State Office Manager (Darfur) – CRS

Job Description

Organization	Catholic Relief Services
Job Title:	State Office Manager- East Darfur
Section/Unit	Operations
Supervisor:	Head of State Offices (HOSO)
Duty Station	Ed Daein, East Darfur
Closing Date:	10 Sept 2024

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS Sudan began implementing in Darfur in 2004 with programs in emergency relief food distribution, health, water and sanitation, shelter, education and agriculture. With an annual program value of over $30 million, CRS provides lifesaving assistance to address the needs of the most vulnerable in conflict-affected and natural disaster-prone areas, and implements longer term programs to respond to climate and conflict-related shocks and build resilience through skills building and preparedness, enhancing basic services, and strengthening linkages between local communities and government.  

Duties and responsibilities:

Job Summary

As State Office Manager (SOM), you will manage and lead operations support to Ed Daien Field office, manage day to day field office activities in the areas of Logistics, Procurement, HR, Finance, Government and other stakeholders’ relation, security and safety, Information and Communication Technology (ICT). You will contribute to advance the programming and operations objectives. The Position will be based in Ed Daien, Eastern Darfur. The SOM will work in close coordination with the program & operations senior management team.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support planning and implementation of all key activities at the state office level ensuring alignment with Country Program (CP) and agency strategic programming and operations excellence priorities and standards.
• Strengthen existing and develop new relationships with local partners, government and community organizations. 
• Attend state level meetings, donors’ visits, INGOs meetings and visit relevant government agencies to help CRS coordinate its programs and strategies,
• Serve as the state-level security focal point. Proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. Ensure a safe work and living environment through leading implementation of safety and security protocols and staff care and well-being best practices. Also, review, approve and make recommendations for CRS staff travel to, from and within the state.
• Effectively manage talent of his/her direct reports. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for his/her direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity for high quality support of programs.
• Ensure staff have access to relevant information, training, and safety materials and equipment to ensure a safe and sound work environment.
• Monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all operational services (HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Admin, ICT) are delivered with high quality in an efficient manner and adhere to policies. Manage risk and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, optimal utilization and maintenance of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material).
• Ensure administrative systems, processes, and polices are in line with agency standards and donor and local law regulations. When necessary, recommend changes in office practices, systems, policies and procedures. 
• Oversee the efficient use and management of CP assets and rented facilities. Ensure fully compliant procurement for office supplies and asset management systems. Organize inventory monitoring, control, and reporting.
• Serve as the key liaison and maintain relationships with relevant external stakeholders (landlords, service providers, etc.) on administrative matters and ensure required authorizations and documents are up-to-date. 
• Manage the provision of travel and logistics support and services to staff and visitors. Manage event planning activities, including delegation visits, trainings and workshops.
• Proactively and effectively manage resources and promote stewardship, ensuring program and operations teams and partner staff have and optimize the appropriate human, financial, and material resources and tools. 
• Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Identify capacity strengthening needs for staff and partners and coordinate with CRS Sudan program and operations teams to address capacity strengthening.
• Coordinate with Port Sudan for any programing and operations support. 
• Liaise with the HSS on staff safety & security as well as reporting on incidents.

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience Required:

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, or other relevant field. 
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in an international organization with progressive responsibilities and some project management experience.
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in managing state or area offices (Head of office, Area manager, base manager).
• Strong experiences in staff safety and security related matters. 
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally.
• Team leadership abilities
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in stakeholder management and establishing and strengthening community partnerships.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Knowledge of procurement and general office administrative/management issues
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.
• Knowledge of multiple public donors’ regulations, including USAID, a plus.

Required Languages – Fluency in Arabic and English required. 

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time to project and office locations within the position’s assigned state. 

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Integrity 
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships 
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Head of State Offices (HOSO), Head of Operations (HoOps), Head of Program (HoP), East Darfur staff, Program Managers, Health , Staff Safety & Security Manager (HSSM)

External: State line ministries and HAC, partner National and International NGOs, UN agencies for coordination and representation. 

 Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

How to apply

If interested, please submit cover letter, resume and copies of your education and work certificates at Ed Daein, level. Ensure that your cover letter or resume has a phone number here you can be reached.