The Organization

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.

Geographic Location

The incumbent will preferably be based in Sudan. Candidates residing in nearby countries maybe considered but will have to travel frequently to Sudan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for project implementation
• Manage processes associated with project implementation
• Manage relationships related to the project implementation such as vendors, donors, local authorities and cross team collaborators, and employees
• Manage programming communication outputs
• Increase visibility of Search for Common Ground and peacebuilding, among the general public
• Produce high quality external communications and oversee strategic branding
• Support collection of field stories, proofreading and editing of communication products, presentations on project results and lead media campaigns

Contributions

     Communications:

• Build the expertise, skills and capacity of communications focal points within country teams to develop communications materials and on communications best practices and methodologies
• Provide effective communication and representation, expanded partnerships, heightened visibility for Search’s work
• Assist in the development of journalist and media contacts lists, draft mass press releases and media advisories, and follow up with press contacts
• Lead drafting, proofreading, and editing for high quality, timely and targeted communications materials (success stories, capacity statements, newsletters, media campaign, blog posts, web updates) to best showcase the organization’s results
• Oversee the production and management of communications protocols and create / maintain the information management system that enables the tracking and accessible storage of all our communication products and photos / videos

    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; finalize donor reports; review and finalize monthly and activity reports before sharing; review General Ledger (GL) and support country finance team 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

  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 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; meet with local authorities as needed, facilitate approvals; meet with partner leadership, and conduct regular meetings; coordinate talking points and speakers’ notes for public engagement; represent Search in media interviews

  Program management, quality and project design:

• Coordinate with relevant departments 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
• 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

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Manage overall strategy and vision. Provide functional and program/project management. Anticipate and plan for needs and take action accordingly. Provide guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members
• Develop and maintain 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. Respond to changing circumstances and expectations readily. Anticipate the consequences of situations and plans accordingly
• Articulate program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develop program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches
• Provide input for standards across functions and with a view from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things
• Overcome obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions
• Assess risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome. Analyze the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision
• Check the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and set 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
• Work with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable. Provide coaching and mentoring to staff
• Excellent English writing skills and demonstrated ability to communicate personal narratives to external audiences
• Ability to design and produce infographics and skills in layout design

Type and Nature of Contacts

• Routinely coordinate with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolve problem situations with tact
• Represent, as assigned, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners
• Interact with country office and regional staff

Safeguarding

• Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills that will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy

Education and Experience

• Typically BS/BA in communications, public relations or journalism with a minimum  9 years’ experience in marketing/communications and project management
• Proven budget management experience
• Experience leading teams and proven leadership and people management skills
• Highly organized with proficient data analysis skills
• Experience in strategic outreach and creative marketing
• Proficiency in oral and written communication skills in both Arabic and English, which includes the confidence to present material to a large audience.
• Previous work with development or peacebuilding sector preferred

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel internationally at least 20%

Supervisory and Budget Responsibility

• May supervise one or more staff members

Application Deadline: Monday, September 9 2024

                    TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK HERE: https://jobs.lever.co/sfcg/4c8dea4d-e074-43c0-83df-a6c440ce6219

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.