Livelihoods Manager

Damascus, Syria

We are looking for a highly qualified individual to have overall responsibility for sustainable implementation of program activities within DRC Syria Programme.

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 Syria.  

The DRC Syria programme, operating from Damascus, currently has 10 expatriate staff and more than 80 national employees – some of which are based at the DRC Community Centres located in 6 different areas throughout the country. In addition to this, DRC has a network of more than 250 volunteers supporting DRC’s operations.   

About the job

Based in Damascus, the Livelihoods Programme Manager will be responsible for timely and quality management and supervision of all DRC’s activities related to livelihoods, including: livelihood counselling, vocational training, internships, productive workshops, asset replacements and micro-grants.

S/he will provide programmatic and operational oversight for the programme, implemented in DRC community centres, livelihoods facilities, and partner facilities. S/he will manage existing Livelihoods partnerships with Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and local authorities; and explore new partnerships as needed.

S/he will implement a cohesive Livelihoods HR strategy through the rollout of the Livelihoods competency framework, and cooperation with operational colleagues, to ensure a ‘fit for purpose’ field team.

S/he will lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting for the project in close coordination with the MEL Manager, and liaise with DRC grants and programme development colleagues to ensure grant deliverables for the different livelihoods projects.

The key focus of the coming period is application of research findings to existing programme design, systematization of programme information management and beneficiary ‘pathway’ through the Livelihoods pyramid of interventions.

The Livelihoods Manager reports to the Head of Programmes.

“DRC reserves the right to recruit a candidate prior to the application's deadline. So early applicants are highly appreciated.”

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic vision

• Refine the livelihoods strategy for DRC in Syria based on research findings and an analysis of the evolving context;
• Lead the implementation of the livelihoods strategy, including through the development and management of partnerships with key public and private sector actors.

  Programme management and activities implementation

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and DRC’s administrative, logistical, and financial procedures;
• Create, refine and execute work plans, spending plans and related systems to ensure that project deadlines are met and targets achieved;
• Oversee annual, monthly and weekly implementation plan development with team members;
• Oversee the development of organizational and technical standards operating procedures, training materials for DRC Livelihood staff;
• Coordinate with programmatic colleagues to ensure joint use of facilities, approach to HR/field staff, and joint programme improvement initiatives are aligned;
• Coordinate with and ensure support from operational functions including Finance, Logistics, HR, Safety, IT, Communications, and Administration.

  Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (in coordination with the MEL Manager)

• Systematize monitoring systems to ensure reporting, internal learning and appropriate program adjustments due to new opportunities/challenges;
• Implement selection criteria and supervise the selection of beneficiaries who will benefit from the livelihood activities;
• Engage with donor evaluation initiatives.

  Team Management

• Ensure that DRC SMT fulfils Operational and Partner related responsibilities to build a Livelihoods team which is ‘fit for purpose’, and ensures duty of care to field staff;
• Recruit, capacity build/train, and mentor programme staff according to the Livelihoods competency framework;
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the DRC’s livelihoods staff through regular supervision and feedback on performance;
• Undertake, document and follow up performance evaluation for all staff under her/his supervision and within the wider LLH team.

   

  Grant stewardship and reporting

• Participate in the production of grant deliverables (narrative reports, results trackers, BFU justifications) in coordination with the Head of Programme, Grant Managers, Programme Development Manager, MEL Manager, Operational teams, and Regional Livelihood Advisor.

  Coordination & Representation

• Promote relations and coordinate activities with other humanitarian actors, donors, UN, civil authorities, SARC, and private sector actors;
• Establish and maintain relationships with other NGOs, international organizations, government offices, particularly those working in Livelihoods;
• Actively participate in coordination mechanisms with network partners to ensure information sharing, coordination of interventions and enable meaningful intervention;
• Function as Damascus Hub Coordinator for the Livelihoods-focused Syria Resilience Consortium, including close cooperation with partner Handicap International.

About you

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. 

Moreover we also expect the following:

Required qualifications

• BA/BSc in a relevant area Project Management, International Cooperation, or Humanitarian Aid
• Fluent in both oral and written English
• Over three years of progressively responsible professional experience with an international NGO in strategy development, programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Minimum two years of Livelihood programming experience
• Two years of recent experience in Middle-East, preferably working on the Syrian Crisis
• Minimum two years of demonstrated professional experience and skill in donor liaison, partnership management and grant deliverables
• A capacity building and systematic approach, to ensure sustainability of the team and programme in the longer term.
• Solid experience in staff management in a cross-cultural environment required;
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience;
• Experience of EC compliance in restricted contexts
• Experience in complex emergencies and the ability to live and work in a restricted environment.

  Desirable qualifications

• Master degree in International Development / Community Development (is preferable)
• Notions of Arabic is desirable

We offer

 DRC will offer the successful applicant a 12 month contract, renewable dependent on performance. You must be willing and able to work in Damascus, Syria. 

For Expatriates, salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at level A13. 

Application process

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

 All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note.

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

Deadline to receive applications is July 31st 2017.

Need further information?

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