The Organization

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international conflict transformation NGO that aims to transform the way individuals, groups, governments and companies deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative solutions. Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium, with 55 offices in 34 countries, Search designs and implements multifaceted, culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive programs using a diverse range of tools, including media and training, to promote dialogue, increase knowledge and determine a positive shift in behaviors. Operating in Sudan since 2009, Search has developed and implemented innovative peacebuilding programs in collaboration with local Sudanese NGOs. Our work in Sudan seeks to empower women and other marginalized groups and encourage greater inclusivity in the peace processes and governance in Sudan. 

The Team

The Program Implementation team has oversight for the implementation of Search’s programs and projects in its country offices, in accordance with Search and donor policies and procedures. The Program Implementation team works on the full life-cycle of the project, from the start-up phase to the full close-out. This involves designing work plans, implementing activities, reporting, financial management, and staffing management. The Program Implementation team collaborates with other departments, including Finance, Institutional Learning, Programs, Global Affairs and Partnerships, Human Resources, and Information Technology.

The Role

Provide oversight for project implementation

Manages processes associated with project implementation.

Manages relationships related to the project implementation such as vendors, donors, local authorities and cross-team collaborators, and employees.

Deliverables:

• Workplan: improve, finalize and monitor costed-work plans and spend-out plans; support in finalizing and monitoring the logic frame and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan
• Project activities: design project activities (e.g., objectives and structure of activities); lead and/or deliver project activities; coordinate with trainers in the design and delivery of project activities
• Reporting: review and finalize project documents (e.g., presentations, and agenda); finalize donor reports; review and finalize monthly and activity reports before sharing; review General Ledger (GL) and support country finance team (CFT) in producing financial report
• Compliance: coordinates with the appropriate country management team member in ensuring project, finance, and logistics staff follow donor rules/regulations; ensure donor compliance; lead capacity-building sessions to streamline rules and regulations
• Finalize the procurement plan and coordinate with project vendors (e.g., hotel, catering, transportation, etc.)
• Financial management: ensure project financial health; lead regular Budget versus Actual (BvA) meetings; ensure the BvA is right; ensure budget revisions are done as needed
• Subaward management:
• Provide technical review of partner documents; lead communication with partner management; provide oversight to partner work plan and key deliverables; lead in partner capacity assessment/plan and partner selection

Performance management:

• Interface with staff across all departments on regular basis
• Lead in staff capacity-building and identifying learning/growth opportunities;
• Coordinate with the Country Manager (CM) or Country Director (CD) in the development of project staffing plan;
• Provide guidance for compilation of interview materials, and assessments for recruitment of open positions;
• Long-list and short-list candidates;
• Manage staff members accordingly

External engagement

• Maintain regular communication with donors (e.g., 4 corner meetings, reporting, etc.); meet with local authorities as needed, facilitate approvals; meet with partner leadership, and conduct regular meetings

Program management, quality and project design:

• Coordinate with Design, Monitoring & Evaluation (DM&E), Grants Management System (GMS), and Country Manager (CM) in the organization of reflection sessions
• Note and record lessons learned via donor reports
• Ensure reviews and reflection sessions lead to adaptive work plan
• Make sure that approved Search methodologies are utilized
• Coordinate with Global Affairs & Partnerships Program Development team, as needed
• Support in attending fundraising and networking meetings
• Support in the identification and decision of opportunities (go/no-go)
• Provide inputs to strategy development and planning related to technical area of work
• Technical review of strategy and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)
• Infuses organizational Values into all work
• Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.

Safeguarding

• Responsible to ensure the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy is implemented and socialized and, promote a culture of safeguarding

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Manages overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly. Provides guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of purview.
• Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
• Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
• Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
• Provides input for standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams and with a view from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things.
• Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome.
• Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
• Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
• Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
• Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.

• Typically BS/BA with minimum 9 years’ experience.
• At least 3 years experience managing people
• Experience with budget management
• Ability to travel extensively within Sudan

Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Please submit your CV and cover letter on or before the deadline at the below link.

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK HERE: https://jobs.lever.co/sfcg/67bb5f3a-9bf3-4d5a-9494-4d14fee21297

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities. 

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Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Please see our website www.sfcg.org for full details of our work. All Search Employees must adhere to the values: Collaboration- Audacity - Tenacity - Empathy - Results. In accordance with these values, Search enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct and related policies on Anti Workplace Harassment, Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest, and Anti-fraud. Search is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children, youth, and vulnerable adults.  Search for Common Ground does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. View our code of conduct here and our privacy policy here.