Head of Support Services

1- Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

2- Background

DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998 and in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2011. The DRC West-North Africa & Latin America (WANALA) Regional Office is based in Dakar, Senegal, and covers several countries. Led by the Regional Executive Director, the DRC WANALA oversees, supports, and provides strategic directions for DRC’s Country Offices within the above-mentioned regions: it includes Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, Venezuela.

Under the leadership of the regional office in Dakar, DRC began operations in Mexico in 2020 by responding to the humanitarian needs regarding Humanitarian Demining. Currently, DRC Mexico operates a Country Office located in Mexico City and 2 Bases in cities/Towns in Reynosa (REX) and Tapachula (TAP).

Interventions focus on finding durable solutions for the most vulnerable, using the holistic approach of graduation to improve protection for refugees in the territory. Interventions include identifying key protection risks and inter-population conflicts to identify social cohesion and conflict resolution projects that will bring communities together.

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.

3- Purpose

The Head of Support Services is operationally and strategically responsible for Finance, Human Resources, Logistics and Procurement, Code of conduct, Administration, and IT. She/He oversees, develops and provides strategic direction to his/her support areas.

The Head of Support Services has a country focus and ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks, and provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

4- Responsibilities

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Management

• Lead and manage the support managers (including people planning, performance, well-being and development)
• Manage, deliver and report on current operations programme support in geographic scope
• Establish high performing support teams ensuring high-quality approaches are maintained
• Develop and improve operational approaches, compliance and systems, and support the Country
• Director to build and deliver effective and sustainable interventions.
• Responsible for the strategic development, management and implementation of the support operations
• Ensure appropriate technical support is available to programs, in line with organizational priorities
• Ensure support for annual planning and review processes
• Direct responsibility for ensuring that the DRC Programme operates in accordance with DRC’s support function guidelines

Operational Management

• Support the Country Director and the Senior Management Team in liaising with donors and authorities, especially as relates to issues of compliance, registration, and audit
• Oversee the operational support units for the country by providing strategic leadership and technical support to the areas under his/her supervision
• Supervision, audits and controlling and implementation of corrective actions related to DRC’s operational standards within support area
• Ensure that DRC retains and continually develops its operational capacity to provide rapid emergency response within its procurement and transport systems
• Develop a risk management plan for the country that identifies the major financial and operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy
• Ensure that all administrative and legal-related systems are accurate and maintained
• Work to build the capacity of the operational support staff throughout the operation though frequent in-service training sessions and mentoring support
• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRC’s global development initiatives

DRC Dynamics ERP System

• Ensure ERP functionality is properly used by relevant staff
• Apply reports and data analytics from DRC Dynamics to improve overall performance
• Act as heavy user for most of the Projects & Finance functionalities

5- Required Qualifications

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

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field.
• At least 7 years’ experience in relevant field
• At least 4 years’ experience with people management
• Experience in a similar role in an international NGO
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Proven operational management experience and capability, including in conflict areas
• Proven significant financial, information and systems management experience
• Significant experience in procurement and tender processes
• Understanding and experience of institutional fundraising
• Understanding of the countries in which DRC operates and sensitive to the cultural context
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance and HR systems
• Full professional proficiency in English
• Full professional proficiency in Spanish

6- Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC
  • • 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
• 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 are necessary
• Adaptable and flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

7- 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

8- 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). Both must be in English**.**

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, 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**, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot employ, under an international traineeship or volunteering agreement, a citizen of the country in which she/ he is going to be stationed (in such case, the Republic of Senegal).**

Applications close on September 18th at 11.59 GMT.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.

DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.