South Darfur with state and local government officials, community leaders, UN and donor agencies, and partners, informing CD, DCD, and HoP on any emerging trends, concerns, or opportunities.

· In coordination with Alight state program sector heads, strengthen Alight’s technical relationships with relevant state line ministries and UN program sector leads (Health, Nutrition, WASH, etc.,) through regular meetings, consultations, and program updates

· In partnership with CD and DCD, confer with state-level donor representatives regarding potential funding shortfalls, project implementation delays, no-cost extensions, and/or new program opportunities in line with community needs, government priorities, and donor interest.

· Host and/or attend UN/donor/GoS high-level delegation/representatives/visitors’ meetings, as required.

· Serve on Joint Inter-Agency needs assessment teams to assess new program opportunities, identify needs, and/or for routine field program monitoring via joint missions, as directed by the HoP.

Personnel Management —20%

· Foster a work atmosphere that leads with accountability and results and values staff recognition and well-being, innovation, continuous learning, and modeling of Alight values, standards, and operating principles.

· Directly supervise program staff in the field, providing regular performance management feedback and implements annual performance review system to ensure excellence and professional development for team.

· Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to direct reports and other staff and ensure completion of performance management system and staff evaluations annually.

· In consultation with the HR Manager and HoP, support professional development and borderless learning opportunities for all staff to strengthen program delivery and employee satisfaction.

· Lead technical coordinators in development of program structure, identification of HR needs, and preparation of individual job descriptions to ensure program is fit for purpose.

· Build technical and management capacity of staff in a proactive, thoughtful, caring, and strategic manner, through ongoing coaching, on-the-job assignments, and/or informal and formal learning opportunities.

· Support the HR Officer in championing Alight Changemakers’ innovative idea generation and collection process to co-create solutions with communities served.

Operations Management: 20%

· Accountable for full compliance through leading and directing Finance, HR, and Admin/Logistics functions, ensuring proper internal controls are in place and adherence to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and that Alight policies and procedures, donor regulations, local labor and fiduciary laws are upheld.

· Ensure proper, regular updates and briefings for the CD on current program, management, and security situation, weekly.

· Monitor and report on security issues to the CD, HoP, and DCD and seek counsel, advice, and action from HoP.

· In conjunction with the safety focal staff, ensure that Alight and UN Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are updated and implemented; accountable for submitting Security Incident Reports to the CD and Country Operations Manager (COM) within 24hrs of an incident.

· Proactively lead teams in the preparation of Technical Agreements (TAs) to enable timely state and federal level approvals and to minimize disruption of program implementation and staff (international) field travel.

· Provide input for preparation of documentation for annual renewal of Alight Sudan INGO status registration.

· Lead preparation and ensure submission of regular updates and monthly reports on implementation progresses to HAC, CoR and others government authorities

· Lead preparation and ensure submission of monthly cash projections and program cost share to the Khartoum Finance department, to enable adequate time for bank/cash transfers.

· Accountable for timely reporting to COM on a) weekly Security Report; b) monthly Procurement/Supply Chain Management; and c) Staff Movement reports for Alight global and country office dashboard.

· Monitor schedule for procurement of goods and services for programs and operations. Oversee bidding process to ensure transparency, objectivity, and adherence to Alight policies and procedures.

· Accountable for review of inventory of physical assets, including IT equipment, office supplies and drugs stocks, to ensure the records are updated and accurate, and timely replenishment and/or assets disposal occurs on a quarterly basis.

· Prepare the Monthly Management Report for submission to the HoP.

· Monitor and ensure timesheets are prepared with accurate donor codes and submitted to HR/Finance in time for processing of monthly payroll.

· Support the HR Officer in monthly tracking of staff leave balances to enable proper scheduling of staff leave and avoid accrual of excess leave days.

Strategic Planning & Execution – 15%

· As a SMT member, actively participate in team development sessions, contribute to setting common goals, objectives, and operating standards. Demonstrate commitment to and accountability for effective team performance.

· Collaborate in the development of the multi-year Country Strategy, Annual Country Management & Operations Plan. Provide input to Quarterly reports on progress, including on Risk Mitigation.

· Attend SLT meetings, remotely and in person; contribute to strategic decision making

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

· Minimum (7) experience as an INGO area manager in complex emergency, conflict, or post-conflict settings.

· University degree in the Social Sciences, International Policy or Administration or related field; Master’s degree preferable.

· Proven ability to manage more than 300 staff and budgets more than US$10 million at the area manager level.

· Experience in managing a multi-sector program; proposal/grant writing, finance, budget planning and management, monitoring and evaluation; conducting needs assessments.

· Demonstrated ability to manage and lead through influence, vertically and horizontally across functional and geographic boundaries.

· Strong representation, interpersonal and negotiation skills, in managing relations with donor, community representatives, and government authorities.

· Experience in managing and working with a multicultural staff through a participatory approach and in motivating and counseling staff working in a complex emergency environment.

· Direct experience implementing and implementing on USAID and UN system grants.

· Experience of working in fragile states/acute emergences similar to Sudan context, e.g Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya, or Afghanistan.

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KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES

• Highly motivated self-starter who leads by example, takes initiative, and thrives in an environment where independence and strong leadership motivates staff and produces results.
• Leader who serves with humility and care for staff and the people Alight serves, embracing the leadership role as one that supports staff in times of both success and challenge.
• Comfortable serving in a leadership role that emulates Alight’s values and approaches work by choosing optimism and doing the doable to support staff in delivering high-quality services to the people served.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly analyze complex situations and take decisions to ensure timely, effective, and compliant solutions support successful service delivery and program implementation.
• Most comfortable and successful working in fast-paced, fluid work environment, effectively managing multiple priorities with grace and humor.
• An exemplary team leader/player who understands the role of a leader is to support the team and motivate staff through working side-by-side to find solutions, celebrate successes, recognize achievements, and takes corrective action with humility and to support program success.
• Calm and poised under pressure, with an ability to lead team through crisis situations with clear direction, thoughtful solutions, and a caring nature to reassure staff, partners, donors, and beneficiaries.
• Willingness to work and live in South Darfur with limited access to services, including electricity and water breaks, unstable internet and mobile services, and limited markets.
• Intellectually curious and culturally sensitive, with an ability to listen and learn about the context before acting and honor and respect the knowledge, insight, and perspectives of Sudanese staff.

You strive for…

· Humility. You learn from others and lead with an open heart and open mind, absent of ego and judgement.

· Inclusivity. Our diversity is our strength. You value diversity of opinion and thought. You invite all voices to the table regardless of gender, ethnicity/tribe, sexual orientation, or physical/mental ability.

· Empathy. You know how to really hear other people and understand their meaning.

· Joy. Seriously! We believe that play and joy are core to co-creating value with customers.

· Flexibility. We’re constantly designing and iterating. You’ll be working in ambiguity always – embrace it and see the possibility that it allows. The ability to roll with it will make that easier.

· Creativity. You have the ability to apply sound judgment and innovative ideas to meet challenges presented.

Benefits

Health, dental, and MedEvac Insurance – We strive to offer the best-in-class healthcare plans to our staff each year. We cover 100% of the cost for your health premium and 75% of the cost for coverage for your spouse/dependents.

Retirement – We contribute 6% of your salary regardless of your contribution amount, after one year of service.

Generous Leave Time – Between general leave, home leave, and R&R, you have ample opportunity to take time off when you need it.

Borderless Team of 2,500 staff worldwide that sees possibility, celebrates moments of abundance, shares new ideas, and strives to do a better thing every day.

Learning & Development – Access thousands of free online learning courses to take at your own pace and tailor to your professional goals.