Head of Programme at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Job Overview
Head of Programme at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Head of Programme at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Overall Purpose
The overall objective of the post-holder is to ensure the accountability of DRC’s program towards the humanitarian and developmental needs in Burundi and Tanzania and the donors supporting the response. The HoP is expected to contribute to quality assurance across program implementation and ensure that DRC’s projects bring a significant contribution to meeting existing needs, transitioning from relief to longer-term rebuilding and recovery, and building secure productive and just communities including from an environmental perspective. DRC’s work in Burundi and Tanzania is focused on Integrated Protection and Economic Recovery activities with add on Climate Change Adaptation and CCCM programming targeting Congolese and Burundian asylum seekers and refugees living in Tanzania, Burundian returnees to Burundi, IDPs, and hosting communities.
The HoP is a key senior position in the DRC operational set up covering Burundi and Tanzania, responsible for cross-cutting programmatic information management, sound design of high quality programming, comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, ensuring compliance to donor and DRC policies and Minimum Standards, and delivers on high quality, successful business development. S/he must ensure that policies, systems and people are continuously and accurately working in a coordinated manner in order to ensure that a coherent and comprehensive program is designed and implemented with a focus on program sector integration as well as cross-border interlinkages.
The HoP leads the development of new programming strategies and program reporting. He/she has a close working relationship with the Area Managers in Burundi & Tanzania, the Head of Support Services Tanzania and Burundi (HoSS), Grants Coordinator and MEAL staff in both countries. The HoP will be part of the senior management team. The HoP will also have technical project management responsibilities for part of our programming in Burundi. The below list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and other tasks may be required to adapt to programmatic needs.
Responsibilities
Program strategy and leadership:
Lead and coordinate the development, implementation and monitoring of DRC’s programmatic strategy in Tanzania and Burundi, and individual sector strategies in Economic Recovery, Protection amongst others.
Develop and implement a business development strategy across the core geographic and thematic areas of focus for DRC in Burundi-Tanzania, in line with regional and country strategic plans.
Conduct constant in-depth analysis of context, trends, gaps, challenges and opportunities, including through pro-active external engagement.
Foster synergies between program areas (integrated approach), support the strong integration of protection and economic recovery throughout all initiatives and ensure adherence to Sphere and Minimum standards.
Supervise overall achievement and quality of all project cycle management, and in coordination with HOSS and budget holders, supervise programme budget consumption.
Lead in the development of partnership strategies and the process of localisation in both countries
Support MEAL department in rolling out qualitative monitoring and evaluation approaches aiming to build contextually-grounded learning into program activities, and to set-up, develop and ensure complaints handling mechanisms are in place for all programs/offices;
Supervise and oversee grants management including reporting, project review meetings, project kick off and closure meetings, compliance etc.
Strengthens existing cross-border synergies between DRC’s program activities in the two countries.
Team management & technical support:
Provide technical mentorship to teams through regular one-to-one supervision and performance appraisals in coordination with Area Managers (specifically protection) in Burundi.
Establish capacity building plans to develop and enhance the skills and competencies of programme team members (specifically on Protection) in Burundi.
Visit field program activities on a regular basis and provide support and feedback to staff and implementing partners on program approaches, technical quality, project cycle management, and methodological issues.
Develop and roll-out necessary tools, SOPs, technical guidelines to support project implementation in key technical areas.
Coordination, representation & advocacy:
Represent DRC in all relevant high-level coordination forums as required.
Lead the development and roll-out of DRC Tanzania and Burundi advocacy strategies.
Produce and disseminate communications and advocacy materials (including learning briefs) within DRC, to donors and to other stakeholders to position DRC on key areas of thematic and geographic focus (in line with the strategies) in Tanzania and Burundi.
Maintain close working relationships with counterparts within Tanzania and Burundi and the EAGL region and HQ to ensure strategy and implementation coherence with overall objectives.
You should have:
At least 7 years proven and successful track record in international humanitarian response or development programming.
You should also have:
Proven work experience in displacement contexts combined with experience in protection and or Economic Recovery/livelihoods programming in a post emergency context, community development and/or legal or human rights programming.
A degree in relevant social disciplines such as international relations, humanitarian assistance, social sciences business administration, management, law/human rights.
Proven leadership skills and competence in people management, including with remote management of staff.
Proven technical experience in Protection or Economic Recovery at a programme and Project Management level is a requirement.
Proven track record in business development with key institutional donors such as EU, FCDO, US government, UN agencies. Experience with foundations and private fundraising an advantage.
Experience with project cycle management and project management tools such as logical frameworks, work plans, budget monitoring etc..
Experience with effectively coordinating with national partners, local/ government authorities, NGO partners, UNHCR and other relevant stakeholders.
Fluent and articulate in French and English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential.
Willingness to regularly travel between countries and field offices.
Ideally, you also have:
Previous experience working in the Great Lakes region.
A proven track record in staff capacity building.
A proven interest in programming which focuses on reduction of environmental degradation as a cross-cutting issue.
Good knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standards or other accountability measures/standards.
Moreover, 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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
We offer
Duration: 1 year renewable subject to performance and funding.
Contract: Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies graded as Band M.E level 1. For qualified Burundian or Tanzanian nationals the terms of employment will be in accordance with DRC terms for National staff in Burundi and Tanzania respectively
Start Date: February/March 2024
Duty Station: Bujumbura, field locations Burundi (60%) and the Kigoma Region of Tanzania (40%); Family duty station, position is Un-accompanied
Reporting: This position reports to the Country Director Tanzania and Burundi
Supervising: Initially no direct supervisory roles are allocated to this role, instead there will be technical mentorship to programme team members in the cores sectors in both countries.
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html). All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards.
Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.
Closing date for applications: 20 December 2023.
