Head of Programme

Head of Programme -Jordan and Iraq 
 

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. Our response in Jordan and Iraq is centred on supporting the safety, dignity and resilience of displacement-affected populations by providing access to basic services and livelihoods opportunities, enabling sustainable long-term solutions for individuals and communities.  DRC aims to merge two existing country programs under a unified management structure to strengthen longer-term viability and reinforce organizational resilience while enabling continued impact in both countries. The operations fall within the Middle East which also comprises Türkiye, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.  As of 2026, the MENA operations will be joined up with DRC’s operational countries in Asia and Europe.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Programme drives the overall Program strategy, in line with DRC’s global Response Framework and ToC as well as needs and contextual developments on the ground. The HoP oversees the conceptualization and development of programmes, supports the Country Director in fundraising and donor engagement, and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality in addition to the effective management of grants. The position manages a team of technical programme staff at the CO level and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality standards are met across the board, including through robust MEAL processes, capitalization of learning and cross-cutting issues (protection and age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming). The HoP actively engages with partners, civil society and the donor community to ensure DRC’s views and priorities are represented. S/he plays a key role in ensuring adherence to internal policies and systems.  

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, programmatically-focused leader who is interested to drive the strategic direction of DRC programmes in Iraq and Jordan as a newly merged operation.

About the job

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Programme Strategy & Development

• Identify and keep abreast of key developments and trends in the country and position DRC to address these with quality and efficiency.
• Drive the conceptualization and development process of the country strategy, and sector strategies collaboratively and with the participation and inputs from the overall country operations. This includes ensuring the strategy is evidence based, and that it is informed by DRC’s expertise and stakeholder consultations.
• Ensure that the key global and regional frameworks are contextualized and applied across programmes and ensure that staff are aware of and understand these.
• Foster synergies between programme areas including integration, harmonization across Area Offices and ensure quality assurance for more holistic approaches to assistance. 
• In close collaboration with the Country Director, ensure advocacy is embedded in and informed by programmes as well as used for external communications with government authorities, donors, and other humanitarian and development stakeholders.

Program Quality & Coordination

• Provide oversight, guidance, and leadership on all aspects of programme design, development and quality assurance.
• Ensure programming is principled and in line with DRC and external humanitarian quality standards.
• Ensure there are systems and tools in place for conflict sensitive including do-no harm approaches to programming. 
• Develop a close and productive working relationship with Area Offices (implementation teams) to ensure by-in of quality standards and processes and that designs, and course corrections are evidence based and informed by learning.
• Ensure the implementation of effective and participatory MEAL plans and system at all levels of the country programme.
• Facilitate collaboration and the utilization of global and regional technical support in areas of new programmatic initiatives (localization, greening, innovation etc.).
• Ensure Information Management is embedded with DRC programme and that data management adheres to GDPR and other data protection protocols including PIM. 

Fundraising, and Grants Management

• Ensure proposals are in line with the Strategic Plan and Sector Strategies, and that they are submitted in a timely manner and with quality. 
• Ensure effective and transparent budgeting, planning and follow-up in compliance with DRC policies and priorities as well as donor rules and regulations.
• Ensure grants opening, review, and closure meetings take place systematically.
• Ensure quality control of donor reports and authorize the submissions of these and proposals to HQ/donors.

Donor liaison, Partnerships and Representation

• Represent DRC Jordan and Iraq to current and potential donors.
• Cultivate key relationships that enhance DRC’s visibility, and credibility and position DRC as a key displacement focused organization in these two contexts.
• Review and oversee implementation of the CSO partnership strategy and promote DRC’s localization agenda.
• Identify local NGOs/partners and develop partnerships with relevant and complementary partners.
• Keep abreast and engage with strategic coordination structures and ensure DRC is well represented in these as well as other external fora as deemed strategic.

Direct staff management: 

• Ensure that technical managers, coordinators, and specialists, under HoP line management have clear and realistic performance-based management goals.
• Provide on-going support and coaching and ensure that line managed staff have the required capacities to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Plan, draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including review of technical efficacy and contract budget.

Experience and technical competencies:

Required

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in programmatic leadership, and design in refugee and IDP conflict or post-conflict settings.
• Experience of working development and humanitarian settings, and at least two years in the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in project cycle management including proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners and a variety of working with and coordinating with a variety of institutional.
• Previous successful experience as a Head of Programme or in similar position.
• Preferably previous successful experience with DRC.
• Proven experience in managing integrated programmes as well as capacity building.

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: 12 Months

Band: E Band

Start date: January 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national/expatriate contracts; please refer to our website for more details.


Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 16 December 2025 . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.