South Sudan: South Sudan: Humanitarian Information System Manager

SUMMARY

Internews Network is an international media development organization based in Arcata, CA and Washington, DC whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect, and the means to make their voices heard. Internews has been working in South Sudan since 2006 to establish community radio stations across the country, and to train South Sudanese journalists to operate them. We also implement other activities across the sector, including actively working to meet the critical information needs of the South Sudanese communities who have been impacted by the recent conflict.

Internews has made critical and valuable contributions to the humanitarian space since conflict erupted in South Sudan in December 2013. The Humanitarian Information Service Department currently consists of our Boda Boda Talk Talk (BBTT) projects in UN House, Bor and Bentiu POCs, the Nile FM Radio Station in Malakal POC, a new community radio station in Jamjang/Yida for Sudanese refugees, active CWC advocacy, training and representation with the humanitarian community, and authoring our HIS learning collections. The Humanitarian Director is a visionary leader, who will continue to grow and drive humanitarian work in South Sudan, increase representation of Internews in the humanitarian sector, and expand focus on our Communication with Communities (CWC) work,. The HD will directly supervise the Humanitarian Project Managers of each of the Protection of Civilian sites (POCs), and will set the vision, tone and strategic direction of Internews work within the POCs and throughout the humanitarian sector in South Sudan.

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Humanitarian Director is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and plays a critical coordination role, as he/she interacts with many departments and activities of the project, as well as across the sector. The HD ensures that CWC methodologies and humanitarian considerations are incorporated into project activities as appropriate. This position reports to the Chief of Party, but closely collaborates with all department heads. The position is based in Juba, South Sudan with occasional travel throughout South Sudan, but is currently operating remotely from Kampala/Nairobi for security considerations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

General:

• Provide overall management, vision and direction of the Humanitarian Information Services (HIS) Department, including budget management, technical oversight and quality assurance.
• Supervise/Manage select staff in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Maintain a structured work-plan for all activities, which is reviewed and updated with the Chief of Party, at minimum on 6 months basis.
• Attend and actively participate in all SMT, inter-department and partner meetings as required.
• Liaise closely with all the other Internews departments to support them with CWC expertise and to coordinate activities.
• Ensure the project is in compliance with all grant and cooperative agreement rules, requirements and regulations, as well as with Internews internal policies and procedures.
• Ensure all costs charged to the project are allowable, reasonable and correctly allocated.
• Work closely with the Deputy Chief of Party on budget forecasting, projections and budget tracking.
• Approach all work and work colleagues with a spirit of collaboration, enthusiasm and professionalism.
• Liaise with the Senior Director for Humanitarian Programs in London on all matters relate to fundraising, project design, learning and humanitarian coordination.

Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning:

• Proactively prepare and assemble timely materials for all reports, including workplans, weekly and monthly activity reports, quarterly, semi-annual and final reports, in compliance with donor guidelines.
• Work with Chief of Party and MERL team to provide comprehensive draft reports, in English, including all proper M&E data, narrative reports, success stories, quotes and photos.
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of the region of responsibility, including the local media.
• Design and create learning documents, white papers and manuals about CwC in South Sudan; lessons learned from activities and projects implemented in South Sudan; AAP and any other topic relevant to the work of the HIS Department in the country.
• Work closely with the MERL department for the drafting and distribution of the weekly sites specific newsletter and the monthly HIS newsletter.
• Work with the MERL department on the design and implementation of the HIS Information Needs Assessments; the Social Network Analysis and any other research related project.

Communication with Communities and Humanitarian Coordination:

• Expand presence in regional and national level cluster representation, ensuring Internews continues to have a seat at the table for discussions and decisions around priorities in the humanitarian response.
• Attend all Cluster meetings in Juba, and in particular the Protection Cluster, the CCCM cluster and the WASH cluster.
• Continue to pioneer new program approaches, projects and activities to maintain and grow Internews as a leading, innovative partner doing critical humanitarian work.
• Lead in designing, advocating and implementing the Internews South Sudan Approach to CWC and Accountability in various forums and using multiple channels (trainings, presentations, website, papers and articles).
• Provide trainings and presentations to agencies, and utilize consultants for additional support as needed.
• Drive CWC in all programming by supporting multi-channel communications to deliver better accountability to communities affected by the conflict (including the BBTT HIS projects and other feedback mechanisms for communities and agencies to develop).
• Design, create and implement training modules, materials and tools to train humanitarian aid agencies in speaking to the media, and in particular how to share information specifically with effected communities.
• Train humanitarian agencies on CWC techniques and strategies to improve community engagement and mobilization.
• Lead coordination with the CDAC network and the OCHA CWC forums in South Sudan.
• Lead relationships with humanitarian partners (UN and NGO) and with UNMISS to strategize about the implementation of CwC in their area of operation.

Projects Management:

• Manage Humanitarian Project Managers (HPM) who deliver day-to-day management of the Humanitarian Information Service BBTT projects in Juba, Bor, Bentiu and Malakal and any other locations which may arise.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian Journalism Trainers (HJT) and HPMs to ensure that all training needs for staff of the POCs and other humanitarian projects are met.
• Lead the HJTs in building capacity of the national training staff as needed, to ensure best practices in CWC are learned by all Internews training staff.
• Actively support HPMs in all fields locations in coordinating with local partners, including UNOCHA and UNMISS.
• Oversee the recruitment and work of consultants when required to support program needs.
• Work closely with the Security Director to oversee and build preparedness and security measures for staff living and working in each of the program sites of operation.
• Work closely with the Operations Department to ensure all necessary items are procured for proper program implementation.
• Oversee program and administration, HR, contracts and finance.
• Deliver regular (e.g., weekly M&E) program reports and newsletters
• Ensure complete archives are kept of all programs, scripts and other program deliverables

Refugee Project and Coordination with UNHCR:

• Manage the Humanitarian Project Manager who delivers day-to-day management of the “Creating a Humanitarian Information System for Refugees in Ajuong Thok” project funded by BPRM in Jamjang and Yida.
• Attend the Refugee Coordination Meetings organization by UNHCR in Juba
• Liaise with UNHCR in Juba and with BPRM in Ethiopia on all matters regarding the implementation of the Jamjang project.

Fundraising:

• Lead in the growth and development of the humanitarian program by seeking funding opportunities, writing proposals, and conducting advocacy for Internews humanitarian work.
• Lead in proposal development work with CHF (Common Humanitarian Fund) and CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund).
• Liaise closely with other departments on CHF or CERF project development.

Representation:

• Represent Internews in all relevant coordination fora and through bilateral interaction with key partners, and ensue a wide representation of community voices are heard effectively in all forums, including OCHA (both national, regional and internationally) World Humanitarian Day, World Humanitarian Summit, CCCM Cluster meetings and other international events.
• Under the guidance of the Chief of Party liaise with the relevant USAID counterparts for everything related to the Humanitarian program in South Sudan, including preparing briefs and project reports; collecting data on the beneficiaries; representing Internews South Sudan in the relevant meetings; and any other task request by the CoP.
• Maintain and update a database with relevant contacts in Juba and in all field sites.
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential task.

• Relevant university degree in media, communication, international development, or humanitarian sector.
• Experience in leading projects, including budget management, reporting and M&E.
• Extensive experience in, and understanding of, the UN Cluster system, Peacekeeping Operations, humanitarian agencies, and relief and development work.
• Experience in leading and coordinating teams and staff; proven manager with ability to coordinate, supervise and motivate individual staff and teams.
• Experience in Communication with Communities (CwC), with a strong focus on the feedback loop from the communities into the humanitarian system.
• A solid background in journalism and/or communications for development.
• Experience in designing and writing proposals.
• Strong communication and diplomatic skills.
• Proven ability to develop and monitor work plans and training plans.
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations and grants administration is highly desirable.
• Must be computer literate (Excel, Word, Outlook, Internet).
• Experience living and working in Africa and in conflict environments.
• Ability to adjust to shifting political circumstances and adapt programming accordingly.
• Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the work place.
• Must be self-reliant, resourceful, good problem-solver, good humored, and flexible.
• Ability to travel within and spend extended time in the field, with limited facilities, often under harsh conditions.
• Fluency in English.

Benefits Information:

This position is being offered and hired by Internews Network. Benefits will be consistent with Internews Network's offerings and will be reviewed during the hiring process. Additional information can be found on our About Working for Internews page.

To apply, please visit our Career Center.