COOPI is looking for a Head of Mission in Sudan

COOPI responds to the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Sudan since 2004, including refugees, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), Returnees and vulnerable communities through an integrated WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods and Shelter approach. Key target groups include women and children, especially female- and child-headed households and unaccompanied minors, as well as the elderly and people living with disabilities. As part of the programmatic approach, COOPI mainstreams Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Action, Gender and Protection, and focuses both on life-saving interventions as well as building long-term resilience through community-based programming. COOPI works in Red Sea, Gedaref, North Darfur, Northern State. COOPI is currently implementing projects funded by USAID, AICS, and UN agencies.

Description of the role

The Head of Mission (HoM) provides leadership and strategic direction of COOPI’s operations in Sudan in collaboration with the Regional Coordinator, and is responsible for the implementation and development of the country programme in line with COOPI’s organisational and country strategy, policies and procedures. The HoM is also responsible for the management and capacity building of the staff, securing donor funding and to represent the organisation to the government, donors, and other appropriate bodies – including clusters, UN agencies and the media.

Main responsibilities

Organization and management

• Strategy and planning: verify and propose to the Regional Coordinator the intervention priorities to consolidate the organization’s opportunity to be more involved in the country. Contribute to the definition of the Country Strategy
• Programme extension: coordinate the elaboration, writing and documents’ preparation for presenting new projects
• Visibility: cooperate with the Communication and Fund-Raising office for all communication, awareness and fundraising activities implemented in and for the country
• Procedures: coordinate and monitor the projects, guaranteeing the correct implementation in conformity with the contractual obligations and donors’ procedures, and in line with COOPI’s procedures and management standards

Administration and finance

• Economic and financial management: is responsible for the country’s economic result. Supervise the financial management in collaboration with the Country Administrator and ensure – through the administrative function – that all financial reporting deadlines and donor/COOPI’s procedures are respected. Participate to the projects/coordination budget preparation. Has the signature for all COOPI’s bank accounts in the country

Logistics

• Country office management: is responsible for all different aspects related to the country office management, such as economic and financial situation, local regulations, office organization charts, logistics, local and expatriate personnel management, in conformity with the organization’s guidelines. Guarantee the respect of the country’s legislation and administrative regulation

Safety and Security

• Staff security: is responsible for the expatriate staff security, for the correct implementation and respect of the general security rules

Human resources

• Staff management: is responsible for the local staff management. Participate and support the Regional Coordinator and the Human Resources office in the selection of the expatriate staff. Coordinate and monitor the country’s expatriate staff management

Reporting

• Is responsible to supervise the preparation of projects reports and all the monitoring documents requested
• Ensure the transmission of all official and administrative project documents to the central headquarters

Institutional relations

• Manage relations with the main institutional donors for the ongoing projects. Represent COOPI in the country/area by engaging in relations with institutions, NGOs, local and international organizations and partners to guarantee the quality implementation of the projects. Is responsible of the organization’s reputation in country

Requirements

Essentials

• University degree in relevant subjects
• A minimum of five years of relevant working experience is required
• At least three years of demonstrated successful experience in international relief and development in a similar position is required
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication, negotiation skills, multi-tasking and organizational skills
• Experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities, IOs and NGOs
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure
• Proven capacity in managing a team is essential
• Fluency in English language
• Computer literate

Plus

• Experience in logistics, procurement and security matters is a strong advantage
• Previous work experience in East Africa is a plus
• Experience in working in conflict-prone environments a plus

We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled, thanks for understanding.

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale è un’organizzazione umanitaria italiana laica e indipendente che lotta contro ogni forma di povertà per migliorare il mondo. Fondata nel 1965, oggi COOPI è presente in 33 paesi tra Africa, America Latina e Caraibi e Medio Oriente, con progetti sia di emergenza che di sviluppo portati avanti da staff espatriato, di media oltre 270 persone all’anno, e staff nazionale. I principali finanziatori istituzionali sono l’Unione Europea – ECHO e INTPA – USAID, le agenzie dell’ONU, il Governo italiano, gli Enti locali e altri Governi Europei.