Head of Field Office / Early Recovery Programme Manager

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. 

 

Under the supervision of the Head of Office (Duhok), the Head of Field Office / Early Recovery Programme Manager has responsibility for the timely delivery of DRC’s Livelihood Projects in the Area of Responsibility (AoR).  

The Head of Field Office Office / Early Recovery Programme Manager leads on local level representation within Northern Ninewa sub-districts and is responsible for the smooth running of local support services including management of finance, admin, HR, logistics and security, with support and oversight from the technical leads for these services in Duhok.The Head of Field Office / Early Recovery Programme Manager contributes to the harmonization of project design, methodologies, tools and proposals to ensure there is a consistent and coherent approach to Early Recovery programming within the AoR.The Head of Field Office contributes to the fulfilment of the aims and objectives of DRC’s presence in Iraq through other tasks as required and/or directed by the Head of Office (Duhok) 

 

• Ensure timely and technically sound planning, implementation and follow up Community Driven Reconstruction & Development activities which focus on livelihoods and social cohesion issues. This includes budget management, work planning and reporting  

• Represent DRC before relevant donors, local authorities and coordination bodies in the AoR under the direction of the HoO Duhok. 

• Analyse the specific local context, needs, gaps and constraints and anticipate forthcoming movements and displacement-related trends, recommending appropriate adjustments to Early Recovery 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 Team in Duhok and the M&E Manager in the Erbil Coordination Office. 

• Prepare and maintain up to date work plans and expenditure plans for CDRD projects focusing on Livelihoods and Social Cohesion, in line with project and budget documents; 

• Ensure submission of regular qualitative and analytical reports for CDRD projects within the given timeframe; 

• Support recruitment as appropriate, of new staff and performance appraisals when appropriate; 

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

• Contribute to the development of Early Recovery programme project proposals, in particular those relating to CDRD and/or Livelihoods to secure follow on or expansion funding for the northern Ninewa portfolio in line with identified needs, strategic priorities and cluster guidance;  

• Ensure an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach is applied in the AoR and to all projects consistently applied through community and rights based participatory methods through which protection is mainstreamed;  

• Monitor staff performance and conduct to ensure compliance with job requirements and DRC policies and values (including Code of Conduct). 

• Monitor the security of DRC staff, assets and operations on the AoR under the supervision of the HoO Duhok, in coordination with the National Safety Officer in Duhok and DRC Safety Advisor in Erbil Coordination Office.  

• Ensure the respect of DRC Code of Conduct, the confidentiality and humanitarian principles and contribute to the integration of and AGD mainstreaming into programming in the AoR; 

• Engage with relevant national and international actors and actively participate in relevant clusters, sectors and working groups and other meetings in the AoR or in Duhok as needed, to support coordination, fundraising etc. 

 

To be successful in this role you must have: 

 

• University degree or higher education in Politics, Social Sciences, Peacebuilding, Livelihoods or similar relevant field, or significant additional demonstrable past professional experience gained through field work  

• Significant professional or practical knowledge of Livelihoods and/or Community Driven Development including the use of cash as an implementing modality. Experience in other relevant sectors such as Protection is an asset 

• Cultural and gender sensitivity, adaptability, willingness to travel and willingness to live in a remote site with limited social and recreational options 

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Kurdish or Arabic is an asset 

 

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible management experience administering development, early recovery and/or humanitarian projects, with a strong focus on Livelihoods in particular, preferably including in the Middle East. 

• Experience with providing management oversight, technical support and training to programme staff across several sectors, in particular livelihoods. 

• 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. 

 

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.  

 

DRC will offer the successful applicant a 1 year contract subject to extension based on performance and funding. You must be available to start work in September 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 21 September 2017.  

 

 

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