South Sudan: Regional Program Manager- Upper Nile

AECOM International Development (AISS) implements the Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) program for the USAID Office of Transition and Conflict Mitigation (OTCM). The VISTAS program designs and implements activities with local partners through an in-kind grant mechanism to prevent the further spread of communal violence and rising tensions in critical areas where conflict may have national implications. In support of these goals, the program will seek to increase space and tools to manage conflict and tensions; to build cross-line interdependency to promote peaceful coexistence; to promote a more informed community; and to engage communities in trauma awareness that lay the foundation for individual and community healing and reconciliation.
VISTAS manages a comprehensive in-kind and cash grants program, providing commodities and services to grantees for the implementation of mutually agreed upon activities. AISS is currently recruiting for a Regional Program Manager (RPM) for Upper Nile State.
Background:
The RPM manages the VISTAS’ regional offices, including all activity design, implementation, office and team management, security, logistics and procurement that is done in the field. They also play a strong role in strategic development, analysis and representation to local actors.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Oversee all programmatic and operational aspects of the regional field office which include:

• Oversee / manage all operations in the field offices, including assets, personnel (finance and logistics), and fleet
• Oversee implementation of in-kind grants and sub-contracts, which includes all relevant documentation; program implementation; all aspects of each grant throughout the "activity cycle" from inception of an idea to close-out of a grant activity – while ensuring quality, adherence of an approved grant budget and to AISS and USAID/OTCM rules and regulations
• Functionally supervise the field team which may include a Program Specialist, Regional Conflict Advisor, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist, Construction Supervisor, Field Admin/Finance Officer, Logistician, Grant Specialists, and Drivers
• The Construction Supervisor technically is managed by the Senior Engineer, who is based in Juba.
• The RPM and Construction Supervisor coordinate closely with Senior Engineer on all infrastructure activities implemented in their respective region
• The Juba-based M&E team technically supports the field-based M&E Specialist. The RPM and M&E Specialist collaborate with the M&E department to develop, monitor, evaluate and recommend performance measures for regional and individual activities, including contractors and grantees, as well as to prioritize the region’s activity-level M&E efforts;

• The Director of Research, Reporting and Evaluation (DRRE) technically support the Regional Conflict Advisors, the RPM and Regional Conflict Advisor work hand in hand with the DRRE to:

• Develop and update a contextualized strategy for conflict mitigation and transition;

• Provide high quality reporting on the socio-political situation in the region as well as on program activities;

• Maintain proactive communications with AISS Juba senior management on all aspects of program and field office operations;

• Develop work plans and pipelines; prepare programmatic and operational financial projections for the field offices in close collaboration with the field and Juba staff;

• Conduct weekly team meetings to review and discuss status of grant development and implementation, progress evaluated and next steps agreed in order to support the pipeline of grants;

• Ensure that procurement, finance, logistics, and programmatic aspects of each activity is being implemented on-time and in accordance with the specifications, USAID rules and regulations of the approved activity;

• In coordination with the Program Analyst and Information Team prepare the weekly report including grant by grant activity notes;

• Ensure that all grant activities are entered in the VISTAS grants database;

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with OTCM, local grantees, state and local government authorities, local contractors, international NGOs, donors, and other key stakeholders; and,

• Perform other duties and activities as required for the successful management of the regional office and effective implementation of regional program strategy.

Minimum Requirements:

The RPM must be an individual with sound judgment, excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills and possess a well-developed political acumen. The RPM should also have the ability to mentor and build the capacity of local staff.
Since work may require continued changes in program direction and implementation, including frequent coordination, the individual will be someone who is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change. The individual should also possess the flexibility and willingness to work and travel in locations with basic work and living arrangements. Given the volatility of the context, the incumbent should display a responsible engagement with security and have a strong understanding of security and programmatic risk management in field operations.
The ideal candidate should be a highly motivated self-starter, capable of learning on the job while balancing multiple complex tasks with minimal supervision and support (while in the field).
In addition, the individual should meet the following minimum qualifications:

• 5 years or more of work experience in international development
• Experience working in conflict and immediate post conflict situations; preference for experience in Sudan, South Sudan or sub-Saharan Africa
• Previous management of a culturally diverse team
• Previous experience managing sub-grant programs, as well as familiarity of USAID rules and regulations preferred
• Experience managing operations or logistics in field locations
• Degree in international development or other relevant area
• Oral and written fluency in English mandatory

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