GOAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Assistant Country Director Operations

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

General Description of the Programme:

Since 1985 as one of the first NGO’s in Sudan GOAL, has had a long and successful history of operations in North Sudan.  Currently there are well established programmes across four locations in the region Darfur, Abyei (the Transitional Areas), Kassala and Khartoum.  All field sites have been key conflict areas in the last five years. Our current annual programme budget is Eur 6 million plus with our main donors including: USAID/OFDA, DFID, UNDP, ECHO & Irish Aid (MAPS).

There are around 20 international and 500 national GOALies who work together with good humour and dedication to manage our programmes in this challenging but rewarding climate.  Some of the team have been with GOAL for over 10 years and continual staff development is a key function of all positions within GOAL

GOAL is also operational in South Sudan, covered by a separate coordination office based in Juba, as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in January 2005. Cooperation and collaboration across both country programmes is evolving in response to ongoing political and operational challenges.

The current programme focus’s on four main sectors:  an innovative adult education programme (GOAL N Sudan implements an approach called REFLECT for women’s literacy and empowerment which is life-changing), water, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH), sustainable livelihoods and primary health care our largest sector.  All interventions are carried out with local partners as appropriate and in the health sector GOAL has well established relations with MoH. 

As a “hands on” organisation, our mandate will not preclude GOAL from responding to emergencies within our areas of operation, or from responding to urgent humanitarian need outside of these areas in the absence of other humanitarian actors.

GOAL N. Sudan has updated its N. Sudan Country Strategic Plan for 2007 – 2011.  It addresses the longer term development approaches with our humanitarian and sector programming across Sudan. GOAL N. Sudan is strengthening it’s ability to reach its core beneficiaries by moving towards evidence based programmes and results driven activities through building community ownership processes and encouraging more capacity building both within GOAL staff and within the communities in which we work.  GOAL’s approach toward projects is getting things done: finding practical and innovative ways to help meet our beneficiaries’ needs.

GOAL is successfully operating an integrated sectoral and programme approach across communities.  Full community engagement in addressing their development needs is key to long-term successful programming.  GOAL is looking for collaborative, “can do” people who will add value to our forward programming and operational strategy.

General Description of the Role:

With strong delegation and coordination skills, the Logistical Coordinator is a member of the senior management team and responsible for ensuring GOAL policies are fully respected in both Khartoum and four field offices. This will require strong organizational skills in order to meet these objectives in an unpredictable environment where security and/ or politics are complex and frequently changing.

The Logistics Coordinator should have an enquiring mind with respect to how policies are understood and implemented on the ground to improve country wide coherence, and ultimately, accountability.

Primary responsibilities:

The primary responsibility for the Logistics Coordinator is to implement standard GOAL Logistics Policy across all GOAL’s operations in support of programme objectives.  The individual aspects of the role encompass the following:

1. Procurement and Donor Accountability;
2. Transporting Supplies,  including Customs Clearance;
3. Warehousing and Stock Management, including Donations-in-Kind;
4. Asset Management;
5. Insurance Requirements;
6. Fleet Management;
7. Communications Systems;
8. Compound Management;
9. Capacity Building and Personnel Management;
10. Policy development in any area of logistics specific to N Sudan operations;
11. Planning and preparing all logistics aspects of emergency preparedness;
12. Liaison with country authorities;
13. Operational Management and Planning;
14. Reporting.

A detailed description of the individual aspects of the roles in these areas is available on request.

Responsibilities specific to the North Sudan Logistics Coordinator role:

• Regular visits to each of GOAL’s 4 field sites assessing systems and training as required on any aspect of logistics requirements;
• Support field Area Coordinators in the management of the field logistics through responding to issues that arise and proactively assessing field logistics manager through reporting and general logistical performance;
• Maintain, implement and develop the procedures documentation and adherence by all North Sudan logistics and programme staff;
• Advise Head Office Galway of support needs in terms of technical staff visits for overall logistics (ie Logistics Technical Advisor) or area specific (ie. fleet advisor, driver training) assessment and development;
• Implementation of the improved procurement flowchart and authorization levels, provide training and monitor follow up in the field sites;
• Facilitating and providing training to ensure programme staff make use of the best logistics resources and practice in the implementation of programme activities;
• Gather, analyze and disseminate relevant logistics information from external sources e.g. UNJLC;
• Participate and input into country budget planning at the following stages: concept note and budget proposal development, grant opening meetings and PMP development.

Requirements:
Essential:

• At least 2 years experience as a head logistician (Logistics Coordinator) with an international NGO in a field environment;
• At least 5 years experience as a logistician with an international NGO in a field environment;
• Proven management ability to lead, motivate and develop staff;
• Appropriate skills and experience in the capacity building and training of national staff and partners essential;
• Ability to lead a multicultural team in a conservative Muslim society;
• Ability to work under pressure to pursue multiple tasks simultaneously to successful conclusions;
• Understanding and acceptance of the varying standards required and the problems inherent within the context of work in a developing country;
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft packages, including Excel, Word, and Outlook  (particular emphasis on Excel)
• Excellent report writing skills;
• Positive attitude with good sense of humour;
• Committed team player.

Desirable:

• Qualification in Logistics/Supply Chain Management;
• Understanding of budget development and monitoring;
• Experience in logistics for the support of humanitarian, recovery as well as development programmes;
• Experience in development and implementation of policies and procedures.