Head of Support Services – Cameroon

The West and Central Africa, North Africa and Latin America (WANALA) region has 73 bases spread around three main areas in 12 countries: 43 in West Africa (former WARO), 11 in North Africa (former NARO) and 19 in the Americas.

Under the leadership of the regional office in Dakar and closely linked to interventions in neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR), DRC began operations in Cameroon in 2018 by responding to the humanitarian needs of refugees from CAR 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 (Eastern region). Interventions focus on finding durable solutions for the most vulnerable, using the holistic approach of graduation to improve both protection and economic recovery. Interventions include identifying key protection risks and inter-population conflicts 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 in late 2018 to address the needs of forcibly displaced people in the context of the Anglophone crisis, beginning 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 NFIs, while improving the protection environment and providing income generation opportunities.

About the Job

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Head of Support Functions (HoSS) has strategic and operational responsibility for Finance, Human Resources, Logistics and Procurement, Administration and/or Information Technology. He/she oversees, develops, and provides strategic direction to his/her support areas. This role is country focused and ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines in country.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Team management and internal communication

• Lead and manage support managers (including planning, performance, wellness, and staff development)
• Manage, deliver, and report on support of current operations across a geographic scope.
• Build high performing support teams to ensure high quality approaches are maintained.
• Develop and improve operational approaches, compliance, and systems, and support the Country Director in developing and implementing effective and sustainable interventions.
• Responsible for the strategic development, management, and implementation of support operations.
• Provide tailored technical support in line with organizational priorities.
• Actively participate in the development of the annual strategy as part of his/her operational duties.
• Ensure that DRC programs are implemented in accordance with the organization’s internal procedures.

Support Services Management

• Support the Country Director in liaising with donors and authorities, particularly with regard to compliance, registration and auditing issues.
• Oversee the country operational support units by providing strategic leadership and technical support in the areas under his/her supervision.
• Oversight, audits and monitors and implements corrective actions related to DRC operational standards in the support area.
• Ensure that DRC maintains and develops its operational capacity, particularly with respect to its supply and transportation systems.
• Develop and maintain the necessary tools to ensure the efficiency of the mission support departments.
• Ensure that legal and administrative systems are fair and meet internal, donor and local government requirements.
• Develop a country risk management plan that identifies key financial and operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy.
• Work to strengthen the capacity of support staff through the implementation of training sessions and personalized mentoring.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRC’s global initiatives.

DRC Dynamics ERP System

• Ensure ERP functionality is properly utilized by relevant personnel.
• Develop the Procure to Pay (P2P) module in DRC Cameroon
• Ensure the data from the master budget are accurate and UpToDate
• Perform analysis, reporting and data from DRC Dynamics to improve overall performance.
• Be the country level referent of ERP usage for support functionality.

Deputy Responsibilities:

• Assist the Country Director in ensuring coherence of strategic programming with DRC’s operational platforms, coordinate DRC’s program development, strengthen program quality, standards, and learning, and enforce DRC accountability frameworks.
• Represent DRC with authorities, UN agencies, humanitarian agencies and other partners.
• Act as the Country Director in his/her absence

As the lead, the position is responsible for the following tasks:

• Responsible for the achievement of DRC’s strategic goals and objectives in responsibility
• Responsible for making significant decisions on the activities of the unit.
• Responsible for the management of staff reporting directly to him/her.
• Responsible for making decisions considering policies, standards, and technical expert advice to DRC.

In addition to the above, the Head of Support Services may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Country Director.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect that you possess the following

• Advanced degree(s) in finance, economics, logistics or similar field
• At least seven years of experience in humanitarian support management, including four years in people management.
• Experience in a similar role in an international NGO
• Proven leadership and people management skills
• Demonstrated and significant experience in financial, information and systems management
• Significant experience in procurement and tendering processes
• Demonstrated experience and ability in operational management, including in conflict zones.
• Understanding of and experience with institutional fundraising
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance, and human resources systems.
• Excellent written and spoken French and English skills.
• Experience in a Central and/or West African country preferred.
• 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

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 24 Months

Band: E

Designation of Duty Station: Small family package

Start date: 1 July 2023

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Benoit Couturier at benoit.couturier@drc.ngo Applications sent by email will not be considered.