Sayara International is hiring an experienced Programme and Research Manager to join its growing Sudan team. Candidates must be either based in Khartoum already, or willing to relocate there to take up this position. Please read the full Terms of Reference below and guidelines on how to apply for this role.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Position Description:
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Sudan Country Director and the Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa, and working closely with Sayara International’s HQ, the Programme and Research Manager will be responsible for managing the implementation of the Sayara’s programmes and research projects in Sudan. From Sayara’s Khartoum office, they will provide day-to-day management of projects within the Sudan portfolio.
The Programme and Research Manager will guide staff to facilitate the organised, smooth running of all programme activities with clients and other stakeholders from the beginning to the end of each project to maximise results. In addition, they will take a holistic view of the programmes across Sudan to ensure effective design, delivery, management, administration, and staff support.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of taking ownership of all aspects of project management including writing proposals, implementing budgets and workplans, directing fieldwork, managing staff in the office and the field, documenting programme progress and processes, and maintaining positive relations with clients and staff. The Programme and Research Manager will report directly to the Country Director.
The Programme and Research Manager will contribute to the work Sayara does to build positive change in societies that most need it. You will be working as part of a welcoming and diverse international team of experienced professionals.
About Sayara International:
Sayara International is a global development company that specialises in the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behaviour change communications, approaches to countering disinformation, governance strategies, and innovative programming in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in more than 30 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sayara supports the programming of our clients and partners with complex and sustainable research, evaluation, data-driven policy change, crisis management, and humanitarian response in the most challenging environments, working with and for the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Sayara’s origins in conflict and the company’s evolution across fragile contexts have equipped us with a set of values, core operating principles, systems, and competencies unique in the global development industry.
We provide services in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); media monitoring; social and behaviour change communications (SBCC); stabilisation and sub-national governance; gender studies and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); migration, displacement, and countering people smuggling and trafficking; and youth and education.
Sayara’s Sudan programming operates from Khartoum and is part of the East and Horn of Africa regional programme. This regional team conducts projects in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania. Globally, our teams of professionals are based in field offices in Kabul, Khartoum, Kyiv, Medell n, and Nairobi, with support from our offices in London, Paris, and Warsaw, and our headquarters in Washington, D.C. Sayara delivers services to clients around the world, including the United Nations (UNDP, UNOPS, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women), the European Union, governments (U.S., UK, France), universities, international NGOs, and other major donors.
Find out more about Sayara International:
Website: https://sayarainternational.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SayaraIntl
Facebook – Sayara International: https://www.facebook.com/sayarainternational
Facebook – Sayara Sudan: https://www.facebook.com/SayaraSudan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9407279/admin/
Responsibilities:
Program and Research Management – Financial, Administrative, and Human Resources:
- Undertake day-to-day management of programmes, ensuring optimisation of human and financial resources and nurturing a culture of results with the highest performance standards.
- Manage budgets and facilitate budget approvals and revision processes as per Sayara policies and procedures.
- Assign duties to staff, oversee workloads, and provide ongoing support to ensure that staff have the tools and capacities necessary to succeed.
- Ensure appropriate programmatic and accounting documentation as required by Sayara and preparation of required financial reports. Facilitate transparent financial management that is able to stand up to regular audits and evaluation.
- Approve requisitions, follow up on purchase orders and payment requests in Sayara systems and other relevant systems (such as those of our clients), and ensure monthly delivery of programme outputs.
- Prepare workplans and produce timely reports (both financial and programme progress reports), as required by HQ and client reporting systems.
- Ensure that Sayara rules and regulations concerning finance, procurement, and human resources are adhered to in close collaboration with the Operations Manager.
- Support an environment of learning for staff within the programmes.
Programme and Research Planning and Implementation:
- Attend project meetings, both in person and via remote access.
- In collaboration with the Director of Business Development, lead proposal writing and grant processes.
- Prepare progress reports for clients.
- Prepare other articles, reports, and presentations.
- Develop strategic documents concerning programme planning and implementation, such as policy papers, concept notes, and more.
- Work with the Country Director and Regional Director to establish and update office management policies, processes, and reporting systems.
- Develop Terms of Reference for programme consultants/experts hired on a short-term basis; ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports.
- Ensure proper coordination of programme implementation among implementing partners and with government ministries and administrations.
- Ensure the timeliness and quality of programme outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the project.
- Ensure delivery of resources and results according to planned targets.
- Ensure compliance with client contract and donor agreements.
- Promote identification and synthesis of best practices/ lessons learned for organisational sharing and learning.
Management of Research and Programme Activities:
- Lead, plan, and coordinate assigned projects in a timely manner.
- Draft concept notes and inception reports; conduct desk reviews as needed.
- Supervise fieldwork (KIIs, FGDs, etc.), collect and analyse data on a backup basis (archiving systems).
- Train and supervise field teams.
- Work in a team to write analytical reports.
- Support proposal development.
- Manage preparation of research instruments: Key Informant Interview Guides, Focus Groups Discussion Guides, Survey Questionnaire, M&E Frameworks.
- Maintain accurate records.
Relationship Management and Resource Mobilisation:
- Establish and maintain strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders (government, UN agencies, NGOs, CBOs, and donors).
- Attend client meetings and maintain positive, effective communication with clients under the supervision of the Country Director and Regional Director.
- Attend seminars, workshops, and other meetings, as necessary.
- Support mobilisation of resources from different partners, including the preparation of strategies, programme briefs, and project documents, as well as organisation of donor meetings and possible field visits.
- Extract lessons learned to support programme improvement.
Desired Qualifications/ Skills:
- Minimum Master’s degree (B.A. with significant relevant prior experience may be considered) in social science, political science, international affairs, development, or other relevant field.
- Experience conducting fieldwork and applying research to support practical outcomes.
- Experience writing user-friendly, evidence-based reports for use in development programmes.
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation (humanitarian work and/or development programmes).
- Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision and to consistently meet deadlines.
- Ability to work long hours when needed and to take on tasks that may be outside the express Terms of Reference.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage appropriately with various audiences.
- English language writing skills (a writing exercise will be part of the interview).
Location & Travel:
Sayara seeks a candidate who will be willing to relocate and be based in Khartoum, Sudan. Travel throughout the country may be required (depending on COVID-19 safety measures).
Duration:
The Programme and Research Manager will be offered a one (1) year employment contract, with a four (4) month probation period and the option for renewal, based on the discretion of, and mutual agreement between Sayara and the Programme and Research Manager.
Application Process:
Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information, as well as a list of any professional publications and writing samples (such as final reports) via email to: jobs.sdn@sayarainternational.com. Please use “Sudan Programme and Research Manager” as the subject line of your email.
The deadline for applications is 30th September 2021. Note that CVs will be screened on a rolling basis and Sayara will offer the position to the candidate who meets the requirements – even if it is before the deadline.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
