Program Director (PD) South Sudan

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 50 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, food security & Livelihood and protection. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $110 million in programs, and approximately 2500 staff based in the various country offices, Head Quarter in Washington DC and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.

About the Country Program in South Sudan

Action Against Hunger's strategic operations in South Sudan, a country grappling with a protracted humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability, are focused on delivering integrated, multi-sectoral relief. Since 1985, their work has centered on providing lifesaving Nutrition and Health, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and Food Security and Livelihoods programs, often reaching vulnerable populations in remote, hard-to-access areas. Key to their strategy is an emphasis on emergency response—including mobile teams and rapid deployment—coupled with resilience-building initiatives, such as climate-smart agriculture, to mitigate chronic hunger and transition communities toward self-sufficiency. Furthermore, Action Against Hunger engages in critical advocacy at the national level, contributing expertise to policy development, like South Sudan's National Nutrition Policy, to secure long-term, systemic change in the face of ongoing crises.

I. Summary of Position

The Program Director serves as the senior leader accountable for the entire program cycle, providing unified strategic vision and technical leadership for Action Against Hunger's country program in South Sudan. This integrated role combines program development, quality assurance, and implementation oversight to ensure a cohesive "one-team" approach. The Program Director is ultimately responsible for strategic direction, resource mobilization, technical excellence, and operational effectiveness, guaranteeing that programs deliver measurable impact while maintaining compliance with organizational and donor standards.

Purpose: To provide integrated leadership that transforms strategic vision into tangible results, ensuring the South Sudan country program is strategically sound, well-funded, technically excellent, and effectively implemented to reduce hunger and malnutrition.

Engagement: The Program Director engages with diverse stakeholders - from high-level donors and government ministries to field teams and local partners - serving as the primary link between strategic ambition and operational reality while fostering collaboration across all departments.

Delivery: The Program Director delivers a high-quality, evidence-based, and effectively managed country program that meets strategic objectives while delivering life-saving services on-scope, on-time, and on-budget.

Requirements

II. Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Program Leadership and Alignment

• Lead the development and implementation of the Country Strategy Plan (CSP), ensuring alignment with Action Against Hunger's ISP goals and global SDG objectives
• Establish and maintain robust quality assurance systems to ensure program adherence to international standards and best practices, strengthening a culture of continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making
• Foster synergy and cross-functional collaboration between program departments (Nutrition & Health, FSL, WASH, MEAL, Advocacy, Gender & Protection) for integrated multi-sectoral programming
• Oversee comprehensive needs assessments and gap analyses to identify priority interventions for fighting hunger and undernutrition across South Sudan
• Develop innovative, evidence-based program concepts that integrate health, WASH, FSL, gender protection, and social protection components to improve nutrition outcomes
• Secure leadership buy-in for the Country Strategy Plan and mobilize resources for program implementation through strategic engagement with senior management
• Align program activities with regional nutrition priorities, international best practices, and government policies
• Lead the development of comprehensive MEAL frameworks that generate timely evidence for learning and adaptive management
• Identify and mitigate program risks while developing strategies to ensure program sustainability and resilience
• Advocate for integrating child safeguarding principles throughout all programming and ensure culturally appropriate, sustainable program designs

2. Program Quality Assurance through MEAL Excellence and knowledge management

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive knowledge management system to systematically capture, document, and disseminate evidence, best practices, and lessons learned from programs and projects to inform organizational learning and improve future program design.
• Lead the contextualization and rollout of the ACF Project Quality Management Tool (PQMT) in South Sudan, ensuring it is adapted to the specific operational challenges and programmatic needs of the country office, and that all relevant staff are trained on its application for the project cycle.
• Standardize MEAL systems and establish a robust Continuous Quality Improvement framework incorporating methodologies such as Model for Improvement, PDSA, Bottleneck analysis (BNA), Lean Six Sigma/kaizen, and Theory of Change as per the national quality initiative.
• Lead the development and regular updating of comprehensive situation analyses covering hunger hotspots, IPC classifications, SMART+ surveys, and gender analysis
• Drive forward the Country Strategy Plan implementation, monitoring progress against strategic pivots and organizational priorities
• Provide leadership on CSP monitoring and ensure accurate, timely completion of Country Annual Reports aligned with the Global Results Framework
• Facilitate the development and integration of cross-cutting priorities including localization, disability inclusion, Nutrition-centric HDP Nexus, and gender mainstreaming
• Establish comprehensive quality assurance and accountability frameworks in collaboration with technical advisors
• Promote data-driven decision-making and champion the use of digital data collection tools (DHIS2, PIMS roll out) to enhance monitoring efficiency
• Design and implement centralized databases, data visualization tools, and mobile applications to streamline MEAL processes
• Conduct regular field visits to assess program implementation quality and provide technical guidance aligned with ACF and government standards

3. Program Development and Resource Mobilization

• Develop and execute a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy and business development workplan to secure funding for country programs
• Conduct donor intelligence gathering and prepositioning with major donors, consortia, and alliances to maintain up-to-date knowledge of funding landscapes
• Lead the development of high-quality proposals aligned with donor priorities, child rights principles, and ACF's Theory of Change
• Build and manage strategic relationships with government entities, donors, and partners to secure sustainable funding
• Ensure proposal designs incorporate robust MEAL plans, align with ACF's Results Framework, and include critical learning questions
• Manage the business development team and ensure technical HODs maintain budget ownership throughout proposal development
• Identify funding opportunities and develop both solicited and unsolicited concept notes and proposals for program expansion
• Ensure timely and accurate donor reporting that demonstrates program impact and secures continued funding
• Facilitate partnership brokering and ensure appropriate engagement of local partners in program design and implementation

4. Program Implementation and program Management for flawless execution

• Champion flawless program execution by proactively identifying and mitigating operational bottlenecks, ensuring seamless coordination between technical and support teams, and maintaining a relentless focus on achieving project milestones and deliverables.
• Provide overarching leadership for program implementation, ensuring activities are delivered on scope, on time, and within budget
• Develop and monitor detailed implementation plans (DPI and AoPs) that translate strategic objectives into actionable field-level activities
• Establish systems and processes to support efficient program delivery across multiple technical sectors
• Ensure optimal allocation and utilization of program resources to achieve value for money and maximum impact
• Oversee procurement planning and supply chain management to ensure timely delivery of program inputs
• Implement and monitor operational aspects of accountability frameworks and community feedback mechanisms
• Conduct regular program reviews, compliance checks, and audits to identify areas for improvement
• Manage program finances including cash flow forecasting, budget execution, and financial reporting
• Ensure operational compliance with donor regulations throughout the project lifecycle

5. Team Leadership and Capacity Development

• Lead the development and execution of a capacity-strengthening plan for national staff and local partners staff, focused on the practical application of the Project Quality Management Tool (PQMT) and Program management (PMD Pro or PMI), to enhance program management rigor and embed a culture of continuous improvement initiative within the South Sudan country program.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction for technical heads of departments, setting clear goals and performance expectations
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning within the program team
• Lead, mentor, and coach technical HODs in Nutrition & Health, FSL, WASH, MEAL, Advocacy, Gender & Protection and business development
• Develop and implement capacity building programs focused on quality improvement methodologies and technical excellence
• Establish and maintain a culture of collaborative, results-oriented work across all program departments
• Ensure adherence to Action Against Hunger's child safeguarding policies and procedures within all program teams
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to enhance staff performance
• Recruit, retain, and develop a highly skilled program team with expertise in nutrition-sensitive programming
• Implement knowledge management systems to capture, document, and share best practices and lessons learned

6. Strategic Partnerships, Consortium Leadership, and Policy Influence

• Provide strategic leadership for ACF's engagement in consortia and high-level partnerships, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities while maximizing collective impact and value addition
• Establish and maintain clear governance structures, communication protocols, and coordination mechanisms for multi-partner initiatives to avoid duplication and maximize synergies
• Lead comprehensive partner capacity assessments and develop tailored capacity strengthening plans for local implementing partners, focusing on organizational development and program quality
• Negotiate consortium agreements and partnership frameworks that protect ACF's interests while fostering collaborative and equitable relationships
• Represent ACF in consortium steering committees, high-level partnership forums, and policy dialogues to advance organizational priorities and influence sector-wide approaches
• Conduct action research and policy analysis to identify key advocacy opportunities and develop evidence-based policy asks aligned with ACF's global and regional priorities
• Engage with government officials, policymakers, parliamentarians, and sector networks to advocate for policy reforms and increase investment in nutrition-sensitive programming
• Monitor consortium performance against agreed indicators and facilitate joint problem-solving sessions to address implementation challenges and enhance collective impact
• Manage consortium budgets and ensure financial accountability across partner organizations while maintaining compliance with donor requirements
• Facilitate learning and knowledge sharing among consortium partners and stakeholders to enhance collective impact and contribute to sector-wide learning
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, local organizations, international actors, and civil society organizations to strengthen advocacy efforts and program sustainability
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies that leverage consortium partnerships to amplify policy messages and drive systemic change in hunger and nutrition programming

7. Emergency Preparedness and Response Management

• Establish and maintain a robust emergency preparedness system, including early warning mechanisms and rapid response protocols for sudden-onset emergencies
• Lead multi-sectoral rapid needs assessments in emergency contexts to inform immediate programmatic responses
• Ensure pre-positioning of emergency supplies and development of contingency plans for likely disaster scenarios in South Sudan
• Coordinate with UN OCHA, clusters, and other humanitarian actors to ensure ACF's effective participation in coordinated emergency responses
• Mobilize emergency funding and lead the development of emergency appeal proposals in crisis situations
• Establish and maintain emergency response teams with clear roles, responsibilities, and deployment protocols
• Integrate emergency response with longer-term resilience programming to ensure continuum of care for affected populations
• Ensure all emergency programs adhere to Sphere Standards and humanitarian principles
• Conduct regular simulation exercises and emergency preparedness drills with program teams
• Establish systems for real-time monitoring and evaluation of emergency response activities

Supervisory Responsibilities

i. Human resources management and coaching of the technical and program teams

• Direct management of the Nutrition and Health, WASH, FSL, gender and Protection and MEAL Heads of Departments (5), and the Program Development lead (Associate Director for Business development).
• Set the job objectives of all direct subordinates, hold monthly regular conversations, organize appraisals and conduct the annual performance review for his/her staff
• Hold regular program follow up meetings at capital level, coordinate action points and monitor progress
• General leadership, coaching and mentoring of Technical Departments acting as a liaison between CD and the Support Departments
• Revision of all job descriptions for technical positions in collaboration with the Heads of Department as needed.
• Provide input to BD on program issues relating to human resources and budgeting.
• Initiate disciplinary measures where needed in accordance with the HR regulations
• Ensure program staff is motivated and committed to the Action Against Hunger charter and programs
• Contribute to the career development for program staff in collaboration with the HR department to identify needs of training
• Collaborates with: Regional PDQ director, Country Director, Program Director Delivery, Director of Finance, Program delivery Director and Support service Director, HR Director, US Business Development Unit and East Africa Regional Office.

ii. Gender Equality Commitments

• Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion. 8race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

iii. Fiscal Responsibility

• Overall/ high level coordination of project, startup, implementation and close out including budget management, MEAL and donor reporting.

iv. Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

v. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance of at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases. Expected to perform any duties as assigned by Line Manager.

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Minimum of MScs degree in public health, Nutrition, development studies, WASH engineer or related field.
• A PhD degree will be considered as an added advantage.
• At least 10 years of related experience with an INGO including senior management program positions
• Experience in at least one of Action Against Hunger’s core technical sectors: Nutrition and Health, WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods, Agriculture/climate in development and/or emergencies.
• Experience in managing complex development and resilience building projects for donors such as ECHO, GFFO, SIDA and the European Commission etc
• Required Skills & Competencies
• Familiarity with project design methods and tools (including assessments, logical frameworks and theory of change) and strong appreciation for innovation, digitalization and partnership as part of project development.
• Good analytical skills with ability to positively influence cross-departmental and cross sector working.
• Strong results orientation, with ability to meet deadlines and produce high-quality products.
• Strong cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with the proposal development teams to meet deadlines.
• Substantial experience and skills in establishing and maintaining external relations with government, community stakeholders and civil society.
• Fluency in English (business level), both verbal and written
• Proficiency in computer e.g. MS Word, MS Power Point and Excel.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Familiarity with project design methods and tools (including assessments, logical frameworks and theory of change) and strong appreciation for innovation, digitalization and partnership as part of project development.
• Good analytical skills with ability to positively influence cross-departmental and cross sector working.
• Strong results orientation, with ability to meet deadlines and produce high-quality products.
• Strong cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with the proposal development teams to meet deadlines.
• Substantial experience and skills in establishing and maintaining external relations with government, community stakeholders and civil society.
• Fluency in English (business level), both verbal and written
• Proficiency in computer e.g. MS Word, MS Power Point and Excel.