Country Director

Are you an experienced Country Director able to lead and develop our country programme, which is operating in the centre of a highly volatile and sensitive environment? If yes, then this position might be for you.

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an International non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people worldwide.

DRC has been actively assisting people and communities affected by the current Syrian crisis since 2011, with programmes in support of Syrians in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and of course Syria.

The DRC Syria programme, headquartered in Damascus, currently have 7 expatriate staff and more than 70 national employees – some of which are based at the DRC Community Centres located in 5 different areas throughout the country. In addition to this, DRC has a network of more than 100 volunteers supporting DRC’s operations. 

The country funding for 2015 is expected between USD 20 and 25 million, with about 70% for emergency operations. Main donors are: DANIDA; ECHO; UNHCR, DFID, and OFDA.

About the job

The Country Director has overall responsibility for DRC operations in Syria and is responsible for consolidating and at the same time developing the programme, continuing the process of developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives and ensuring that the financial management and organizational setup is adapted to the operational context.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme development

• To develop and update the Syria programme strategy, within DRC/DDG’s overall regional and global strategic frameworks;
• Be a driving force in terms of developing the programme within the strategic objectives and not being constrained by the current limitations of existing programming;
• Ensure that DRC/DDG standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Management handbooks, HAP standards etc.) are followed.

• Ensure that the SMT members have clear and realistic performance based management goals;
• Overall management of the operation and direct manager for senior staff members. This includes coaching, ensuring co-ordination between managers, recruiting, and development of staff;
• Frequent travel to the field offices for direct operational support and representation;
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.

• Together with the Head of Finance & Administration, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC/DDG and donor requirements and ensuring that  necessary systems are in place.

• To hold overall responsibility for ensuring that DRC Syria programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner;
• Overall responsible for security, including development of and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring of the security situation, analysing and provision of recommendations.

• Act as representative for the programme to authorities, donors, partners, and in various co-ordination forums;
• Strengthen DRC/DDG’s position nationally and regionally;
• To ensure that DRC/DDG maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors.

• As the majority of the fundraising is done locally, the Country Director will lead the process of applying for funding and broadening the funding basis in a challenging funding environment;
• The Country Director will lead his/her team in writing concept papers, project proposals and budgets in line with the approved country strategy;
• To lead the team’s advocacy in all DRC/DDG key messages.

• To be responsible for ensuring that programmes comply with the organisational quality and accountability commitments.
• Guided by the Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities and our presence.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role you must have:

• Five years management experience, as head or senior member of humanitarian or development programme/organization;
• A Bachelor’s/ Masters’ degree in international relations, management, human rights, social science or related field or equivalent.
• Experienced with conflict related displacement issue;
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders;
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems;
• Hands on experience in managing staff in insecure/stressful locations and strong human resource management skills in general;
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts;
• Experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking;
• Experience of humanitarian advocacy is preferred.
• Fluency in spoken and written English required;
• Arabic language skills preferred.

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 act in line with our vision and values.

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a two-year contract. You must be available to start work from 1^st of December 2017 and be willing and able to work in Damascus, Syria.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.org under Vacancies. This position will be placed at A6 for Expatriates. R&R cycle of 8 weeks. Please note that this is a non-family duty station

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. 

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

Applications close 12 June 2017. 

Need further information?

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