****POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT****
****Project Director – Education in South Sudan****
Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International is recruiting applicants for the position of Project Director for its USAID-funded Room to Learn South Sudan (RtL) project. The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the attached position description.
****GENERAL:****
Winrock is a recognized leader in U.S. and international development with a focus on social and environmental issues. As a mission driven, field-based organization, we believe that sustainable development is inclusive and that complex challenges require integrated solutions. We pride ourselves as a learning organization that embraces continuous improvement in program results and processes and a culture of accountability.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits.
****POSITION DESCRIPTION****
****POSITION TITLE:**** Project Director
****LOCATION:**** Juba, South Sudan (with up to 40% travel to the field)
****UNIT:**** Education & Empowerment
****REPORTS TO:****Senior Program Officer, Education & Empowerment
****PROGRAM SUMMARY:****
The Project Director will manage the Room to Learn (RtL) South Sudan USAID-funded education program for Winrock International. The Project Director will be responsible for implementing a high-quality, results-oriented education project that addresses equity, stability, access, quality, relevance, and community participation.
****ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:****
The Project Director is responsible for overall project management, supervision, administration, and implementation of the requirements of the project. He/she will establish and maintain systems for project operations; ensure that all cooperative agreement deadlines are met and targets are achieved; maintain working relationships with project stakeholders (including sub-grantees and/or subcontractors); and oversee the preparation and submission of technical and financial reports to USAID. Specific responsibilities include:
- Provide overall technical expertise, strategic vision, and leadership on a number of areas, particularly the expansion of equitable basic education services in formal and non-formal settings, pupil and teacher well-being, and stability components of the project. Other technical areas include school improvement, gender equity and sensitivity, conflict-sensitive approaches, teacher training, early grade reading and numeracy, life-skills instruction/activities, psychosocial well-being of learners and teachers, curriculum development, and learning outcomes.
- Act as primary liaison with USAID/South Sudan on all management and technical matters and maintain close communication with USAID through formal review sessions and by providing ongoing, informal updates of project progress.
- Facilitate project design, strategic planning, and implementation of project activities.
- Develop and oversee the project’s annual planning and high quality implementation of activities and deliverables in order to deliver impact within agreed timelines.
- Oversee project budget and ensure that all financial activity is carried out in accordance with annual budget allocations, Winrock policy, and donor guidelines.
- Provide technical assistance, support, and oversight to partners.
- Provide technical assistance, support, and information to national, state and local government officials, particularly the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
- Provide technical assistance, support, and capacity development to Community-Based Organizations (including PTAs, School Management Committees, Boards of Governors, Community Mothers Groups and others)
- Ensure that the program is well-coordinated with other major education donors and programs in South Sudan, including the Global Partnership for Education and the Girls’ Education South Sudan.
- Represent the project and Winrock to donors, local and national government entities, the media, local NGOs, and the local business community and document successes, lessons learned and best practices related to education.
- Oversee monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and deliverables and coordinate external and impact evaluations.
- With support from field and home office staff, prepare and submit timely and accurate project, financial, and procurement reports to USAID and Winrock.
- Hire and supervise project staff and annually evaluate their performance.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Successful candidates will have strong and salient experience managing education programs in sub-Saharan Africa, with preference for relevant experience in conflict or post-conflict areas. Specific experience and specialization in at least three of the following is required: enrollment and retention; curriculum development; school improvements; non-formal education; teacher training; policy advocacy, community mobilization, gender-based violence; monitoring & evaluation (of education programs); psychosocial well-being. Significant USAID project management experience and leadership is highly desired.
QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:
Education: Advanced degree (Master’s degree or higher) in education or international education, or other relevant advanced degree required
Certification, training, or experience in monitoring & evaluation
Management Experience:Enthusiastic and collaborative candidates who possess strategic vision and the willingness and ability to show results are encouraged to apply.
- Minimum 12 years of experience managing or supporting donor-funded programs (preferably USAID).
- Minimum 12 years professional experience in basic education including at least 5 years field experience in developing countries, including conflict-affected areas.
- At least 5 years’ experience working in developing countries, including work in complex, politically charged, unstable environments is crucial.
- Experience managing to the highest ethical standards international projects valued at $35 million or more.
- Management and implementation of complex, multi-activity programming, on time and on budget.
- Financial/budget management, budget design, and complex grants program management facility is essential.
- Implementation of psychosocial well-being activities or other related activities desired
- Orientation toward community-led and –owned programs is preferred
- Experience targeting and reaching the most disadvantage groups especially girls, the disabled, pastoralists, returnees and internally displaced people
- Experience leading program design and strategic planning and implementing strategic plans.
- Expertise designing and implementing or overseeing monitoring & evaluation systems.
- Emphasis on building capacity of and empowering host-country people and institutions highly desirable.
- Capacity to build, motivate, and effectively supervise a diverse team of local and expatriate employees.
- Previous experience managing a large staff and implementing programs in multiple remote locations.
- Good track record working with and/or partnering with a variety of individuals and organizations, including senior US and host country government officials, international agencies, private sector companies, and donor organizations.
- Proven ability to demonstrate the highest level of ethical standards at all times; ability to multi-task and juggle competing priorities while ensuring quality output.
****Skills:****
- Fluent English language skills required.
- Additional language skills (Arabic or local languages) preferred.
- Facility with USAID regulations, policies, and procedures or those of an equivalently complex international government funding organization.
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, conflict, and ethical management skills.
- Ability to coordinate with home office, stakeholders, and clients is essential.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills; demonstrated ability to interact effectively and sensitively with multi-cultural staff, external donors and collaborators is essential.
- Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft).
HOW TO APPLY:
****APPLICATIONS:****
Applicants should go to http://www.winrock.org/page/careers-winrock and submit a current resume, cover letter and reference contacts to the attention of ****PDEDSS****by September 14, 2015.
Winrock would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted.
EEOE/AA.
