Jobs at American Refugee Committee (ARC) in Uganda - Country Director

Job Title: Country Director
Senior/Deputy Program Management | Kampala
Job Description POSITION TITLE: Country Director
DATE: April 2013
COUNTRY PROGRAM: Uganda
RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Program Manager
STATUS ): Full Time
SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: Program employees and local staff
COUNTRY PROGRAM MISSION:  The American Refugee Committee (ARC) is an entrepreneurial humanitarian organization that assists displaced people to move from vulnerability to resilience, from impoverishment to a basic level of well-being, and from exclusion to inclusion. ARC has been provides humanitarian relief and development assistance in Uganda through meaningful engagement with refugees and internally displaced people, innovative human-centered program design, and rigorous attention to outcomes. ARC provides multi-sectoral programs that include water and sanitation and protection. Program funders include UNHCR, and BPRM.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION Based in Kampala, the Country Director is responsible for building ARC’s reputation for innovative programs and for overall growth and execution of quality programs in Uganda. In collaboration with the people we serve, will identify and validate the needs, and pain points, of beneficiaries as well as donors, and then craft programs that address those needs. The Country Director will develop and secure funding for these high-quality programs, and will provide strategic leadership and operational management to the team in Uganda. Will maintain good communication between headquarters and country offices and work in close collaboration with Program Management, Government Affairs, Finance and Grants Management as well as Development and Communications, to align strategy and implementation activities.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Development

    Lead the development and execution of ARC’s Ugandan resource mobilization strategy.
    Develop innovative initiatives with a long term vision.
    Assess current and potential needs of refugee and other vulnerable populations. Design new initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of affected communities.
    Facilitate development and achievement of country strategy and develop strong revenue projections.
    Proactively cultivate relationships with new donors, analyzing the funding environment and trends, and fostering a proactive approach to new funding opportunities.
    Manage collaborative proposal development process to ensure proposals are strategically aligned, technically strong, achievable and realistically budgeted.
    Manage staff responsible for financial and narrative report writing and submission to donors in a timely manner
    Ensure that team is monitoring burn rate and meeting monthly projections.
    Diversify funding and develop key contacts with USAID and other major donors and foundations.
    Build and strengthen external relationships and represent ARC with donors, the host government, international and national organizations; facilitate partnerships with other organizations for programming and advocacy.
    Build capacity of Ugandan team to write successful proposals, providing training and coaching to increase the confidence and skills of staff.
    Liaise and promote cooperation with other agencies and governmental entities.
    Participate in interagency and governmental meetings.

Program Management

    Ensure program targets and quality standards are achieved, maintaining frequent communication with ARC headquarters to promptly identify and resolve challenges.
    Implement solid program management disciplines to ensure program effectiveness, quality and innovation.
    Coordinate all aspects of programming with other ARC programs and initiatives as appropriate. Communicate and oversee the establishment and implementation of program objectives, activities, evaluations, and assessments.
    Ensure that program teams have the necessary tools, resources, information, and assistance to deliver services that meet or exceed internationally accepted standards and protocols.
    Support learning from success and failure, documenting best practices and facilitating collaboration.

Administration

    Liaison with headquarters and ensure headquarters policies and plans are carried out.
    Monitor the security situation and ensure security protocols and procedures are followed.
    Ensure proper maintenance of procurement and inventory management systems consistent with donor guidelines and ARC policies

Personnel Management

    Select, hire, orient and mentor professional and productive international and national staff.
    Ensure staff is properly trained and performance expectations are clear.
    Review and adjust organizational structure and job descriptions as needed to provide clear work expectations and adequate resources for achieving program goals.
    Conduct annual performance reviews and support staff in their ongoing professional development.
    Work collaboratively with headquarters as needed to respond to and manage employee and work environment issues.
    Ensure operating policies, procedures, and communication protocols are clear and consistent.

Financial

    Develop and monitor the annual operational budget, and ensure timely management of financial reporting, audit compliance, and cash flow.
    Ensure there is a core operational budget
    Monitor all financial expenditures including burn rate, accounts payable, petty cash, etc. Ensure all fiscal controls and donor required policy controls are carried out.
    Provide oversight of country program budgets and management of program spending. Anticipate potential funding gaps, develop contingency plans, and closely monitor costs to prevent uncovered program cost.
    Prepare and submit activity reports to donors as well as monthly updates to headquarters.

ANY OTHER DUTIES AS REQUIRED
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

    Minimum five years (seven years preferred) high-level international management experience, with good knowledge of the principal players, issues, policies and trends in the international humanitarian arena.
    Knowledge of the regional political and social conditions.
    Familiarity with US government, UN, private, and multi-lateral funders. Experience with the development actors is preferred.
    Demonstrated financial management experience with NGO’s.
    Demonstrated success in program development, implementation, project monitoring and evaluation.
    Proven strong negotiation skills.
    Ability to manage a diverse team effectively, balance the interests of different stakeholders, and provide excellent leadership by maintaining a constructive work environment and setting a positive example.
    Excellent organizational, administrative and management skills. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
    Experience working in conflict, post-conflict and/or development settings; previous experience in Uganda and central East Africa a plus.
    Undergraduate degree required.

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES:

    Commitment to personally champion ARC’s program vision and mission and inspire others to do the same.
    Excellent written and verbal communication, including effective presentation and facilitation skills
    Strong leadership and management skills including strategy formation, process improvement and team building.
    Excellent strategic thinking, process management and problem solving skills
    Collaborative, result-oriented management style.
    Initiative, resourcefulness and innovation.
    Experience in managing multi-cultural and multi-level (numerous offices) programs.
    Strong participatory leadership and interpersonal skills. Ability to motivate staff and lead a high performing team in a politically sensitive environment.
    Strong oral and written communications skills; strong computer skills.
    Fluency in English required.
    Fluency or working knowledge of local languages desirable.


How to Apply:
http://www.arcrelief.org/site/PageServer?pagename=careers_jobs

Deadline:  18/04/2013