Sudan – Area Coordinator

COOPI is looking for an Area Coordinator in Sudan

COOPI has been responding to the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Sudan since 2004, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and vulnerable communities through aid interventions integrating WASH, Shelter, Food security and Livelihoods. As part of the programmatic approach, COOPI maistreams Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Action, Gender and Protection, focusing on both lifesaving emergency interventions and building long-term resilience through community-based projects. Main target groups include women and children, especially female-headed households and children and unaccompanied minors, as well as the elderly and people with disabilities. The functional structure of the COOPI Mission in Sudan is organized through Project Management Units (PMU), offices located in the areas where COOPI operates. Projects are implemented, monitored and administered directly by the PMU under the constant supervision of the Country Coordination Office. COOPI Sudan currently has 3 PMUs operating in the states of Khartoum, The Area and Gedare.

Description of the role

The Area Coordinator is responsible for the overall management of the PMU and provide guidance and technical support to projects teams during the interventions in the Area. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme and with delegation from the Head of Mission, the Area Coordinator will be requested to represent COOPI on the humanitarian coordination mechanism at State level liasing with government agencies of the State, local partners, beneficiaries and other (I)NGOs in regular and quality communications to maintain good relations. The post holder will be expected to clearly understand and ensure fair, accountable, and transparent management of the implanted projects, finances, and human resources, and to promote an environment of growth for staff and the organization. The Area Coordinator will also be responsible for compliance with standard operating procedures for safety, security, and general operations. In addition, the Area Coordinator can be requested to be responsible for the direct implementation of assigned projects.

Main responsibilities

Programme Management

• Overall responsibility for the design, implementation and monitoring of agreed projects and activities;
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and documentation of all activities and processes. Ensure the analysis of collected data to inform changes in activities and improve programme quality;
• Ensure the development and implementation of all activities in line with Common Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and COOPI programme policies;
• Proactively seeking funding opportunities to increase and/or expand activities working closely with the Country Director and Program Manager. This includes identifying and conducting evaluations and drafting concepts and proposals;
• Oversee The Area programming with field visits and ensure quality of programme delivery;
• Strategically engage with all technical sectors as needed and provide strategic input and oversight;
• Oversee and provide strategic support to program teams.

Coordination of field operations

• Participate directly in work of those supervised to provide training and hands-on support;
• Provide support to project managers to solve programs’ implementation problems related to logistics, procurement and security;
• Ensure the compliance with COOPI procedures;
• Ensure that the procurement, logistic and administration departments are efficiently managed;
• Prepare internal and donors reports and other periodic reports as required.

Staff management

• Serve as the human resources point of contact for program and support staff, including expatriates based in North Darfur, ensuring, in coordination with the administrator, proper implementation of COOPI’s personnel policy;
• Supervise, monitor and evaluate staff in performance of their duties;
• Assess staff skills needs and organize relevant staff training and refresher sessions.

Security

• Manage the security implementation plan in program areas in all aspects;
• Ensure proper operation of safety equipment;
• Coordinate the regular collection of information from response areas. Prepare safety reports and inform the National Director on safety issues in a timely manner;
• Participate in ad hoc security coordination meetings;
• Consult aid agencies and other stakeholders on the ongoing security situation and their security procedures. Ensure that COOPI Sudan is an active part of the ongoing security network;
• In coordination with the Head of Mission, regularly review and update COOPI Sudan – The Area’s internal security procedures.

Liaison and networking

• Coordinate liaison activities with the Government of Sudan organs in the Area;
• In coordination with the Country Director, represent the organization in coordination fora, with donors and with international and local agencies;
• Participate regularly to coordination meetings in The Area regarding implementation, operational and security issues. Ensure that feedback of information is channeled internally.

Requirements

Essentials

• University degree in social sciences, business or technical sciences;
• A minimum of five years of relevant working experience is required;
• At least three years of demonstrated successful experience in international relief and development in a similar position is required;
• Valuable management experience of project funded by UN Agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA, WFP) and AICS;
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication, negotiation skills, multi-tasking and organizational skills;
• Proven capacity to work in a team is essential;
• Experience in managing staff;
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure;
• Experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities, IOs and NGOs;
• Fluency in English language;
• Computer literate.

Plus

• Experience in logistics, procurement and security matters is a strong advantage;
• Previous work experience in Sudan is a plus;
• Experience in working in conflict-prone environments a plus;
• Arabic knowledge and/or Italian language is a plus.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled, thanks for understanding.

Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. For more than 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.