Area Manager

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and displaced persons around the world: we provide emergency aid to these people, fight for their rights and strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and within the countries in which refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, for the fulfillment of their wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organization with over 7,000 employees and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen, and present in 40 countries, the DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral, independent, and non-denominational aid organization.

Our vision is a life with dignity for all the world’s displaced people. All our efforts are based on our moral compass: humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency.

1. Context

Under the leadership of the Dakar regional office and closely linked to interventions in neighboring Central African Republic (CAR), DRC began operations in Cameroon in 2018 by responding to the humanitarian needs of CAR refugees and vulnerable Cameroonians in the Adamaoua region. Currently, DRC operates a regional office in Meiganga and two sub-offices in Djohong (Adamaoua region) and Garoua-Boulai (East region). Interventions focus on finding sustainable solutions for the most vulnerable, using the holistic approach of graduation to improve both protection and economic recovery. Interventions include identifying the main protection risks and conflicts between populations, to identify social cohesion and conflict resolution projects that will bring communities together. The Emergency Mobile Team (EMPACT) established DRC’s program presence in the Southwest region at the end of 2018 to address the needs of forcibly displaced people in the context of the Anglophone crisis, starting humanitarian activities in January 2019. DRC operates in the Meme and Fako divisions, with an office in Buea. Programming focuses in rural and hard-to-reach areas to meet people’s basic needs for food, shelter and NFI, while improving the protection environment and providing income-generating opportunities.

1. Objective

The DRC program in Cameroon is looking to recruit an experienced, highly qualified, and enthusiastic professional to represent, manage and coordinate the South-West and North-West zone (regions), while ensuring compliance with the organization’s operations manual.

The Area Manager will be based in Buea but will be expected to travel to both regions as required (Northwest region with no project implementation at present but potentially in the future) to visit/supervise activities as well as to the National Office for strategic meetings.

This is a responsible position, requiring solid previous experience in a similar position. The position also requires strong operational management skills and expertise in protection, economic recovery, and peacebuilding. The position also requires a good command of the English language, primarily, and French if possible.

1. Roles and responsibilities

The responsibilities listed are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs identified at the time, as long as they remain consistent with the general responsibilities of the position.

1. Management of financial, material, and human resources:

   • Participate in the national management team (ESMT/SMT) while ensuring regular information flows and taking part in strategic decisions.
   • Be responsible for implementing appropriate and effective risk management for all activities (program and support) on the various bases/sub-bases in the zone.
   • Manage budgets for support costs and projects implemented in the zone, in close collaboration with project managers and with the support of the Support Services Manager and the Program Manager.
   • Oversee a monthly project budget monitoring meeting to plan upcoming activities and their costs.
   • Ensure that all positions have a clear job description, and that each team member fully understands the results expected of him/her, and the success criteria for his/her work.
   • Ensure the overall supervision of program teams and that they complete the objectives of each project efficiently, on time and with the necessary quality.
   • Supervise support services (logistics, HR, admin, finance) and ensure that they achieve their objectives efficiently, on time and with the necessary quality; Participate in the planning and implementation of all purchases with effective responsibility for quality, follow-up, and delivery in his/her area of intervention in a timely manner and in accordance with donor requirements.
   • Ensure that teams have access to, understand and comply with DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, systems, and practices.

2. Program development and project management:

   • Coordinate and guide the adaptation of the national DRC strategy to the local context and circumstances.
   • Provide regular analysis of the humanitarian context and situation, and participate proactively in the drafting of project proposals, in full cooperation with the Program Manager and technical coordinators.
   • Implement, supervise, evaluate, and provide technical advice to ensure the quality of projects, in line with DRC and donor requirements, in the area concerned.
   • Ensure the management and analysis of quality information and collaborate in the preparation of evidence-based data.
   • Oversee the collection and analysis of qualitative sectoral data and the production of regular reports to be shared internally and externally.
   • Ensure that DRC projects are implemented in accordance with DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (i.e., Code of Conduct, CHS Principles, DRC Assistance Framework, DRC Program Manual, etc.).

3. Representation, coordination and reporting

   • Ensure constant, transparent, and proactive communication with the country coordination office.
   • Represent DRC and attend all relevant forums/meetings in the area.
   • Maintain relations with administrative authorities and other stakeholders in the area.
   • Maintain close and beneficial working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts.
   • Respect and apply internal reporting requirements, and contribute to external reports, as well as ensuring quality control; ensure that the various reports are of high quality and written on time (technical reports, midline and endline survey, interim/final donor reports).

4. Security Management

   • Provide regular analysis of the context and security situation in the area for the development of security guidelines, in full cooperation with the Country Director and/or Security and Safety Coordinator.
   • Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC beneficiaries, staff, and equipment by ensuring that local security procedures are up to date and that standard operating procedures are known, understood, and respected by all.

5. Monitoring and evaluation (MEAL)

   • Oversee the development of program monitoring tools in conjunction with the MEAL department.
   • Ensure the veracity of indicators collected throughout the project by regular checks of activity sheets and data encoding with MEAL staff and regular coaching of program staff.
   • Continuously update project documentation.

In addition to the above, the Area Manager will potentially perform other tasks as requested by the Country Director.

1. Qualifications required

Essential skills

• BAC +5 degree (Political Science, International Development, Economics/Management or other related field) ;
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in coordination, management and supervision of multi-sector and multi-donor humanitarian and development programs in complex and unstable environments;
• Proven knowledge in the fields of Protection and Economic Recovery;
• Experience in integrated project management;
• Strong leadership and employee management skills in a remote environment;
• Significant experience and skills in logistics, financial management, human resources management and administration;
• Proven skills in managing external stakeholders (in particular local authorities and actors) and excellent communication skills;
• In-depth knowledge and experience in applying and monitoring donor guidelines;
• Experience in security management;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and excellent report writing skills;
• Perfect command of English (oral and written) and good command of French (oral and written);
• Willing to work in a rural and isolated environment.

Desirable

• Experience in representing a large and important international organization to donors, external partners and authorities;
• Experience in networking, advocacy and coordination;
• Professional experience in the region;
• Experience in change management.

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required.
• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humour

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online**: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies.** All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages).

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case: Republic of Cameroon)

Applications close on the 28th of June at midnight (GMT-time).Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.