South Sudan: ES/NFIs State Focal Point - South Sudan

INTERSOS is an independent non-profit humanitarian organization committed to assist the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable and unprotected people.

1. Terms of reference

Job Title: ES/NFIs State Focal Point
Code: SR-41-511
Country: South Sudan
Duty Station: Torit, South Sudan
Starting date: 01/05/2018
Contract duration: 5 months
Reporting to: WASH Coordinator
Supervision of: N/A
Dependents: No

2. General context of the project

Torit falls in Eastern Equatoria (EEQ), one of the volatile and conflict prone regions in South Sudan. The situation in South Sudan continues to be very fragile. There is limited infrastructural development in Torit area mainly due to the crisis. Torit-Juba and Torit-Kapoeta roads are the main supply routes but not maintained. The road from Torit to Magwi and Nimule that connects Juba plays a significant role in trade and commerce for the country and Eastern Equatoria in particular. The collapse of the Government of National Unity in July 2016 precipitated triggers for conflict, insecurity, economic crisis and food insecurity across the country, with the currency in free fall and inflation skyrocketing. In February 2017, the Government of Salva Kiir and United Nations declared famine in parts of the country with nearly 5 million or 40% of the population at risk. Besides civil conflict and drought, other key internal displacement hazards include flooding and health epidemics especially cholera.

South Sudan is a country which has been affected by complex emergencies, both natural and conflict-related, for decades. INTERSOS has been present in South Sudan since2006 with a country office in Juba and field bases in six States of the country, namely Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria. INTERSOS focuses on implementing emergency response and relief programs in different sectors: Protection, Education, NFI/Shelter and WASH with a special focus on serving the conflict-affected population, which were forced to displace from their homes by the conflict but also the hosting communities, which often are equally vulnerable.

3. General purpose of the position

This position will be based in Torit and the responsible person will serve as Cluster Focal Point taking the lead of cluster coordination among other INGOs, and also coordinates Cluster meetings: organise, chair and act as secretariat for state level cluster meetings; share agenda and minutes of cluster meetings at state and national level. Communicate dates of monthly meetings in advance to NFI Cluster Coordinator for compilation in the national monthly report.

The FP will ensure cluster representation and participation in IA assessments, S/NFI needs assessments, monitoring/evaluation and impact assessments and other programmatic issues as need be. Ensure familiarity of the participating partners with the NFI/shelter assessment tool, and harmonization of approaches (including non-HRP partners and/or those with their own supplies).

4. Main responsibilities and tasks

COORDINATION

• Take the lead on assessments and response to S/NFI need

• Response: Identify gaps and solutions for them, avoid overlaps, and monitor the response progress, all while coordinating with the S/NFI Cluster Coordinators. Highlight areas where frontline team support is needed

• Represent the cluster at Humanitarian Coordination Forum in the state

• Maintain regular contact with NFI Cluster Coordinator on emerging issues, assessments, responses gaps, and prepositioning needs

• Develop and maintain state level cluster contact list, share it regularly with S/NFI state and national stakeholders, and ensure knowledge of who is doing what and where within the sector in the given state. Maintain a state level operational map with all S/NFI partners’ activities (both HRP and non-HRP partners)

• Brief new cluster members on the humanitarian situation in the area and sector specific issues

• Provide initial contact lists, facilitate contacts with key partners, local and national authorities

• Support coordination among different partners at state level

• Coordinate Logistics Cluster convoys, as per the Convoy SOP instructions for the S/NFI Cluster

• Hold partners accountable for their obligations as S/NFI Cluster partners

• Provide training to Cluster partners on a regular basis, reviewing relevant Cluster topics

PLANNING

• Advise and support development of sector baselines, benchmarks and measureable indicators

• Lead the development of state contingency and prepositioning plans for the cluster in coordination with NFI/ES Cluster Coordinator

• Support advocacy campaigns, especially cross-sector advocacy issues, such as humanitarian space and access, need based assistance, impartiality and neutrality of humanitarian response

REPORTING

• Submit monthly stock count and distribution reports to Coordinators by the 7th of each month, in the required format

Monitor and follow up with partners on narrative assessment

CLUSTER OBLIGATIONS

• Visits with Coordinators at least 4 times per year:

*2x 2-day workshop in Juba

*1x Juba visit: performance review with National Coordinators and supervisor, attend Cluster meeting

*1x field meeting with Roving Coordinator and performance discussion

• Performance / Expectations: During the performance reviews with SFPs, Coordinators will base discussions based on the ToR and indicators like monthly minutes, % partner reports, monthly reports*.

*Additionally, the SAG may re-evaluate a designated SFP agency for perpetual poor performance.

SFP agencies should have 1 designated SFP located in the field (or at least spend 50% of time in their field location) alongside a Juba-based staff member who attends Cluster meetings

5. Required profile and experience

Education

Degree in Public Relation and Administration and/or have led humanitarian coordination in conflict environment

Professional experience

• Minimum 2 years in Administration and Coordination with NGO in a high risk/conflict zone (or equivalent role)
• Proven in-country experience with UN and other humanitarian agencies
• Experience in Rapid Response management
• Experience of conducting meetings training and capacity building​

Professional requirements

• Ability to work under pressure or in crisis situations
• Availability to travel within the area of responsibility
• Creativity: Ability to actively seek to improve services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs, and promote and persuade others to consider new ideas
• Teamwork: Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to listen and work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Communication: Proven and sustained communication (verbal and written) skills
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player with proven coordination skills
• Familiar with the issues and cultures in South Sudan, and ability to interact with people at all levels, individually and/or in groups

Languages

Fully proficient in written and spoken English

Personal requirements

• ​Readiness and ability to travel around South Sudan as part of the mobile team according to the needs of the project
• Willingness to spend at least 80% of time in the field in hard-to reach areas living in temporary bases and to accept basic living standards, and movement’s restrictions
• Willingness to live, adapt and productively work in insecure, unstable and/or harsh environments
• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment

For further information and to apply, follow the link below:

https://www.intersos.org/en/work-with-us/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/5ad72411b51a492f40d9ac83/

In case you encounter difficulties applying through INTERSOS' platform, you can also apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and 2 references via email to recruitment@intersos.org , with subject line: "**SR-41-511 ES/NFIs State Focal Point - South Sudan**".

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.