Regional Program Manager, My Sister’s Keeper

Posted: 06/20/2011
Location: Boston, Mass. (Juba, Sudan)

Organizational Description

My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) is a women-led, women-focused, humanitarian and peace-building action initiative and envisions a world where all women across the globe can imagine, create, and sustain vibrant and joyous communities.

My Sister’s Keeper partners with the resourceful and resilient Sudanese women and girls living throughout the region of Sudan and in the Diaspora, as they reclaim their lives and rebuild their communities.

We focus on three projects: Kunyuk School for Girls, which now educates 600 girls; Women’s Peace School, an adult literacy training which now enrolls 200 participants; and Sisterhood for Peace, which supports the growth of the network of Sudanese women – inside Sudan and in the Diaspora – working across traditional boundaries of race, religion, ethnicity and geography to promote peace throughout all the regions of Sudan.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the program director, the regional program officer is responsible for the establishment of the MSK presence in the Sudan region; undertaking tasks connected with legal and logistical requirements needed to function on the ground; the management and oversight of MSK’s programs in collaboration with the local program staff and program director; and undertaking administrative tasks including infrastructure delivery, personnel management, outreach coordination and various additional administrative tasks.

This position is full-time, temporary (for a period up to one year or more depending on funding) and includes an excellent benefits package.

Key Job Elements

The regional program officer will be directly engaged in or will support the following activities:

Program Implementation

• Manage and oversee all MSK programs on the ground
• Attend necessary workshops, events and training seminars
• Communicate program status with the program director on weekly basis
• Evaluate programs and provide feedback as needed
• Report and discuss activity schedule plans with the program director
• Travel to project sites for visits, staff support, and program monitoring and evaluation

Infrastructure

• Help secure an office space
• Establish policies and procedures pertaining to the office
• Communicate policy and information to program staff
• Coordinate necessary equipment procurement and maintenance
• Purchase, maintain and inventory all program equipment

Personnel

• Recruit, hire and provide training for program staff in collaboration with the program director
• Support field staff with program promotion
• Provide written evaluation of program staff at the completion of or during each program
• Maintain open communication lines among staff on the ground and MSK headquarters in the United States
• Supervise the work of the field staff

Public Relations

• Pursue/build partnerships with government officials, civil society and other actors
• Solicit and evaluate grant proposals
• Attend and/or participate at relevant meetings with other stakeholders as needed
• Coordinate MSK specific meetings and conferences when planned
• Contribute to the production of newsletter articles and other promotional materials
• Stay abreast of developments inside Sudan and educate MSK’s internal and external audiences

Administration

• Assist with office supervision and management
• Interface and cultivate relations with professional and community partners
• Assist with program budget development
• Maintain program expenses within budgeted parameters
• Appraise MSK staff in the United States of programs’ status
• Staff a highly functioning board of directors inside Sudan
• Assist on program-related tasks where appropriate, including entry of program information into the database
• Maintain frequent contact with staff and interns in order to integrate and collaborate on work activities

Qualifications

• Interested in promoting Sudanese women’s voices and leadership in building peace
• Commitment to working through difficult issues, politics and dynamics
• Knowledgeable about advocacy and issues affecting Sudan
• Experience, skills and enthusiasm around designing, planning and implementing a wide variety of actions, events, trainings and convening(s); experience with large scale project management practices and strategies is essential
• Some prior experience of working with large groups of grassroots people and/or working in diverse community settings, with community building, organizing, program development and implementation
• Ability to build strategic relationships between different stakeholders
• Detail and deadline-oriented with a demonstrated track record of teamwork, accountability, discipline, motivation and follow through
• Willing and able to travel within Sudan and abroad
• Willingness to learn or improve skills; ability to identify and solve problems
• Must be able to work independently or as part of a team with a willingness to teach others
• Must be energetic, self-starter with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Some experience with board development and fiscal management experience essential
• Proficient computer skills; experience using the Internet, Microsoft Word, Excel or other software essential
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate and train staff and an ability to work with diverse staff
• Fluency in English and Arabic a plus
• If not residing in Juba, must be willing to travel and remain onsite for extended periods of time

How To Apply

We strongly encourage online applications from applicants in the United States.

For applicants outside of the United States, send your cover letter, resume and references to hr@tsne.org.

We also accept applications by mail or fax.

Send to:

Third Sector New England
NonProfit Center, 7th floor
Attn: Employment Manager-MSK
89 South Street
Boston, MA 02111

Or fax to 617.523.2070.

Third Sector New England/My Sister’s Keeper is an equal opportunity provider and employer. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds.