Head of Programme

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

DRC has recently been registered in Chad. We are starting operations in the country and aim to develop them rapidly, with the main objective of responding to the humanitarian crisis in the east of the country in close coordination with DRC in Sudan. Multi-country programming will also be explored in the south of the country, in synergy with DRC Centrafrique and Cameroon.

DRC places a strong emphasis on partnership, localization and sustainable solutions, striving for equitable partnerships, effective coordination mechanisms and capacity building for national and local actors in order to respond effectively to urgent needs, and pave the way for sustainable solutions. DRC is based in six countries in West and Central Africa, with a regional office in Dakar, Senegal.

2- Objective

The HoP reports directly to the Country Director and is an integral part of the in-country Senior Management Team. The HoP will be to contribute to and oversee the implementation of DRC’s strategy in Chadl, taking a proactive and hands-on approach to ensure the highest protection programmatic standards, with an emphasis on quality assurance and lessons learning; work with the programme teams to identify synergies and relevance and developing concept notes and proposals; coordinate project activities, ensuring that they are implemented in accordance with DRC’s quality standards and donor requirements and to support on the associated financial, administrative and reporting duties both externally and internally. This role also includes Cluster representation and technical quality assurance across various protection sectors.

3-Key Specific Responsabilities

Management and coordination

• Represent the programme/operations within the Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Responsible for coordinating the country’s protection strategy ;
• Quality support manager for the protection operations program in Chad
• Line management, performance driver and staff development of Project Manager, Protection Coordinator, MEAL Team, PIM
• Promote and facilitate the effective coordination between the programme and other CO departments.
• Provide oversight and/or support Field and Project Managers in the overall implementation of programme- and project- level activities, ensuring these are planned strategically and to meet high standards of delivery. Follow up and support as needed.

Fundraising and strategy

• Provide contextual programme analysis inputs to DRC’s country and fundraising strategy, ensuring programme relevance and expansion, in line with DRC’s Strategy and donors priorities.
• Participate in consolidating DRC’s operations in Chad and advise on partnerships and programmatic opportunities- (thematic complementarity, geographic presence, consortia with local, national and international partners).
• In close collaboration with the CD and Support Supply Manager, ensure effective planning, management and mobilization of programme resources, including financial and human resources; in coordination with the Area Manager/Project Manager, provide guidance and orientation to programme/project staff.
• In consultation with the programme team, ensure effective implementation of the fundraising strategy, and participate in consolidating DRC’s operations in Chad.

External representation

• Ensure coordination and representation of DRC in relevant humanitarian fora/clusters/working-groups, in support of the Country Director.
• Support the CD in building and strengthening donor relations and making DRC more known in the donor and NGO environment in country.
• Oversee the development of communication tools (project presentations, leaflets) increasing DRC’s visibility among humanitarian stakeholders and the general public.

Programme quality, reporting and compliance

• Ensure quality of overall project and programme activities, with increased synergy and complementarity across projects, and provide regular updates and advise CD on programme improvements.
• Develop/update the country’s protection strategy using a participatory approach and disseminate it to field teams
• Contribute to drive and continuously improve programme performance, by ensuring alignment and streamlining of programme and financial management tools and processes, grant management and reporting.
• Support the collection and management of quality data for protection data in collaboration with the PIM specialist;
• Work closely with DRC’s national partners, assess their capacity and implement organisational and technical capacity-building plans accordingly.
• Supervise the development of timely and quality project reports matching DRC and donor requirements.
• Promote, streamline and strengthen cross-project capitalisation and learning opportunities, in close coordination with the MEAL Manager and Project Managers.
• Support and oversee the development and implementation of strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning systems and feedback mechanisms.
• Ensure monthly qualitative and quantitative reporting and data collection, in line with DRC Chad Results Framework.
• Actively mainstream protection and gender in all projects, and advise on climate mainstreaming; ensure the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and assist the programme with working towards Core Humanitarian Standards and relevant SDGs as well as adherence to SPHERE standards.
• Ensure project compliance to DRC and donor policies and requirements.

Cross-cutting duties

• Maintain effective working relationships with other members of the programme as well as with DRC RO and DRC HQ.
• Contribute to a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all projects.
• Be a role model for diversity, inclusion and belonging and a positive contributor for team spirit.
• Work in accordance with DRC values and humanitarian principles.
• Any other reasonable duties, including interim representation of the mission, as requested by CD.

4- Experience and technical skills (including years of professional experience)

Required Qualifications

• Minimum seven (07) years’ experience in the implementation of emergency and/or general protection projects or sectors specializing in protection, particularly GBV.
• At least 4 years of Expérience with people management
• Experience in fundraising and good understanding of key donor requirements as ECHO, SCDS, CDS, FPI, BHA, EU, BPRM…
• Excellent knowledge of protection issues in an emergency context and of protection guidelines and principles.
• Master’s degree in legal sciences, intervention development, gender/protection studies or other relevant field
• Any other relevant professional background in protection, emergency and economic recovery;
• Proven experience on program implementation, program planning and proposal development, including budgeting.
• Previous experience in developing protection strategies and producing technical guidance related to protection components.
• Experience in working with local partners, local authorities and other INGOs within a consortium.
• Experience in working with donors as as ECHO, SCDS, CDS, FPI, BHA, EU, BPRM…
• Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa
• Full professional command of French and English, including excellent writing skills.
• Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to cope with heavy workloads and work under pressure
• Highly motivated, results-oriented and creative problem solver
• Computer skills in Microsoft Pack (Excel, Office, Outlook, etc.)
• Good understanding of and commitment to DRC values.

5- Skills and qualities required

• In this position, you must demonstrate the five core competencies of the DRC, namely:
• Strive for excellence : you focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
• Collaborate: you cooperate with and involve stakeholders, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take responsibility and prioritize your work in line with DRC’s overall vision and objectives. You take the initiative when faced with a challenge or opportunity and look for innovative solutions.
• Communicate: you write and speak effectively and honestly, adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and engage them in dialogue.
• Demonstrate integrity: You respect and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in line with DRC’s values and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach
• Excellent communication skills (including attentiveness and patience) are required
• Good organizational skills are required
• Exemplary sense of ethics
• Ability to work as part of a team, with a good sense of humor

6- General regulations and ethics

• The Employee shall comply with DRC’s safety, confidentiality and ethical requirements, including compliance with the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• The Employee shall not engage in any other employment during his/her employment with DRC without prior authorization from his/her manager.
• The Employee shall not engage in any activity that is detrimental to DRC or the implementation of its projects during his/her employment with DRC.
• The Employee must not give interviews to the media or share project-related content without prior authorization.
• The Employee shall return to DRC any DRC equipment or property at the end of his/her employment contract.

7- Application procedure

If you are interested in this position, please apply online by following this link: : www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies.

All applicants must upload a cover letter and updated CV (no more than four pages). Applications can only be submitted online via the DRC website, at the link indicated above. Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

Applications will close on July 3rd, 2024.

We encourage national and international candidates to apply and offer competitive salaries. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s terms and conditions of employment. For more information, please visit the DRC website.

DRC guarantees equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. The DRC encourages all candidates to apply and does not discriminate in any way during the recruitment process. However, applicants should bear in mind that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which they will be working.

As part of this recruitment process, it should be noted that Chadian applications will be given priority.

If you have any questions or problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk. For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.