Program Quality Manager

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

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an International non-governmental organization, 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 programs in support of Syrians in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Syria. The DRC Syria program, operating from Damascus, currently has 9 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 200 volunteers supporting DRC’s operations.   

About the job

The growing complexity of the DRC operating environment in Syria, the statuary reporting requirements in a restricted access context, coupled with ongoing changes in the organization of the mission, make the cross-functional Program Quality and Information Management tasks increasingly  important  to  be  able  to ensure the quality of DRC’s programming,  pull  together  comprehensive  information  and  analysis  to  support   program design, and develop comprehensive MEL and IM systems to support operational and strategic decision making.

The overall objective of the Program Quality Manager will be to manage the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and Information Management department in order to support DRC Syria with quality programming and accountability towards beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders. The PQ Manager will be responsible for developing a MEL framework and protocols for each technical sector in line with the regional and country strategies, ensure harmonized and standardized systems and procedures across different areas of intervention as well as provide technical MEL guidance and leadership at all levels of the Country Program such as leading efforts to document progress, effectiveness and impact for donors reporting requirements, and for use in new project design. The position will also support the country program with ensuring  adherence to the Core Humanitarian Standards.

Under the management line of the PDQSM, the Program Quality Manager in close cooperation with the Program Managers, Head of Programs,  and Grant Managers will develop and manage the whole program quality framework (including, IM, and CHS) for DRC Program in Syria in order to improve program quality, monitoring performance and instrumentalize best practices and lessons learned.

Staff reporting to this post:

• Program Quality Coordinator
• IM Coordinator

  Duties and Responsibilities

1. Quality Management:
   • Coordinate the design and implementation of Quality Management strategy in  close collaboration with the Program teams and DRC’s HQ/Region-based technical referents including  tools development, data system and analysis, grants and reports writing, lessons learnt;
   • Coordinate with the Program teams and other relevant DRC’s stakeholders on project design, including gathering information relevant for program quality  for concept notes and proposals to input into the design of assessments and logframes, PQ plans in pursuit of high impact and cost effective program strategies and activities;
   • Provide leadership in developing a response-wide PQ strategy, with standard approaches and shared practices and systems;
   • Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to response-wide strategy development.
   •  Participate in project Kick-off meetings, review meetings and close-out meetings in order to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programs.
   •  Perform other duties as directed by the PDQSM. 
2. Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation of programs:
   • Ensure that DRC’s team members are supporting all efforts towards accountability, specifically to beneficiaries and in line international standards, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of DRC projects.
   • Orient the Information Management team in developing a computerized M&E system that inform and improve each project and link to the broader response-wide country program strategy;
   • Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on program outcome and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes;
   • Develop and improve systems that strengthen DRC’ ability to analyze, improve, and represent impact internally and externally and most of all to communities themselves;
   • Capacity build, train and support sectors and field staff to improve the field monitoring or any other monitoring needs 
   • Regularly present key M&E findings to the Senior Management Team for further development.  
3. Information Management:
   • Develop the online coordinated/integrated data management system/structure to centralize and facilitate timely information updates (Institutional Knowledge Building), data quality assurance (M&E), sharing of information and learning;
   • Be the country focal point for the implementation of DRC MENA’s regional Information Management system;
   • Manage the institutional knowledge and contributing to wider knowledge management across DRC.
4. Core Humanitarian Standards:
   • Assess gaps and work to support country and project level policies and practices to ensure DRC is compliant with the Core Humanitarian Standard.
   • Support the development of an organizational culture that reflects DRC mandate and values as a humanitarian organization.

      

     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. 

      

     Essential skills:

• Master’s degree in development economics, statistics, research methods, or a similar field.
• Exceptional command (written and spoken) of English. Arabic is a strong asset

• Excellent writing, analytical and strategic thinking skill, with proven ability to create and utilize qualitative and quantitative M&E methods and analyses in organizational planning
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary

  Essential experience:

• Minimum five years’ of technical experience in M&E, and information management in the humanitarian sector including at least one year experience in complex emergencies
• Proven experience in effectively working with a variety of donors’ requirements including DFID, UNHCR, ECHO and OFDA.
• Experience working in limited access contexts
• Previous management experience

  Preferred attributes:

• Familiarity with the Whole of Syria – Damascus Hub context

   

  Competency profile

  • Ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment
  • Capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs
  • Ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy
  • Ability to manage ambiguity, frustration and stress in self and others
  • Confident and decisive leadership
  • Desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required
  • Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend DRC’s interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations and other groups

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. 

Syrian nationals will be offered a national contract. 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 A14 or A13 depending on experience. 

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  October 2nd 2017, however, candidates will be assessed on a rolling basis.  

Need further information?

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