Head of Operations, Sudan

COOPI is looking for a Head of Operations in Sudan

COOPI responds to the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Sudan since 2004, including refugees, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), Returnees and vulnerable communities through an integrated WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods and Shelter approach. Key target groups include women and children, especially female- and child-headed households and unaccompanied minors, as well as the elderly and people living with disabilities. As part of the programmatic approach, COOPI mainstreams Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Action, Gender and Protection, and focuses both on life-saving interventions as well as building long-term resilience through community-based programming. Since 15 April 2023, COOPI, based in Port Sudan, has been providing support to war-affected populations in the states of Gedaref, Khartoum and North Darfur COOPI is currently implementing projects funded by AICS, European Union and UN agencies.

Purpose of the role

He/she is responsible for the country’s logistics and security. He/she ensures the coordination and management of all aspects related to the country’s logistics and particularly: purchase procedures, goods/services supply, the transport systems and the technical organization of the work of all COOPI’s field offices in the country, in accordance with what is defined by the procedures. As well as this, under the supervision and in coordination with the Head of Mission and in close collaboration with the HQ, he/she is responsible for the security aspects of the mission.

Main responsibilities

Coordination of Field Operations

• Ensure operational support to Project Managers for resolving implementation challenges related to logistics, procurement, and security;
• Ensure compliance with COOPI procedures across logistics, finance, and security functions at field level;
• Supervise field-based support departments (logistics, procurement, admin) and ensure effective management;
• Support reporting processes by contributing to internal and donors’ reports and facilitating information flow between field and coordination levels.

Country Logistics coordination

• Coordinates the country logistics function, both at Country Coordination level and at field office level. He/she ensures that the logistics works correctly in qualitative and quantitative terms, at all different levels and in compliance with the procedures.

More in details S/he will coordinate and supervise:

• Purchases’ management;
• Vehicles and machines management;
• Goods and stock management;
• Logistics reports;
• Institutional relations.

Staff management

• Supervise HR processes including recruitment, contracting, induction, performance evaluation, and termination, in line with internal policies and national labor laws;
• Coordinate the development of Terms of Reference for new positions and oversee the recruitment process for both expatriate and national staff;
• Evaluate and supervise logistics staff; ensure training and capacity building plans are implemented;
• Act as HR focal point in the area of operation, ensuring implementation of staff policies and performance monitoring;
• Support Project Managers through targeted coaching and hands-on guidance to strengthen their operational and managerial capacities, ensuring effective and timely project implementation.

Security

• He/she is responsible for the application, the update and the dissemination of the country security regulation at central and field level;
• He/she is responsible for conducting security and risk assessment in COOPI areas of intervention, participating to security meeting at central level;
• He/she is responsible for all goods and organization’s properties security; he/she cooperates and supports the Head of Mission about the expatriate and local staff security;
• In coordination with the Head of Mission, regularly revise and update COOPI internal security procedures in the area.

Requirements

Essential

• A degree in Logistics, Engineering, Business, or related field;
• Proven experience (min. 3 years) in field coordination or operations roles within INGOs, preferably in complex or fragile contexts;
• Experience of working within an insecure environment with responsibility for security planning, monitoring and management;
• Strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills;
• Strong supervisory abilities, and demonstrated capacity of teamwork and of coordination with the relevant actors;
• Ability to organize work efficiently and deliver assignments in a timely manner often under time constraints;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Computer literacy, with high proficiency in the use of standard office software applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
• Experience in project implementation oversight, including support to Project Managers in planning and execution;
• Experience in staff management, including performance evaluation, team supervision, and capacity strengthening.

Desired

• Previous experience with COOPI;
• Experience in coordinating multi-sectoral emergency or resilience programs;
• Background in mentoring or adult learning, especially with project or logistics staff.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled, thanks for understanding.

Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. For more than 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.