South Sudan: Project Support Officer

Role & Responsibilities

Play an important role in overseeing the running of a Medair base. On a day-to-day basis the Project Support Officer is involved in a wide variety of activities involving coordination, logistics, hospitality, security, human resources, finance and staff supervision. This provides valuable support to the programme staff, enabling them to focus on their core activities.

Project Overview

Nutrition and WASH Project in Leer County, supporting nutrition clinics in 7 locations.

Medair

Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired and motivated by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter and infrastructure. Internationally recruited field and headquarters staff lead the organisation, supported by nationally recruited staff to implement programmes locally.

Workplace

Field based position in Leer, South Sudan. Take a look at Medair’s work inSouth Sudan**.**

Starting Date

As soon as possible

Initial Contract Details

Full time, minimum 6 months contract

Key Activity Areas

Base Management

· Oversee the day-to-day base support functions including, but not limited to:

· Managing the daily functionality of the base, ensuring utilities, food and other supplies are available, that security routines are monitored and maintained and that all other requirements are in place.

· Coordinating the routine maintenance of base infrastructure and equipment, repairing items as quickly as possible using the most cost-effective solution.

· Liaising with external contacts, such as landlords, utility companies, local tradesmen and contractors, service providers, etc, ensuring services are delivered on time, on budget and to an acceptable standard.

· Planning daily staff movements taking into account staff and fleet availability and programme requirements, ensuring the most efficient use of Medair resources.

· Welcoming and briefing new Medair staff and visitors (who may also be Medair staff) to the base, planning for their arrival by preparing food and accommodation, arranging transportation if required and ensuring they have all the information needed for their stay (e.g. base layout, security, local information, domestic arrangements, etc.).

· Work with the relevant field managers.

· Monitor base expenditure, ensuring the correct procedures are followed.

· Coordinate with relevant authorities (e.g. government ministries, local authorities, etc.) and other NGOs, as applicable, on matters relevant to Medair operations in the area.

· Manage cash and all related paperwork according to Medair finance procedures.

Administration

· Draw up, manage and periodically review contracts between Medair and external suppliers, ensuring they remain valid and relevant and that the terms and conditions are followed.

· Submit accurate and timely internal reports as required by field management and contribute on request to external reports.

· Ensure a clear and transparent paper trail is in place for all transactions, that records are kept in an orderly and timely fashion and that the filing (archive) system is in line with Medair and donor requirements.

Communication

· Develop and maintain a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure with colleagues to ensure they are kept informed of base-related activities and requirements.

· Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, local authorities, other NGOs and any other stakeholders, representing Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.

Staff Management

· Manage and oversee the programme base staff (e.g. cooks, cleaners, logisticians, guards, drivers, etc.) including recruitment, day-to-day management, development and training, appraisal, etc.

· On occasions work with casual labour (including hiring, co-ordinating workload and payment) to achieve specific, time-bound tasks.

Quality Management

· Promote and use the Medair e-library and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.

Field - Team Spiritual Life

· Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.

· Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.

· Live, work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings.

· Instigate and contribute to prayer times within internationally recruited staff and HQ teams.

· Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international programmes and HQ prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

Qualifications

· University degree in relevant subject or equivalent professional / technical qualification.

Languages

· Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience / Competencies

· Relevant professional experience in an administrative position.

· Experience working in a cross-cultural setting, preferably in the NGO sector desirable.

· Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Problem solving ability; strong administrative skills; good numerical and report writing skills.

· Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.

· Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips.

· Enthusiastic with a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Profiles sought for Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) roles in the field

Relief experience

· Professionals with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience (Experienced Relief Workers).

· Professionals with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience (New Relief Workers).

Professional

· Experienced professionals in a relevant Medair sector of expertise.

· Overseas intercultural experience.

Values

· Fully committed to the Medair values; to reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, and external contacts.

Personal qualities

· Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions.

· Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit.

Availability

· Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.

Final selection.

· All potential candidates for field positions must successfully complete the Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC). Information, dates and related costs can be found via this link.

Benefits Package provided to all Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS)

· Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss Headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing.

· Security training for those going to insecure environments.

· Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country.

· Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service).

· Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food).

· Annual leave.

· Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post-assignment coverage, including debriefing.

· Disability insurance.

Specific benefits for Experienced Relief Workers (IRS)

(Applicants with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience)

· A salary based upon the grade of the position and experience of the position-holder, starting from USD 1,700 per month.

· Contribution matching programme for retirement savings.

· Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts.

· Highly subsidised contribution to Medair ROC travel and accommodation costs.

Specific benefits for New Relief Workers (IRS)

(Applicants with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience)

· USD 300 per month.

· As soon as 12 months relief work or its equivalent has been completed, a salary based upon the grade of the position, starting from USD 1,700 per month, and other experienced relief worker benefits.

Working Conditions

· This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.

Application Process

Before you apply, please ensure you are fully aware of the:

a) Medair organisational values.

b) Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Then to apply, go to http://relief.medair.org/en/jobs/positions/project-support-officer-sds-leer then:

c) apply for this vacancy (or another position that matches your profile), or

d) apply for a Medair ROC (where we can try and match your competencies to our vacancy needs).

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Medair does not set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled.

Follow Us

You can follow us on Facebook , Twitter , or LinkedIn .