South Sudan: Program Manager - Malakal-Ulang

Sep 11, 2025 (Deadline: 2025-12-07)
Solidarités International
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The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for launching and leading Solidarités International's (SI) response in the Sobat area, with an initial focus on Ulang and Baliet, and potential into other counties. The role aims to establish SI’s operational presence and deliver timely, high-quality interventions that address urgent humanitarian needs in the sectors of WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), and Non-Food Item (NFI) distribution.
S/he ensures that programs are designed, implemented, and monitored in line with donor requirements, organizational standards, and humanitarian principles. The PM will support the setting up of a string AAP mechanisms. The PM is also responsible for building trusted relationships with local authorities, community representatives, and coordination partners.

Issues and Specific Challenges

- Operations in Areas with Recent Conflict and No Previous SI Presence: Ulang and other parts of the Sobat River area have been heavily affected by conflict, with little to no prior SI presence. This creates challenges in establishing trusted relationships, ensuring acceptance, and setting up operational structures from scratch.

- Coordination with Diverse Authorities and Actors: The presence of multiple authorities and humanitarian actors with differing agendas complicates coordination and requires careful negotiation to ensure principled and effective delivery of assistance.

- High Needs and Scarce Resources: The humanitarian needs in WASH, FSL, and NFIs far exceed available resources. Limited funding and competing priorities constrain the scale and scope of interventions, demanding strict prioritization and advocacy.

- Logistical Constraints: Access to Sobat River locations is highly challenging due to poor infrastructure, seasonal flooding, and high transportation costs, which complicate timely delivery of assistance and sustainment of field operations.

- Severe Gaps in Water Quality and Sanitation: Communities face acute shortages of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, with needs that extend beyond immediate emergency response. Long-term water quality improvement and sanitation system strengthening are essential.

- Safe Storage of Items and Community Engagement: Limited storage facilities and challenging supply chain conditions pose risks for the management of NFIs and WASH materials. At the same time, meaningful community engagement is critical to ensure accountability, participation, and ownership of the response.