Support Services Manager

DRC Uganda is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as Support Services Manager. 

The overall purpose of the role:  

The Support Services Manager will be reporting to the Area Manager and working closely with the Base Manager and Program Managers. He/she will provide coordinated, strategic leadership for all support functions in the field offices and ensure they run smoothly to meet programme needs, in line with the DRC Operations Handbook. 

Your main duties and responsibilities will be: 

Planning and strategy 

• Ensure that annual planning for support services is done and regular targets are met and that these are linked to the coordination unit for consistency 

• Ensure that project planning includes relevant support service requirements (such as lead times and appropriate budgets) 

• Ensure that resource mobilisation is realistic and meets the needs of support functions, by using the operations budget as input to donor proposals 

• Ensure that support services are fit for purpose to meet programme needs in the field. 

• Be the focal point for the field-based risk assessment, compliance, and internal audit  

HR support 

• Ensure that monthly reports are produced and that targets are met by the department, while being a link to the HR coordination unit at the Country office. 

• Ensure that quarterly tasks are completed on time (such as staff induction, Code of Conduct training, and leave planning) for all field staff. 

• Ensure that annual HR tasks are completed as per the Operations Handbook (e.g., Performance & Development Reviews) for all field staff. 

• Streamline HR responses across departments (e.g., support on organogram development) in liaison with the Head of Support Services. 

• Ensure the HR team fulfils daily tasks, such as recruitment, contract renewal/ amendments, timesheet submission and leave tracking. 

Administration support  

• Be the focal point for key administrative tasks, such as landlord engagement, sub-lease and contract renewal for premises space in the field offices. 

• Oversee the team to ensure follow-up on routine tasks are carried out (office supplies, utilities bill payments, office rental and lease agreements) 

Logistics and procurement support 

• Ensure procurement procedures are followed while being the focal point for tenders together with the Country office supply chain unit (including being a chairman for most major tenders serving the field office) 

• Closely follow department KPIs and ensure that monthly report submissions are timely and of high quality 

• Be a focal point and decision maker for fleet movement cancellations in line with Area Manager advice 

• Work with the Area Manager to ensure each of the sub-departments (procurement, fleet, assets, warehouse and IT) has targets and is meeting them, in line with Operation Handbook procedures 

Finance 

• Primary budget holder for all support service lines serving the field offices. 

• Responsible for budget monitoring and forecasting for support service budgets 

• Work with program managers to budget and monitor the performance of their respective grants. 

• Ensure that key annual finance tasks are completed (such as the annual reports) 

• Work with finance to ensure programme teams clearly understand compliance requirements. 

• Ensure that monthly finance tasks are completed (payroll, cashbooks and cash forecasts) and in line with Operations Handbook procedures. 

About you 

To be successful in this role, you must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in support services management, including human resources, financial management, budgeting and grants compliance, supply chain, procurement, and logistics management with in a humanitarian or development organization. Moreover, we also expect the following. 

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, or related field. 

• Demonstrated experience in financial management, budgeting, budget monitoring, forecasting, and donor grant compliance. 

• Proven experience in procurement and supply chain management, including tender management, fleet, asset, and warehouse management. 

• Demonstrated experience in human resources management, including recruitment, contract management, performance management, and staff administration. 

• Experience working in humanitarian, refugee, or emergency response settings. 

• Strong knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, internal controls, risk management, and compliance requirements. 

• Experience coordinating multiple support functions and working collaboratively with programme teams and senior management. 

• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

• Strong planning, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience using financial, HR, and supply chain management systems. 

• Experience working with international NGOs, UN agencies, or other donor-funded organizations. 

• Familiarity with donor compliance requirements, financial reporting, and operational procedures in humanitarian programmes. 

• Excellent verbal and written English. 

As a Manager, the post-holder will be responsible for the following:  

• Strategic accountability: Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the assigned area of responsibility.  

• Decision-making and resource management: Accountable for making significant decisions regarding the unit’s purpose, functions, and role, as well as commitments and decisions involving the expenditure of significant unit resources.  

• People management: Accountable for managing direct reports, generally comprising at least three employees. This includes recruitment and exit management, objective setting, probation management, performance appraisals, staff development, and performance management, including addressing poor performance.  

• Policy compliance and sound decision-making: Accountable for making informed and sound decisions in accordance with DRC policies, MOPs, applicable standards, and advice from DRC technical experts 

Desirable  

• Master’s degree in finance, Procurement, Human Resources, economics, development, law, or other related field.  

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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: M F2 

• Designation of Duty Station: Arua 

• Start date: January 2027 

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

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: 28th October 2026 

DRC does not solicit money for any part of its recruitment process. All recruitment is merit-based and follows HR best practices that are globally acceptable. Henceforth, should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it 

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.