GOAL JOB DESCRIPTION

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

General Description of the Program
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 areas are key conflict areas in the last five years.   

Our current annual programme budget is Eur 7 million plus with our main donors including: USAID/OFDA, DFID, UNDP, ECHO & Irish Aid (MAPS).
 
There are around 25 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 (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 GOAL also works in emergency response in our areas of operations. 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 to getting things done.

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.

Description of Abyei
As one of the three transitional states designated under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Abyei is undergoing a period of intense social and political change and uncertainty.  Following decades of war, tens of thousands of formerly displaced people are returning to their family homeland every year, but there is as yet no effective government in place. GOAL was the first INGO to start work in Abyei, where we have been operating a primary health care programme since 2003. This had expanded into an integrated operation with community health, women’s empowerment, Livelihoods and WASH programmes aimed at building the resilience and capacity in a  post-conflict recovery setting.

On 14 May 2008, fighting broke out in Abyei between SAF and SPLA. This fighting was intense and continuous for 5-6 days. The town was significantly damaged with large sections completely destroyed. All international agencies, including GOAL staff were forced to relocate in Agok approximately 30km from Abyei.  At time of writing Agok remains the hub of GOAL operations though it is estimated that a planned return to Abyei will take place in December 2008. 

In addition it is anticipated that at this time in the region of 20,000 - 30,000 IDPs will move back to Abyei Town and surrounding areas.  Depending on where IDPs go and pending security review, GOAL will target services to best assist the affected population, though health and WASH programming will remain high priority. 
Challenges on the ground include a low capacity of locally recruited national staff and a lack of middle managers, many of whom were recruited from North Sudan and are no longer accepted by the Abyei administration.

General Description of the role
The Area Coordinator is responsible for co-ordinating Abyei programmes and operations including finance and security.  Other members of the expat team to support the AC will include, health manager, health promotion manager, WASH manager, logistics manager and HR/ Administration manager.

Key Duties:

• Overall responsibility for the security of all GOAL personnel and assets.
• Ambassadorial role for GOAL in Abyei
• Line management responsibility for programme managers across the Abyei programmes
• Central to budget planning and tracking spend
• Oversee the achievement of programme targets, in collaboration with the expatriate Health Manager and local programme managers and staff
• Oversee the support functions of HR, logistics and finance, in collaboration with an expatriate Logistics Manager and expat Operations managers and staff
• Provide an environment where capacity building of Sudanese staff, including mentoring, training and regular formal appraisal is prioritised
• Regular reporting to GOAL Assistant Country Director, Programmes in Khartoum
• Preparation of reports to GOAL and Donors
• Identify new project opportunities and develop new programmes for these in partnership with the state government, local NGOs and beneficiary communities.
• Work in close coordination with Ministries and other local partners
• Work at all times in a manner that promotes teamwork

This position is particularly suited to a manager with a programme / development background who can lead a large and diverse team including technical specialists in community development, nutrition and primary health care and who is capable of responding to post-war opportunities for recovery and development by developing new programmes in Abyei.

Requirements: (educational, language, etc.)

• At least two years previous overseas experience with an international Agency in humanitarian / development programming in a senior management position
• Degree in a humanitarian, development or other related subject
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the conceptualisation and development of programme proposals and donor reports
• Experience in liaising with government officials, donors and other agencies
• Proven ability to mange a diverse programme team
• Financial management skills
• Ability to self-start and work in remote locations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead a multicultural team in a conservative Muslim society.

Other desirable criteria

• Working experience of health, nutrition, WASH or livelihoods programmes.
• Experience in post emergency and post recovery programmes
• Masters in development, humanitarian assistance or conflict studies