Head of Field Office, Mosul

Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), DRC apply a regional approach with operational presence in Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Iraq. 

Present in Iraq since 2003, DRC is today operational in the Kurdish governorates, in and around Baghdad and in several South-Central governorates. Focused both on the influx of Syrian refugees and the current IDP crisis, DRC is providing assistance in a range of sectors including Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Protection, Livelihoods, Emergency Response (including food security, cash, and NFIs), WASH, Shelter and Mine Action. The Iraq programme presently employs some 450 national staff and 45 international staff, and is growing to meet new, emerging needs associated with ongoing and recent conflict in multiple locations. 

About the job 

The Head of Field Office (HoFO), in coordination with the Head of Office of Erbil, has the overall responsibility for timely and quality implementation of the DRC’s operations in the Mosul area of responsibility (AoR). This includes the hands-on management of administrative and programmatic functions within the AoR. 

The Head of Field Office is responsible for planning, implementation and follow up of WASH, Shelter, Cash, Livelihoods, Protection and other activities/projects in the assigned area.  

In close coordination with Project Managers in other field offices, the Head of Head of Filed Office contributes to the harmonization of methodologies, tools and guidelines across the country and to the development of DRC’s strategies for Iraq. 

The Field Coordinator contributes to the fulfilment of the aims and objectives of DRC’s presence in Iraq.  

 

• Ensure timely and technically sounds planning, implementation and follow up on activities/projects, including budgets, in the assigned area(s);  

• Represent DRC before relevant donors, local authorities and coordination bodies in the AoR. 

• Analyse the specific local humanitarian context, needs, gaps and constraints and anticipate forthcoming movements and displacement-related trends, recommending appropriate adjustments to programme activities. 

• Monitor the progress of projects against work plans and provide appropriate support to project managers and staff to ensure that work plans are adjusted, as needed, and targets are met. 

• Ensure that M&E practices and tools are applied in all projects, in coordination with the M&E Coordinator. 

• Prepare and maintain up to date work plans and expenditure plans, in line with project and budget documents. 

• Prepare and submit regular qualitative and analytical reports within the given timeframe. 

• Under the supervision of the Head of Office Erbil and in coordination with relevant Project Managers, recruit, provide supervision, training and monitoring of the project staff (and other staff as appropriate), and undertake performance appraisals. 

• Ensure that project activities develop and are implemented in line with DRC’s mandate, policies, procedures and country strategy, as well as with donor requirements and national and international rules and guidelines. 

• Contribute to the development of proposals to secure follow on or expansion of funding for the Mosul portfolio in line with identified needs, strategic priorities and cluster guidance;  

• Monitor Staff performance and conduct to ensure compliance with job requirement and DRC Policies and values; 

• Monitor the security of DRC staff, assets and operations on the AoR, in coordination with the Head of Office, Safety Advisor and senior country management in Erbil. 

• Ensure the respect of DRC Code of Conduct, and humanitarian principles and contribute to the integration of protection mainstreaming into DRC Mosul programming. 

• Engage with relevant national and international actors and actively participate in relevant clusters, sectors and working groups and other meetings in the area of operations as well as at the sub-national and national level for the purposes of coordination, fundraising etc. 

 

To be successful in this role you must have: 

 

• University degree or higher education relevant to the technical work of WASH/Shelter, Livelihoods or Protection programming, or significant additional demonstrable past professional experience gained through field work. 

• Significant professional or practical knowledge of Shelter, WASH, Livelihoods and Protection strategies, policies and implementation modalities, including of multi-sector and/or multi-location grants.  

• Cultural and gender sensitivity, adaptability, willingness to travel. 

• High-level knowledge and practice with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. 

• Ability/willingness to work with extremely tight deadlines and multiple tasks. 

• Excellent written and spoken English required; Arabic an asset. 

• Willingness to follow security policies and procedures. 

 

• At least 5 years of management experience administering humanitarian multi-sector and multi-donor programs, with a strong focus and significant proven experience in programming in fragile environments, preferably including the Middle East. 

• Experience in international humanitarian work and IDP complex emergencies, including both camp and out-of-camp settings. 

• Experience with managing teams and providing technical guidance and training across several sectors of both programmes and operations. 

• Capacity to properly manage multiple project cycles with monitoring-focused skills. 

• Demonstrable experience in managing staff safety and programme security in insecure environments. 

• Strong proven experience in managing logistics, procurement, administrative and financial functions. 

 

• 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 act in line with our vision and values.  

 

DRC will offer the successful applicant a 6 month contract subject to extension based on performance and funding. You must be available to start work in June/July 2017 and be willing to live and work in Iraq. 

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. This position will be placed at A13-A14 DRC’s salary scale depending on experience. The R&R cycle for Erbil is every 12 weeks.  

 

Application process 

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applications must include a cover letter explaining your motivation for applying for this position and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. Applications without a cover/motivation letter will not be considered. 

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk  

Applications close 31 May 2017.  

 

Need further information? 

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